Principal Data Scientist

Title:  Principal Data Scientist 
Location: Remote
Clearance: Public Trust Eligibility

Who We Are

Rackner is a fast-growing software consultancy specializing in cloud-native solutions for startups, enterprises, and the public sector. We are passionate about solving complex problems through cutting-edge technologies, focusing on application development, DevSecOps, AI/ML, and systems architecture. Our innovation-first, cloud-first approach empowers organizations across a diverse range of industries.

Position Overview

Rackner is seeking an experienced and visionary Principal Data Scientist  to lead our talented and dynamic team.
In this senior leadership role, you will combine technical expertise, business acumen, and leadership capabilities to collaborate with senior stakeholders. Your focus will be to understand and define client needs in Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML).
You will ensure our Data Science team has the skills, tools, and resources to solve complex challenges, while playing a pivotal role in Rackner’s growth in AI, ML, and data-driven services.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a high-performing team of data scientists, ML engineers, solution architects, and data engineers
• Collaborate directly with clients to gather requirements and translate them into innovative solutions
• Develop and oversee enterprise-scale data science initiatives from ideation to deployment
• Drive adoption of best practices in statistical modeling, ML, AI development, and MLOps
• Act as a thought leader, guiding Rackner’s strategic growth in AI/ML service areas
• Mentor and develop talent across the organization, fostering innovation and continuous learning
• Manage development, testing, and production environments for the CDRH Analytics Platform
• Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines for software and ML model deployment
• Ensure scalability, reliability, and performance of large-scale regulatory document processing systems
• Implement monitoring and alerting systems for platform performance and model drift
• Collaborate with FDA IT teams to ensure security and regulatory compliance
• Support management and planning initiatives for data science and AI projects

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related quantitative field
• 12+ years of experience in data science or a closely related field
• 8+ years designing and delivering enterprise-level data science solutions
• 5+ years managing technical teams of 10+ members

Technical Proficiency

• Expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and AI techniques
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or R; experience with pandas, NumPy, etc.
• Hands-on experience with TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn
• Deep knowledge of big data technologies (Hadoop, Spark) and data warehousing solutions
• Strong experience working with AWS services (Athena, S3, Glue, SageMaker, Comprehend)
• Familiarity with MLOps tools (e.g., MLflow, Kubeflow) and cloud-native deployment

Project Management Expertise

• Proven ability to manage large, complex projects in dynamic environments
• Practical experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies and project management tools

Leadership and Soft Skills

• Strong ability to mentor, motivate, and lead high-performing teams
• Exceptional communication skills with technical and executive audiences
• Strategic thinker with excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting health-related organizations (e.g., FDA, CMS, NIH, CDC, VA, Defense Health Agency)
• Familiarity with workflow management tools (Kanban, Scrum)
• Understanding of data challenges and regulations in the federal healthcare sector

Additional Information / Benefits

Rackner invests in employee development and success. Our benefits include:

• 401(k) with 100% company match up to 6%
• Highly competitive Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Comprehensive health insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Life Insurance and Short- & Long-Term Disability coverage
• Industry-leading weekly pay schedule
• Home office and equipment reimbursement plan
• Fitness/Gym membership eligibility
• Employee swag, snacks, and company events