Lead Data Scientist

***Candidates MUST BE located on the East Coast only to be eligible for this job. This is a W2 job!Title: Lead Data Scientist Terms of EmploymentW2 Contract: 12-Month (Extension Possible)Location: Remote - EST Candidates ONLYThe selected candidate must be comfortable traveling to Reston, VA at their own expense twice per year for PI Planning.Overview & Responsibilities Work with a leading organization to define and drive the next generation of their Artificial Intelligence portfolio. We are seeking a Lead Data Scientist who is a "vocal leader" and technical visionary. Unlike traditional architect roles that focus solely on diagrams, this position requires a deep-rooted background in hands-on data science and machine learning. You will be the primary strategist, conducting hands-on experimentation to stitch together complex AI components including LLMs, vector databases, and orchestration frameworks to create proven architectures that data science teams will build and deploy.You will Design end-to-end AI architectures, selecting appropriate LLMs, vector databases (Kendra, MongoDB), and prompting strategies.Conduct hands-on technical experimentation and validation to "stitch together" components from AWS and other sources.Provide proven technical blueprints and guidance to data scientists and engineers for production implementation.Act as a technical driver and vocal leader, guiding teams and communicating complex AI solutions to stakeholders.Evaluate and implement emerging technologies such as LangChain, LangGraph, and Agentic AI solutions.Required Qualifications8-10 years of intensive experience in Data Science and Machine Learning Engineering.Proven experience as a Lead Data Scientist or AI Architect with a strong focus on technical design.Deep knowledge of AI orchestration and frameworks (e.g., LangChain, LangGraph, MCP).2-3 years of experience designing solutions within the AWS AI/ML stack, specifically using Bedrock and SageMaker.Exceptional communication skills with a "vocal leader" personality; ability to drive projects across multi-functional teams.Ability to travel to Reston, VA for periodic planning sessions.Preferred Qualifications1-2 years of experience in Data or Solution Architecture.Experience with Generative AI and Agentic AI implementations.Familiarity with Vector Databases such as AWS Kendra or MongoDB and relational databases like AWS Aurora.