Junior Data Solutions Architect

About Shift5

Shift5 is building the data platform for onboard operational technology (OT). We deliver cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance capabilities that enable defense and commercial fleets to operate with greater readiness, resilience, and mission assurance.

We are seeking a mission-aligned Junior Data Solutions Architect to collaborate with customers and internal stakeholders to generate critical, data-driven insights.

This role sits cross-functionally across Mission Operations, Mission Delivery, Solution Engineering, and Systems and Core Engineering, playing a pivotal role in taking complex business problems, deconstructing them into testable hypotheses, and leveraging data to deliver actionable solutions.

This is a dynamic, collaborative role requiring a "no task too small" mindset, an eagerness for mentorship, and a meticulous approach to data analysis and problem-solving.

What You''ll Do

• Perform structured data analyses under senior guidance to extract actionable insights and solve key customer problems.
• Utilize statistical tools and software to identify patterns, trends, and anomalies in complex data sets for diagnostic and predictive support.
• Assist in identifying customer problem sets, prioritizing issues, scoping solution requirements, and analyzing problem manifestations in data.
• Support the development of testable hypotheses, identify required data sources, and assist in the creation and execution of testing suites.
• Translate analytical workflows into modular, reusable components for data science capabilities and services, helping generalize targeted solutions back into Shift5 core capabilities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with programmers, engineers, project leads, and internal stakeholders to identify process improvements, support system updates, and execute data strategies.

What We're Looking For

Required:

• 1-2 years of industry experience, or equivalent practical research experience demonstrated through undergraduate laboratory research or technical coursework.
• Coachability: A humble receptiveness to mentorship, guidance, direction, and constructive feedback or correction.
• Ability to learn how to break down unstructured, ambiguous, and complex problems into smaller, manageable parts.
• Aptitude in a generic analytics coding language (e.g., Python, R, SQL, MATLAB).
• Data analysis skills, including the ability to identify data types and technical tests required to validate hypotheses.
• Willingness to learn to articulate the business impact of data analysis and connect findings directly to decision points.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of clearly and efficiently presenting technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Confidence to admit when you''re wrong and ask for help.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% of the time (US only).

Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience contributing to end-to-end, guided project execution from problem definition to final deliverable.
• Exposure to time-series data analysis.
• A foundational formal education in data science or a related field (with emphasis on linear algebra, computation, and statistics).
• Industry exposure in defense, aerospace, cybersecurity, or mechanical engineering.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $90,000 - $110,000

• Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families

• Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions

• Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance

• Uncapped paid time off policy

• Flexible work & remote work policy

• Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)

We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that embraces the diversity of our people and represents the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives and ways of solving problems. We strive to attract and retain talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Shift5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, age, marital status, ancestry, projected veteran status, or any other protected group or class.

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