Lead Data Scientist

Azooa is preparing a response for LH-06989 – Lead Data Scientist with the Department of Defence, supporting the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation within the Defence Intelligence Group. Azooa is seeking suitably qualified contractors with strong experience in data science, AI/ML, advanced analytics, computer vision, geospatial analytics, solution architecture and stakeholder-facing analytical delivery.

Position Title

Lead Data Scientist – AI/ML, Advanced Analytics and GEOINT

Overview

This role will support AGO’s Data Innovation and Analytics Directorate, a specialist team delivering analytical support to AGO’s intelligence and production areas.

The Directorate’s focus is to transform analytic workflows by increasing automation and augmentation through the application of data science, machine analytics and advanced analytical methods. The successful contractor will work with stakeholders to understand analytic requirements and deliver tools, models and methodologies that enable more efficient, innovative and data-driven outcomes.

Core Purpose

The core purpose of this role is to design, coordinate, develop and integrate advanced analytic solutions that exploit AGO’s data holdings in support of business and intelligence requirements.

The role requires a Lead-level Data Scientist who can operate under limited direction, take technical responsibility across analytic development activities, and contribute to improved data science processes, solution architectures and machine learning outcomes.

Scope / Responsibilities

The contractor will be expected to:

• Work under limited direction as part of a team developing advanced analytics, tools and techniques.
• Design, coordinate, develop and integrate advanced analytic solutions.
• Evaluate the need for analytics and assess the business or operational problems to be solved.
• Identify appropriate internal or external data sources to use or acquire.
• Specify and apply mathematical, statistical, predictive modelling and machine learning techniques.
• Analyse data, generate insights, create value and support decision-making.
• Review the benefits and value of analytics tools and techniques and recommend improvements.
• Take technical responsibility across planning, delivery and communication of analytic methods, tools and techniques.
• Contribute to leadership efforts to improve data science processes and analytical techniques.
• Support the development of solution architectures in data analysis and exploitation.
• Identify and evaluate alternative architectures, including trade-offs in cost, performance and scalability.
• Identify system interdependencies and work with system stakeholders to resolve conflicts.
• Coordinate integrated solutions across technical and business stakeholder groups.
• Document technical processes in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Build productive working relationships across project teams, business partners and stakeholder groups.

Key Deliverables

Expected deliverables may include:

• Advanced analytic models, tools and techniques aligned to AGO business requirements.
• AI/ML solutions that exploit AGO data holdings.
• Computer vision models for a range of targets and imagery types.
• Statistical, mathematical and predictive modelling outputs.
• Data analysis and exploitation solution architectures.
• Technical documentation, process documentation and analytic design artefacts.
• Assessment of data sources, analytical requirements and problem definitions.
• Recommendations on improved analytics techniques, tools and processes.
• Integrated solutions coordinated with system stakeholders.
• Technical advice and communication of analytical outcomes to technical and non-technical audiences.

Mandatory / Essential Criteria

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Proven experience designing, coordinating, developing and integrating sophisticated analytic solutions.
• Extensive experience in data analysis.
• Strong capability in architecting and developing analytic solutions.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams of technical and non-technical personnel.
• Demonstrated high-level interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate analytical results using appropriate methods for a range of audiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge in the application and integration of machine learning approaches.
• Current or recent experience with emerging data science and machine learning technologies.
• Ability to develop computer vision models for varied targets and imagery types.
• Ability to work under limited direction in a Lead / EL1-equivalent capacity.
• Strong technical documentation and process documentation capability.
• Ability to contribute to value-for-money outcomes through strong capability, relevant experience and past performance.

Desirable Criteria

Highly desirable experience includes:

• Demonstrated knowledge of geospatial analysis.
• Prior Defence, intelligence, geospatial-intelligence, national security or secure government environment experience.
• Experience supporting GEOINT, imagery analysis, geospatial data exploitation or mission-focused analytics.
• Experience with computer vision applied to imagery, geospatial datasets or operational targets.
• Experience developing scalable data science or ML solution architectures.
• Experience translating complex analytical outputs into clear insights for decision-makers.
• Familiarity with secure Defence or intelligence environments.
• Experience working with large data holdings, automation and analytic workflow improvement.

Engagement Details

• RFQ ID: LH-06989
• Role: Lead Data Scientist
• Buyer: Department of Defence
• Organisation: Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation
• Group: Defence Intelligence Group
• Directorate: Data Innovation and Analytics Directorate
• Experience level: Lead – EL1 equivalent
• Location: Russell Offices, Canberra ACT
• Working arrangement: Onsite
• Maximum hours: 37.5 hours per week
• Estimated start date: 20 July 2026
• Initial contract duration: 12 months
• Extension options: Two extensions of 12 months each

Clearance Requirements

• Candidate must be able to obtain Positive Vetting.
• Australian citizenship and suitability for Defence security clearance processes will be important.
• Candidates with an active high-level Defence security clearance or prior secure Defence/intelligence environment experience will be strongly positioned.

RFQ Relevance

This opportunity is highly relevant for contractors with experience in:

• Lead data science
• Advanced analytics
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Computer vision
• Predictive modelling
• Statistical and mathematical modelling
• Data exploitation
• Solution architecture
• Geospatial analysis
• GEOINT or imagery analytics
• Defence, intelligence or national security analytics
• Stakeholder-facing technical delivery

Candidates who can demonstrate strong AI/ML delivery, advanced analytics design, computer vision experience and the ability to communicate complex analytical outcomes to mixed audiences will be well aligned to the assessment criteria.

Rate Guidance

• Maximum rate: $144.29/hour including super
• Azooa recommended competitive range: $125–$135/hour including super

How Azooa Can Support You

Azooa can support you with:

• Positioning your profile to maximise win probability
• Helping align your rate with market expectations
• Assisting with tailored responses and submission strategy
• Providing access to similar Defence and Federal Government opportunities