Data Scientist

Company Intelligence

Peraton is a next-generation national security company specializing in mission-critical IT, cybersecurity, and transformative enterprise solutions across land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace domains. It operates as the world’s leading mission capability integrator, serving U.S. government agencies and all branches of the armed forces, with revenue between $5B-$10B USD and more than 10,000 employees. Headquartered in Reston, VA, it supports remote and hybrid work models, as seen in roles requiring partial on-site presence (e.g., 2 days/week in Columbus, OH). Recent news highlights competitive government contract pursuits, including a lost GAO protest on a $1.5B STRATCOM IT contract to GDIT, questions over a Strategic Command program loss alleging conflicts of interest, and hiring a SAIC/CACI veteran as chief growth officer to drive enterprise growth. Employee reviews note a 3.1/5 overall rating, with strengths in compensation/benefits (3.2/5) and remote opportunities, but lower scores in management (2.8/5), job security (2.9/5), and culture (3.0/5); culture emphasizes Northrop Grumman-inherited leadership philosophy, transparency on contracts, and mission focus, though some cite inexperienced management and limited training budgets. Peraton's mission prioritizes protecting the nation and allies through differentiated technologies; it values diverse, innovative professionals in high-stakes environments. Office locations include Reston, VA (HQ), Columbus, OH (hybrid), Washington, DC, McLean, VA, St. Louis, MO, Springfield, VA, and Basking Ridge, NJ (Peraton Labs). Note: No specific internship/graduate programs for Data Scientist roles (18-25 age group) appear in current searches; Peraton posts junior/entry-level tech roles like Junior Cloud Engineer, but the linked Indeed URL points to mid-level remote Data Scientist jobs, not student-focused programs. Target early-career paths via their careers site (careers.peraton.com) for clearances-required national security roles.

Program Deep Dive

No dedicated Data Scientist internship/graduate program details found for students/recent grads; Peraton's postings emphasize mid/junior roles in data science, AI/ML, cloud, and cybersecurity within national security contexts. For similar junior tech positions (e.g., Junior Cloud Engineer), expect structure around optimizing cloud strategies, sensor integration, or big data for law enforcement/government clients. Skills sought: Analytical mindset, business process analysis, cloud/big data experience, SIEM/EDR/SOAR tools for cybersecurity; basic quals often include detail-orientation and stakeholder collaboration. Daily responsibilities in analogous roles: monitoring networks, analyzing anomalies, gathering requirements, supporting IT solutions. Learning/mentorship: Limited training budgets noted in reviews; enhanced benefits for national security programs include PTO and bonuses, but contract-dependent promotions are rare. Career paths lead to senior systems engineering or growth roles, often requiring Top Secret/SCI clearances.

Application Success Guide

Requirements/deadlines: Not specified for internships; mid-level Data Scientist roles via Indeed require relevant experience (e.g., Python, ML for Peraton Labs). Check careers.peraton.com for junior postings—no fixed deadlines, apply promptly as contingent on awards. Process: Submit via careers.peraton.com or Indeed; expect resume screening for clearances eligibility, then interviews (rated average difficulty). Reviews indicate transparent contract discussions. Interview questions: Prepare for behavioral (e.g., "Describe bridging business/tech gaps") and technical (e.g., cloud optimization, anomaly detection via SIEM). Company-specific: national security scenarios, mission impact. Assessments: Likely case studies on data analysis or cybersecurity threats; no assessment centers noted. Standout traits: Clearance eligibility, government contract awareness, passion for critical infrastructure defense.

Insider Tips

Peraton values mission-driven innovators over pure academics—demonstrate national security knowledge (e.g., STRATCOM contracts, DISA recompetes). Technical skills (cloud, AI/ML, data tools) prioritized 60/40 over soft skills like stakeholder communication, but highlight both. Show industry insight: U.S. defense IT trends, cyber threats across domains. Questions to ask: "How does this role contribute to recent growth initiatives like enterprise IT awards?" or "What clearance path do you recommend for early-career hires?" Red flags: Ignoring security clearance needs, vague mission interest, or expecting heavy training (budgets tight). Avoid overemphasizing salary—focus on impact.

Practical Information

Salary/stipend: Entry-level analogs ~$95K-$114K (e.g., Software Engineer $95K, Systems Engineer $114K); adjust for remote/junior. National security roles offer subsidized benefits, 25 PTO days, bonuses. Benefits: Heavily subsidized health for critical programs, remote flexibility. Duration/start: Not program-specific; junior roles project-based, often 1+ years, contingent on contracts—apply year-round. Networking: Leverage 1.1K+ job openings for alumni connections; reviews praise client range for career growth. Search LinkedIn for Peraton early-career employees in data/cloud.