The Data Scientist is responsible for managing cloud database administration while demonstrating expertise and proficiency in big data tools (e.g., SQL, Python, R, and SAS), along with a strong background in data visualization for the AAR. This high-impact role will drive data analytics, automation, and storytelling to enhance AAR’s internal data capabilities and support key economic and policy analyses.
Nature and Scope
Reporting to the Manager of Economic Analysis and Policy, this role is an exciting opportunity for a data-driven professional to shape AAR’s analytics and data infrastructure, ensuring that data science plays a critical role in advancing freight rail policy and economic research.
Principal Accountabilities
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Database Management & Automation: Oversee and maintain AAR’s centralized Azure database, ensuring data integrity, security, and efficiency. Automate data ingestion, transformation, and reporting workflows
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Data Analytics & Insights: Manage and analyze large, structured and unstructured datasets, applying advanced statistical and querying methods. Develop high-quality, data-driven insights to inform policy and economic research
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Technical Leadership & Collaboration: Act as the primary technical liaison between the Policy & Economics team and AAR’s IT department, aligning database architecture with business needs. Provide mentorship to data fellows
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Data Processing & Quality Assurance: Design and implement data validation processes to ensure accuracy and consistency in weekly and monthly reports
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Problem-Solving & Troubleshooting: Identify inefficiencies, optimize data workflows, and resolve issues related to scripting, automation, and big data processing
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Data Storytelling & Visualization: Translate complex datasets into actionable insights and develop effective data visualizations for key stakeholders
Qualifications
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M.S. in Data Science, Economics, Machine Learning, Operations Research, or a related quantitative field
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5+ years of experience in large-scale database management, design, and automation. Experience with Microsoft Azure (Azure Functions, Power Automate, Data Factory, Synapse, SQL Server, or related cloud technologies) is strongly preferred
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Proficiency in SQL (writing and optimizing queries, working with large databases)
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Hands-on experience with Python and R for data manipulation, ETL processes, automation, and statistical modeling
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Strong expertise in data wrangling, cleaning, transformation, and integration across multiple sources. Expertise in data analytics and visualization
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Ability to break down complex problems into actionable steps and drive solutions independently
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Strong communication skills to collaborate across teams and present data-driven insights effectively
About AAR
Founded in 1934 and located just a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall, AAR is a top-tier trade association representing major freight and passenger railroads operating in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. In addition to representing its members on legislative and regulatory policy matters, AAR sets standards for rail cars and rail car components, certifies manufacturing and repair facilities, and audits facilities for compliance. Its research subsidiary, MxV Rail, headquartered in Pueblo, Colorado, is the world’s leading railroad research facility, undertaking cutting-edge research for railroads and their suppliers from around the world. AAR’s information technology subsidiary, Railinc, located in Cary, North Carolina, provides IT services to the railroad industry. For more information on AAR and its subsidiaries, see www.aar.org.
AAR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.
