Principal Data Scientist

We are seeking a Principal Data Scientist to serve as the technical leader for our client's Data Science function. This individual contributor role defines best practices and data science architecture while mentoring the team to raise technical quality. Data Scientists work embedded within Product Squads, reporting to the VP or Product Management. As the Principal Data Scientist, you will strengthen the impact of each squad through hands-on guidance, standards, and complex problem-solving

Key Responsibilities

• Define and evolve data science with the best practices, modeling standards, and technical architecture.
• Establish scalable patterns for model development, experimentation, feature management, and production deployment.
• Provide technical mentorship to Data Scientists working within Product Squads, elevating solution quality, rigor, and production readiness.
• Lead complex, high-impact data science initiatives in partnership with Product Squads and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Partner with Engineering and Data Engineering to ensure solutions are robust, scalable, and aligned with broader data and platform architecture.
• Champion model governance, monitoring, responsible AI, and maintainable production practices.
• Evaluate and recommend new methods, tools, and approaches for adoption.
• Serve as a technical escalation point and thought partner for advanced modeling and architecture challenges.

• 8+ years of experience in data science or applied machine learning, including production delivery.
• Experience defining technical standards or architecture for a data science team.
• Strong track record of mentoring and raising the technical capability of other data scientists.
• Deep expertise in AI statistical modeling, machine learning, and experimental design.
• Experience in AI Engineering (AI/LLM models) and Operations Research, in production environments with business and customer impact.
• Hands-on proficiency with modern data science tooling and production patterns.
• Ability to influence without authority and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field (CS, Math, Statistics, etc.) or equivalent experience
• Advanced degree, such as an MSBA or PhD, preferred.

• Applying agentic AI to design autonomous workflows, accelerate solution development, and drive measurable operational efficiency gains.
• Advanced statistical modeling, machine learning, and experimental design.
• Data science architecture and end-to-end solution design.
• Technical mentoring and knowledge transfer.
• Knowledge and experience with Python, SQL, Sklearn, PyTorch, Databricks, Snowflake, and Terraform in an Azure environment.
• Model development, validation, and productionising practices.
• Systems thinking across data, modeling, and infrastructure.
• Stakeholder communication and technical
• Use-case discovery and prioritization — identifying high-value business problems and framing them as rigorous, solvable data science opportunities.

• Strong ownership mindset focused on raising the technical bar.
• Ability to balance deep hands-on work with standards and architecture leadership.
• Clear communicator and effective coach.
• Collaborative, pragmatic, and low-ego technical leader.
• Continuous learner who stays current with advances in data science and AI.

• Prior Principal, Staff, or equivalent senior individual contributor experience
• Background establishing MLOps, feature stores, or model governance practices
• Experience operating in product-oriented or squad-based team structures

We champion equality and inclusivity, proudly supporting an Equal Opportunity Employer policy. We welcome applicants regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other status protected by law.