# Lead Data Scientist

**Company:** [Apartment List](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/apartment-list)
**Location:** Remote
**Role:** ML Engineering
**Salary:** $161k – $230k/yr
**Experience:** 4+ years
**Skills:** Python, SQL, Machine Learning, scikit-learn, xgboost, TensorFlow, PyTorch, GCP, A/B Testing, Causal Inference, MLOps, Airflow, dbt
**Posted:** 2026-07-28

> Lead Data Scientist building and deploying production ML models for a two-sided rental marketplace. Own end-to-end projects in ranking, personalization, renter intent, demand and supply optimization using Python, SQL, and ML frameworks. 4+ years experience required.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Translate customer, marketplace, and business problems into clear ML objectives, features, models, and measurement plans.
- Build, deploy, and iterate on production machine learning models across ranking, personalization, renter intent, demand-side acquisition, and supply-side optimization.
- Own projects end-to-end — from feature engineering and model development through A/B experimentation, launch, and monitoring.
- Apply a strong statistical mindset to model development, evaluation, causal inference, and tradeoff analysis.
- Partner with Product, Engineering, and Analytics to align on success metrics, deployment plans, and downstream impact.
- Communicate technical findings and model tradeoffs clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Leverage AI tools to improve your productivity across coding, analysis, documentation, and workflow automation.

## Requirements
- 4+ years of industry experience developing and deploying machine learning models in production, end-to-end.
- A degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
- Deep proficiency in Python and SQL, with comfort across the full model development lifecycle.
- Familiarity with standard ML libraries and frameworks such as scikit-learn, XGBoost, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar.
- Experience working with cloud platforms (GCP preferred but not required).
- Strong grounding in statistical learning, experimental design, and model evaluation.
- Ability to work through feature engineering, feature selection, hyperparameter tuning, and model optimization independently.
- Comfort communicating and collaborating with cross-functional partners across Product, Engineering, and Analytics.

## Nice-to-Haves
- Experience in a two-sided marketplace or multi-stakeholder environment.
- Background in recommendation systems, ranking, personalization, or search.
- Familiarity with MLOps practices, model monitoring, Airflow, dbt, or similar infrastructure.
- Experience with performance marketing models, paid acquisition, or supply-side optimization.
- A master’s degree or higher in a relevant quantitative field.

## Compensation
- Zone 1: $189,000 - $230,000 TTC (including $170,000 - $202,000 base salary) + equity
- Zone 2: $175,000 - $212,000 TTC (including $158,000 - $186,000 base salary) + equity
- Zone 3: $161,000 - $195,000 TTC (including $145,000 - $172,000 base salary) + equity
- Competitive Compensation: Including annual salary, pre-IPO stock options, and other financial compensation (if applicable)
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage: 100% of premiums covered for you AND all of your dependents
- Unlimited Flexible Time Off: Unlimited FTO in addition to 12 company holidays per year, quarterly “recharge” days, and a week-long holiday break
- Home Office Reimbursement: To cover home office furniture and supplies, monthly home internet, and monthly cell phone (if applicable)
- Health & Wellness Reimbursement: To cover monthly gym membership or other qualifying expenses
- Parental Support: Generous parental and family leave, fertility benefits, and employer-sponsored stipends towards family forming services
- 401k Plan: To support you in your individual retirement goals

## Similar roles

- [Applied Value Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/4fa72344-db01-42dd-b419-64fa8fb5efdc) - Celonis - Redwood City, CA - $161k – $191k/yr
- [Sr. Machine Learning Engineer, Computer Vision](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/90384460-df20-4873-a88f-b04cceaded14) - Pinterest - Remote - $161k – $332k/yr
- [Senior ML/AI Modeler, Risk Automation Machine Learning](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/09f07e2f-e03b-44e9-86c6-8c9e246aaa4b) - Square - Remote - $161k – $284k/yr
- [Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Model Risk Management](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/9d21de81-f24a-4bfe-a7eb-23de1883c632) - Square - Remote - $161k – $284k/yr
- [Senior Software Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/8a0c6481-9d4a-4223-b6af-3f21aa213cc1) - SpotOn - Chicago, IL - $160k – $190k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/2ff620e8-618b-401a-b2e4-73820695a7b9
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/2ff620e8-618b-401a-b2e4-73820695a7b9