# Staff Data Scientist

**Company:** [DuckDuckGo](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/duckduckgo)
**Location:** Remote
**Role:** Data Science
**Salary:** $222k – $222k/yr
**Experience:** 10+ years
**Skills:** Data Science, Machine Learning, Python, SQL, NLP, LLMs, Search Ranking, Information Retrieval, Elasticsearch, Opensearch, Solr, Vespa, Query Optimization, Ai-Assisted Development
**Posted:** 2026-08-19

> Staff Data Scientist driving search ranking and results improvements through machine learning, NLP, evaluation, and ranking-signal development. Requires 10+ years of data science experience, staff-level leadership, production ML deployment, Python, and advanced SQL skills.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Improve search engine ranking quality and results, including first-phase ranking precision while maintaining latency.
- Develop lexical-matching and document-authority signals.
- Expand search evaluations to measure relevancy readiness and identify ranking blind spots.
- Investigate large language models for feature generation and ranking.
- Lead complex data science projects from scoping through production with minimal direction.
- Advise others on complex data science work and develop strategies for ambiguous problems.
- Collaborate with product teams to improve overall team throughput.

## Requirements
- **10+ years** of experience in data science.
- **2+ years** at Staff, Principal, or Director level.
- Experience deploying machine learning models in production.
- Experience developing natural language processing solutions and with AI-assisted development.
- Production-grade Python or comparable high-level programming language skills.
- Advanced SQL and query optimization skills.

## Nice-to-haves
- Experience leading search-specific projects involving ranking, retrieval, or indexing.
- Experience with large-scale search infrastructure such as Vespa, Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, or Solr.

## Compensation and Benefits
- **$222,033 USD annually** and stock options.
- Compensation is identical within professional levels regardless of geographic location or team.
- Paid parental leave, office setup support, and co-working allowances.
- Company-sponsored health benefits are limited to team members based in the United States.

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