Skip to content

Principal Data Scientist, Detection

Leads research and strategy for Internet-scale fraud, abuse, and bot detection models, including measurement under ambiguous ground truth. Requires 8–10 years of data science, ML engineering, or software engineering experience and strong Python, SQL, statistics, and machine learning expertise.

About the job

Responsibilities

  • Lead research, design, and evaluation of detection models identifying automated, fraudulent, and malicious activity across Internet-scale data.
  • Mentor others in uncovering patterns and behaviors that distinguish adversaries from legitimate users.
  • Own the detection measurement framework, defining metrics and evaluation strategies for noisy, delayed, or contested ground truth.
  • Drive adoption of promising AI and machine learning techniques and represent the company in the broader research community.
  • Build cross-functional partnerships with ML Engineers, Data Engineers, and Product teams; influence roadmaps and align detection strategy with company priorities.
  • Shape long-term detection strategy by identifying gaps and opportunities across multiple product areas.

Requirements

  • 8–10 years of professional experience in Data Science, ML Engineering, or Software Engineering.
  • Experience with fraud, abuse, and/or bot detection on large, high-velocity traffic.
  • Strong applied statistics, machine learning, and AI methodology fundamentals.
  • Fluency with large-scale data.
  • Ability to make ambiguous, high-stakes technical decisions with incomplete information.
  • Production experience with Python and SQL.
  • Strong programming and engineering best practices in research and production code.

Nice-to-haves

  • Experience working with weak, delayed, absent, or otherwise ambiguous labels.
  • Understanding of how detection deployment and response can affect future visibility into adversarial behavior.
  • Pragmatic approach to system complexity and tradeoffs.
  • Ability to connect technical work to business impact and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Compensation

  • New York City hires: estimated annual salary of $215,000–$270,000.
  • Eligible for equity participation.

Skills

Python, SQL, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Applied Statistics, Fraud Detection, Bot Detection, Abuse Detection, Data Science, Ml Engineering, Large-Scale Data, Model Evaluation

Upstart

Upstart

United States

Principal Applied Scientist
$131k+/yrRemoteData Science

The Applied Scientist develops causal machine learning models and rigorous experiments to optimize borrower acquisition across marketing channels. The role requires a master’s degree and experience with Python, statistical modeling, machine learning, causal inference, and experimental design.

Suno

Suno

New York, NY

Senior / Staff Data Scientist, Growth Monetization
$220k+/yrOn-site6+ YOEData Science

Leads data science for growth and monetization, shaping pricing, packaging, conversion, retention, and new revenue models. Requires 6–8+ years in data science or product analytics, advanced SQL and Python, rigorous experimentation experience, and strong cross-functional influence.

AirOps

AirOps

New York, NY
Head of Enterprise Demand Generation
$220k+/yrHybrid8+ YOEData Science

Leads enterprise demand-generation strategy, ABM, target-account programs, and cross-channel campaigns to drive qualified pipeline. Requires 7+ years of B2B demand-generation experience, strong sales partnership, and the ability to own strategy, budget, and execution.

Suno

Suno

San Francisco, CA

Senior / Staff Data Scientist, Trust & Safety
$220k+/yrOn-site6+ YOEData Science

The first dedicated Trust & Safety data scientist will define ecosystem metrics, run experiments, evaluate safety models, and shape the roadmap with Product, Engineering, and Legal. Requires 6–8 years of data science experience, Trust & Safety or adjacent domain expertise, and strong SQL and Python skills.

DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo

United States
Staff Data Scientist
$222k+/yrRemote10+ YOEData Science

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.