# Staff Applied Scientist

**Company:** [Garner Health](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/garner-health)
**Location:** New York, NY
**Role:** ML Engineering
**Salary:** $300k – $390k/yr
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** Python, SQL, AWS, Snowflake, pandas, xgboost, PyTorch, hugging face, LLMs, Machine Learning, optimization, heuristics, expert systems, claims data, Evaluation Frameworks
**Posted:** 2026-08-11

> Leads end-to-end development of production algorithmic systems for healthcare, spanning machine learning, optimization, and LLM applications. The player-coach role requires 6+ years of industry experience, strong problem-solving and metrics judgment, and technical leadership of a small team.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Own ambiguous, high-stakes algorithmic problems end-to-end, setting how the team frames and approaches them.
- Translate healthcare and business constraints into clear objectives, tradeoffs, and decision frameworks.
- Define metrics to evaluate solutions and validate them before production release.
- Select appropriate approaches, including machine learning, optimization, heuristics, expert systems, and simpler rules.
- Deliver algorithmic improvements that advance important company metrics.
- Lead a small team by setting technical direction, removing blockers, and supporting growth and quality.
- Review Applied Science work across the company for methodological rigor and correct application.
- Build a deep understanding of the healthcare economy and the company’s role within it.
- Work from the New York City office three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday.

## Near-Term Projects
- Develop provider-tiering optimization that balances geographic access and total-cost-of-care savings.
- Fine-tune and productionize an LLM-based primary-care experience, including evaluation, guardrails, and quality monitoring.
- Build a member-engagement model using claims data and in-app behavior to select the appropriate communication channel and timing.

## Requirements
- 6+ years of industry experience as an Applied Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Research Scientist, or equivalent; or 4+ years with a relevant advanced degree. PhDs preferred.
- Strong applied problem-solving skills and the ability to define metrics and deliver solutions that improve them.
- Recognized technical authority and sound judgment in applying technical methods.
- Strong judgment when choosing among statistical models, heuristics, optimization, and simpler algorithmic methods.
- Strong communication skills, including executive-level communication and organization-wide alignment.
- Interest in mentoring or technically leading other scientists; formal management experience is welcome but not required.
- Bias toward action and ability to quickly turn ideas into working prototypes.

## Technologies
- Python
- SQL
- AWS
- Snowflake
- pandas
- XGBoost
- PyTorch
- Hugging Face
- Modern LLM tooling and evaluation frameworks

## Compensation and Benefits
- Target base compensation: **$300,000–$390,000**.
- Equity incentive eligibility.
- Flexible paid time off.
- Medical, dental, and vision plan options.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Flexible spending accounts.
- Teladoc Health and other benefits.

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