Principle Data Scientist

Description Position at Ookla

Ookla is a global leader in connectivity intelligence, offering unparalleled network insights through the combined expertise of Speedtest, Downdetector, RootMetrics, and Ekahau. Ookla’s complementary datasets combine crowdsourced and controlled, public and private collection methods, QoS and QoE metrics, and more to unlock correlations and actionable insights — helping organizations optimize networks, enhance digital experiences, and create better connected experiences for end-users. Our team is a group of people brought together through passion and inspired by possibility. We are looking for team members who love solving problems, are motivated by challenges, and enjoy turning clever ideas into exceptional products. When you work for us, you are using Ookla data and insights to advance our mission of better connectivity for all.

Role Summary

We’re looking for a mid- to senior-level data scientist to join our unique and highly-collaborative team of analysts and data scientists. Your primary focus will be developing methodologies using Ookla's rich, multi-dimensional data sets that describe mobile and fixed internet performance in new and meaningful ways to enable consumers, service providers, manufacturers, regulators, and more to understand their service and make informed decisions. For this role, a strong understanding of networking technologies, inferential statistics, and data programming are needed. Successful applicants will have an inquisitive nature, a creative approach to solving problems, excellent communication skills, and a strong drive for data advocacy. We are committed to providing you a flexible work environment where individuality, fun, and talent are all valued equally. If you consider yourself innovative, adept at collaboration, and you care deeply about the work you do, we want to talk!

Expectations for Success

1. Lead development of new measurements, KPIs, and models for describing internet quality of service and quality of experience.
2. Develop approaches for statistical testing of measurements and KPIs.
3. Work closely with data engineers and product managers to turn methodology into viable data products.
4. Develop methodologies for detecting anomalies and ensuring the quality and integrity of Ookla’s data.
5. Support and collaborate with brand licensing, sales, technical presales, and industry analysts.
6. Protect Ookla’s credibility by ensuring quality and consistency across Ookla’s products and public-facing outputs.
7. Create internal tools, packages, documentation, and processes that enable reproducible reporting and self-service.
8. Stay curious and up-to-date with the latest advancements in data science and tooling.
9. Actively mentor and support team members.

Requirements

We are looking for the right person, not the exact list of requirements. If you believe your life experience has prepared you for similar challenges, we’d like to hear from you.

1. A Master's degree in a relevant field, such as computer science, statistics, or data science, or equivalent experience.
2. Strong foundation in statistical inference, hypothesis testing, data analysis, and statistical modeling techniques.
3. Experience applying statistical methods to real-world challenges.
4. Expertise in programming languages like Python or R.
5. SQL expertise, and experience building complex queries against large data sets.
6. Strong understanding of data pipeline and ETL processes.
7. Experience with cloud computing platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP.
8. Excellent communication skills to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
9. Proven history of project ownership and cross-team collaboration.
10. Dependable team player that enjoys learning from and teaching others.
11. Experience with internet, cellular, and broadband technology and infrastructure.
12. Background check required.