Senior Data Scientist - Games

Netflix; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Netflix is looking for a Senior Data Scientist in Helsinki to lead advanced data science initiatives within the gaming sector. This role involves partnering with multiple stakeholders to drive data-informed decision-making and building machine learning models to enhance user experience.

Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in data science, be proficient in SQL and Python, and have strong statistical skills. This position offers a unique opportunity to work within a collaborative environment that values diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a Data Scientist working with engineering teams.
• Fluent in SQL and Python/R for data analysis.
• Experienced in A/B testing and statistical modeling.

Responsibilities

• Partner with game studio and DSE stakeholders on data science initiatives.
• Own the experimentation platform and lead design and analysis.
• Collaborate with data engineers to ensure data quality.

Skills

Data Science

Machine Learning

SQL

Python

Statistical Analysis

Education

Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, or Computer Science

Tools

Tableau

Apache Airflow

Job description

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services, with over 300 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.

Who we are

From games on TV to mobile and web, Next Games develops approachable games to entertain a diverse, global audience.

We design games that Netflix members can enjoy every day as part of their subscription. Our games released on Netflix to date include TV games Boggle Party, Pictionary Game Night, Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends, and Underwatermelon, as well as Netflix Puzzled, available on mobile devices and on tudum.com.

We proudly combine our Finnish game development culture with Netflix's global entertainment culture, embracing the strengths of both and empowering our talented and diverse teams to deliver their best work yet.

The Role

The Data Science and Engineering (‘DSE’) organization at Netflix focuses on using data, analytics, machine learning (ML), and sciences to improve various aspects of our business and games. We are now looking for a Senior Data Scientist to join our local DSE team working in Helsinki, Finland to lead our experimentation, modeling, and advanced data science efforts. You will play a critical role in building and taking the data science capability at the studio to the next level.

In this role you will be partnering closely with our studio stakeholders and the BI team of analysts and data engineers to drive data-informed decision making by building ML models, conducting statistical analysis, and deriving business insights. In addition to local studio stakeholders, you will also work in close collaboration with our colleagues in the wider Netflix Games DSE organization to provide insights and tooling to scale data-driven decision making across the studio and games organization.

Responsibilities

• Partner with various game studio and DSE stakeholders on advanced Data Science and ML initiatives (predictive modeling, causal inference, etc.)
• Be the primary owner of our experimentation platform, and lead the design, analysis and interpretation of experiments that shape our decision-making
• Proactively perform data exploration to identify opportunities for business impact and innovation
• Collaborate with our data engineers and analysts to ensure data quality, integrity, and availability for analysis and its suitability for advanced data science initiatives
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to product managers and engineers, directly influencing product direction and improving user experience
• Build strong relationships with our various cross-functional stakeholders to help unearth data-based solutions to their challenges
• Connect and network with the wider analytics community at Netflix
• Act as a mentor for more junior team members to aid with their career development and help level up the data science skillset within the team

Requirements

• Extensive experience working with engineering teams as a Data Scientist
• Extensive experience in a general data analysis language such as SQL and Python/R, with fluency in at least one
• Extensive experience with the statistical skills utilized in A/B testing, analyzing observational data, and statistical modeling
• Solid skills with applied ML modeling (e.g. deep neural networks) and assessment
• Experience with data modeling, schema design, and designing and building robust data pipelines with workflow orchestration tools like Apache Airflow
• Experienced in building strong stakeholder relationships and addressing cross-functional challenges
• Strong bias to action, delivering results quickly with iteration instead of waiting for perfection
• A collaborative and team-oriented mindset
• Ability to give and take feedback
• Great communication skills in English

Appreciated, but not hard requirements

• A degree (BS/MS/PhD) in a relevant field (Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, etc.) helps us assess your skills. But if you have the skills without a degree in a relevant area, we’d still love to hear from you.
• Experience with traditional BI tools such as Tableau, Looker, and Periscope
• Prior experience with similar work in the game industry
• Prior experience with mentoring other team members or leading small teams
• Curiosity or practical experience building and working with emerging AI technologies is a big plus.

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.