Climate Data Scientist — Sustainability Methodologies

Watershed; San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Watershed is seeking a senior science‑focused professional to advance built‑in sustainability methodologies. You will translate climate science into product logic, collaborating with engineers, data scientists, and product managers to keep methodologies rigorous and auditable.

You will interpret evolving GHG standards and real‑world data challenges, contributing to scalable solutions and clear guidance for customers and auditors. This role blends science, data, and product impact.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in climate science, environmental science, sustainability, industrial ecology, or another quantitative field.
• 5+ years of experience in corporate sustainability, sustainability consulting, carbon accounting, climate strategy, or a related field—ideally with large, complex organizations.
• Systems thinker who can map interdependencies between sustainability and business systems.
• Deep knowledge of GHG accounting standards and sustainability reporting frameworks (GHG Protocol Corporate Standard and Scope 3; ESRS familiarity is a plus).
• Able to read code in Python and contribute to a codebase without being a software engineer.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to scientists, auditors, customers, and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and improve Watershed’s built‑in sustainability methodologies and translate science into robust product logic.
• Collaborate with engineers, data scientists, and product managers to design rigorous, auditable, scalable features.
• Review methodology implementations, write clear specifications, and help build tests for scientific correctness.
• Interpret evolving standards (GHG Protocol, reporting frameworks, sector methodologies) and reflect them in Watershed’s product.
• Investigate complex customer questions at the intersection of science, data quality, accounting rules, and business context.
• Balance scientific rigor with usability and auditability in real‑world data scenarios.
• Explain methodology choices to customers, auditors, and stakeholders in clear terms.
• Contribute to internal methodology standards and document decisions.

Skills

Python

Systems thinking

Communication

Data interpretation

Education

Master's degree in climate science or sustainability

PhD in a related quantitative field

Tools

Python

GHG Protocol knowledge

Job description

Watershed is seeking a senior science‑focused professional to advance built‑in sustainability methodologies. You will translate climate science into product logic, collaborating with engineers, data scientists, and product managers to keep methodologies rigorous and auditable.

You will interpret evolving GHG standards and real‑world data challenges, contributing to scalable solutions and clear guidance for customers and auditors. This role blends science, data, and product impact.