Data Science Specialist - Social, Healthcare, and Public Entities

McKinsey & Company; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 173,000 - 211,000; Full time

Job summary

McKinsey & Company is seeking a data science professional for the SHaPE practice in the United States. You will work with consultants, data scientists, and industry experts to serve government, public health, healthcare, and social sector clients across multiple offices including Houston.

The role blends hands‑on ML work with advisory duties to translate analytic results into practical client actions. You will build data science and AI solutions, implement MLOps and ensure responsible AI,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field required; advanced degree a plus.
• 4+ years applying ML, statistical modeling, or optimization to real problems.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL; interest in generative AI and agentic AI.

Skills

Python

SQL

Leadership

Communication

Public sector interest

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

You will be part of our Social, Healthcare, and Public Entities (SHaPE) practice and work in teams of consultants, data scientists, data engineers, and industry experts.

• Atlanta
• Boston
• Charlotte
• Chicago
• Connecticut - Darien
• Dallas
• Denver
• Houston
• Miami
• New Jersey

Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges? You've come to the right place.

YOUR IMPACT

You will serve government agencies (including defense and national security organizations), public health and healthcare organizations, and social sector institutions and will partner with clients at all levels, from technical teams to senior leaders.

You will build data science and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for our clients, and you will advise them on how to use data science well. You can expect half of your work to be hands‑on technical work, and the other half will be helping clients decide where data science and AI can create value, what it takes to adopt them, and how to use them responsibly.

On the technical side, you will translate client problems into machine learning problems (for example, classification, forecasting, anomaly detection, or optimization), and select approaches based on the available data, the value at stake, and the solution requirements. This work includes building data pipelines and engineering features from structured and unstructured data, including text and documents. Using appropriate validation methods and metrics, you will train, tune, and evaluate supervised and unsupervised models, such as gradient-boosted trees, time‑series models, and neural networks. Your work will also encompass building generative AI and agentic AI solutions, including retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG), tool‑using agents, and multi‑step workflows, and evaluating them for accuracy, reliability, and safety.

To move models from prototype to production, you will apply MLOps and LLMOps practices, such as version control, experiment tracking, testing, and monitoring. Throughout this work, you will validate your own results, document assumptions and limitations, and test for bias, drift, and failure modes.

On the advisory side, you will help clients assess their data and analytics maturity, identify the highest‑value use cases, and shape data science and AI strategies, roadmaps, and operating models. By explaining technical results to non‑technical audiences and translating analytical outputs into recommended actions, you will help clients put insights into practice. Your advisory work will also address data governance, fairness, explainability, and the appropriate use of AI in public‑facing settings. To ensure results last after our teams leave, you will help clients build their own data science capabilities.

YOUR GROWTH

Driving lasting impact and building long‑term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high performance/high reward culture - doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues-at all levels-will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you'll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won't find anywhere else.

When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast‑paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You'll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
• Global community: With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm's diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• World‑class benefits: On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well‑being for you and your family.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• US citizenship required
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, engineering, economics, data science, or a related quantitative field required; advanced degree is a plus (if you are less than 8 years out of undergrad, please include your GPA on your resume)
• 4+ years of professional or academic experience applying machine learning, statistical modeling, or optimization to real problems
• Proficiency in Python and SQL; foundations in machine learning and statistical modeling, and curiosity about emerging methods, including generative AI and agentic AI
• Interest in the public, healthcare, or social sectors; experience in these sectors is a plus
• Demonstrated aptitude for both quantitative and qualitative analysis
• A quality and risk mindset: you check your own work, document assumptions and limitations, and think carefully about fairness, explainability, and the appropriate use of AI
• Ability to explain complex technical ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing, to technical and non‑technical audiences
• Proven record of leadership at work or through extracurricular activities
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and effectively with people at all levels of an organization
• Commitment to high standards and core values
• Willingness to travel up to 80%

Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues.

Our unwavering commitment to integrity drives everything we do, guiding us to always act in the best interests of our clients, our people, and the communities we serve.

Industries

• Aerospace & Defense
• Healthcare Systems & Services

Capabilities

• Technology
• Transformation

FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Certain US jurisdictions require McKinsey & Company to include a reasonable estimate of the salary for this role. To help you understand what you can expect, the salary range for new joiners in this role in United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, is $192,000 - $192,000 USD gross per year. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest salary/hourly wages for this role at the time of this posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start, though it's important to remember that actual salaries may vary. Factors like your office location, your unique blend of experience and skills, start date and our current organizational needs all play a part in determining the final figure. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion and based on factors such as individual and/or organizational performance.

Additionally, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to the wellness of our colleagues and their families. This includes medical, mental health, dental and vision coverage, telemedicine services, life, accident and disability insurance, parental leave and family planning benefits, caregiving resources, a generous retirement contributions program, financial guidance, and paid time off.