Data Scientist

Sporting Kansas City; Center (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sporting Kansas City is seeking a Data Scientist to drive end-to-end applied modelling projects that strengthen decision-making and support an evidence-informed predictive framework. This onsite role in Center, TX will collaborate with coaches, scouts, analysts, and data teams to build interpretable models across medical, sports sciences, scouting, squad planning, and performance analysis.

You will partner with stakeholders to translate football questions into modelling tasks, deploy

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, or a related STEM subject.
• Experience in a Data Science, Machine Learning, Applied Statistics or similar role.
• Proven experience designing, validating, and monitoring applied machine learning models.
• Strong experience using SQL and Python for data analysis, modelling, and automation.
• Strong understanding of statistical modelling, experimental design, and model evaluation.
• Excellent communication skills, translating technical concepts into practical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Partner with coaches, analysts, scouts, and other stakeholders to identify football questions and translate them into advanced modelling work.
• Lead end-to-end development of applied modelling projects, from problem definition through deployment and review cycles.
• Coordinate with the wider Data and Analytics team to align modelling with Club and department strategy.
• Collaborate with the First Team Data Engineer to ensure reliable data and production-ready workflows.
• Work with the First Team Data Analyst so model outputs become clear, actionable insights for end users.
• Champion adoption of advanced analytics across Sporting Kansas City through ongoing communication.
• Build robust tooling for testing, validation, versioning, monitoring, model governance, and documentation.
• Continuously evaluate model performance and incorporate stakeholder feedback.

Skills

Data science experience

Applied statistics

Experimental design

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/DS or related STEM

Tools

SQL

Python

Tableau

Job description

Sporting Kansas City is hiring a Data Scientist to drive end-to-end applied advanced modelling projects that strengthen decision-making and support an evidence-informed predictive framework. This onsite role in Center, TX brings you into close collaboration with coaches, scouts, analysts, and data teams to build interpretable, context-relevant models across medical, sports sciences, scouting, squad planning, and performance analysis.

What you’ll do

• Partner with coaches, analysts, scouts, and other stakeholders to identify football questions and translate them into advanced modelling work.
• Lead end-to-end development of applied advanced modelling projects, from problem definition through deployment and review cycles.
• Coordinate with the wider Data and Analytics team to ensure your modelling efforts align with Club and department strategy.
• Work closely with the First Team Data Engineer to ensure reliable data and production-ready workflows for advanced modelling.
• Collaborate with the First Team Data Analyst so model outputs become clear, actionable insights for end users.
• Champion adoption of advanced analytics across Sporting Kansas City through ongoing communication and collaboration.
• Build robust tooling for testing, validation, versioning, monitoring, model governance, and documentation to support best practices for experimentation.
• Continuously evaluate model performance and incorporate stakeholder feedback as the Club evolves.
• Assess emerging methods and research to keep Sporting Kansas City aligned with data science best practices and trends.
• Develop advanced models supporting medical, sports sciences, scouting, coaching, and performance analysis workflows.
• Support advanced football metrics, including player, team, league, and valuation models that combine multiple data sources.
• Develop advanced metrics using event, tracking, and physical data.
• Support predictive modelling for load monitoring and management, player availability, injury risk, and other key projects with medical and physical performance staff.
• Contribute to forecasting and scenario-analysis tools that support squad and salary cap planning in collaboration with Data and Analytics teams.
• Challenge existing data, systems, and practices to drive innovation.
• Productionize models and implement ML projects with the First Team Data Engineer.
• Represent Sporting Kansas City professionally, maintain confidentiality of sensitive information, and comply with Club policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, or a related STEM subject.
• Experience in a Data Science, Machine Learning, Applied Statistics or similar role.
• Proven experience designing, validating, and monitoring applied machine learning models.
• Strong experience using SQL and Python for data analysis, modelling, and automation.
• Strong understanding of statistical modelling, experimental design, and model evaluation.
• Creative and curious problem solver with a positive attitude to new challenges.
• Proactive, eager to learn, and able to pick up new skills while working as part of a team.
• Excellent attention to detail and evidence of developing strong analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills, translating technical concepts into practical solutions.

Preferred

• Prior experience working within an elite soccer club or high-performance sporting environment.
• Experience working with soccer event, tracking, and physical performance datasets.
• Experience developing models for elite athlete recruitment, physical performance, squad planning, player availability, and load and fatigue management.
• Experience deploying machine learning models and working with cloud-based environments.
• Strong understanding of technical and tactical aspects of soccer.
• Evidence of experience working in the MLS.
• Experience using data visualization tools such as Tableau or equivalent software.

Tools and technologies

• SQL
• Python
• Tableau

Work environment

• Ability to work in office, stadium, and outdoor environments, with travel as required.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.