Data Scientist

Sambatv; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Samba is seeking a hands-on Data Scientist to own measurement science and modeling at the core of our products.

You will write production-grade Python, build scalable models on billion-row datasets, and deliver end-to-end ML solutions while collaborating with Data Engineering, Product, and go-to-market teams.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of hands-on data science experience with production models.
• Strong Python code for ML, data processing, and experimentation.
• Experience building scalable models on large datasets and pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Develop production-quality measurement models and evaluation frameworks.
• Lead modeling for multi-touch attribution and cross-platform measurement.
• Collaborate with Data Engineering, Product, and GTM teams to deploy solutions.
• Mentor junior scientists and communicate methodologies to non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Python

Statistics

Causal ML

ML modeling

A/B testing

Data pipelines

Communication

Leadership

Education

MS or PhD in Statistics/Mathematics/CS

Tools

PySpark

Databricks

Job description

Samba is a media intelligence company. We know what the world is watching, reading, and thinking about — in real time, at scale, across every screen. Our data exists with the consent of over a billion people, organized into the most complete picture of consumer attention ever built. The biggest brands in the world use that picture to make smarter decisions. We think it’s the most interesting data asset on the planet, because it’s the most culturally relevant.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a hands-on Data Scientist to own and deliver complex measurement science and modeling work at the core of our measurement and audience sciences products.

The role requires a deep, first-principles understanding of data science and machine learning — not just the ability to apply libraries, but the ability to reason clearly about model behavior, articulate trade-offs between approaches, and make defensible methodological decisions under ambiguity. This is emphatically a coding role — you will spend the majority of your time writing production-quality Python, building and evaluating models on large-scale viewership and web data, and delivering end-to-end ML solutions.

You will work closely with Data Engineering, Product, and go-to-market teams.

Responsibilities

• Write and own production-quality Python code end-to-end — well-structured, tested, documented, and built to last; PySpark proficiency is essential for working with Samba's billion-row viewership datasets
• Design, build, and deploy measurement models and statistical frameworks that power Samba’s campaign measurement, reach/frequency estimation, and cross-platform attribution products
• Apply the right statistical and ML technique to the right problem — drawing from hierarchical models, Bayesian inference, gradient boosting, regularized regression, causal ML, and probabilistic record linkage — and clearly articulate the reasoning behind your choices
• Build and evaluate multi-touch and multi-channel attribution models; apply Causal ML methods — counterfactual modeling, meta-learners (S-learner, T-learner, X-learner), and heterogeneous treatment effect estimation — to advertising and viewership measurement problems
• Partner with Data Engineering to define data requirements, validate pipelines, and ensure model inputs are reliable, scalable, and production-ready
• Lead technical design reviews and contribute meaningfully to architecture decisions across the Data Science team
• Mentor junior Data Scientists through code review, pairing, and structured technical feedback — raising the team's technical floor
• Communicate measurement methodologies and findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership and external clients

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of professional data science experience — hands-on, delivery-focused, and measurable in shipped models and production systems
• Expert-level Python — clean, modular, testable, production-ready code is your standard, not your aspiration
• Advanced PySpark and Databricks — comfortable building and optimizing data pipelines and ML workflows on billion-row datasets
• Deep, first-principles command of statistics and ML — you can explain from the ground up how these models work and you apply this understanding to make better modeling decisions
• Solid grasp of experimental design — A/B testing, randomization, power analysis, and the conditions under which observational causal inference is appropriate
• Fluent in the full ML lifecycle: feature engineering, model evaluation, deployment pipelines, drift monitoring, and iterative improvement in production
• Hands-on experience with uplift modeling, synthetic control, difference-in-differences, or propensity-based approaches applied to advertising or media outcomes
• Strong ownership mindset — you drive projects independently and are comfortable owning your models from data exploration through production delivery, with minimal hand-holding
• Clear communicator — able to translate statistical reasoning and model behavior into language that drives decisions with product, engineering, and leadership
• Experience with multi-touch attribution (MTA) or multi-channel attribution modeling — understanding of the limitations of rule-based approaches and the methodological trade-offs of data-driven alternatives
• Hands-on experience with Causal ML methods — counterfactual modeling, meta-learners, and heterogeneous treatment effect estimation — applied to advertising or media measurement outcomes
• Direct exposure to TV or digital viewership data — ACR signals, STB data, viewership panels, or cross-platform measurement (linear + CTV/OTT)
• Familiarity with the measurement vendor landscape (Nielsen, Comscore, VideoAmp, iSpot) and industry standards (MRC, GRP/TRP frameworks)
• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field — or equivalent depth demonstrated through work

Samba is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We strive to empower connection with one another, reflect the communities we serve, and tackle meaningful projects that make a real impact.

Samba may collect personal information directly from you, as a job applicant, Samba may also receive personal information from third parties, for example, in connection with a background, employment or reference check, in accordance with the applicable law. For further details, please see Samba's Applicant Privacy Policy. For residents of the EU, Samba Inc. is the data controller.