Data Scientist, Risk

Gusto; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 186,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Gusto, a leading payroll and HR platform, seeks a Staff‑level Data Scientist supporting Risk in San Francisco. You will own experimentation, build risk models, and translate insights into strategic actions for product and business decisions.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Product, Design, Operations, Identity and Compliance to define metrics and drive impact. The role combines rigorous analytics with AI‑assisted insights and mentorship of others.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience in Data Science at a product-focused software company.
• Experience with Risk DS and risk modeling.
• Strong SQL skills and Python.
• Proven ability to apply statistical methods, causal inference, and experimental design to real business problems.
• Excellent communication skills with a track record of influencing cross-functional stakeholders and leadership.
• Demonstrated experience leading technically complex projects with clear business impact.
• A proactive, resilient problem-solver who independently structures ambiguous problems into actionable insights.

Responsibilities

• Translate ambiguous stakeholder questions into clear, testable analyses.
• Use sound statistical reasoning and experimentation frameworks to separate signal from noise.
• Build risk models and present recommendations to enhance analyses with Claude Code.
• Design and interpret experiments, define success metrics, and measure impact.
• Tell clear, data-driven stories that connect findings to business strategy.
• Own end-to-end delivery of analyses and metrics for your product area.

Skills

SQL

Python

Risk modeling

Statistical inference

Experiment design

Data storytelling

Leadership

Mentoring

Tools

Claude Code

Job description

About Gusto

At Gusto, we're on a mission to grow the small business economy. We handle the hard stuff — payroll, health insurance, 401(k)s, and HR — so owners can focus on their craft and their customers. With teams in Denver, San Francisco, and New York, we support more than 500,000 small businesses nationwide and are building a workplace that reflects the people we serve.

About the Role

As a Data Scientist supporting Risk, you will play a crucial role in leveraging experimentation, statistical inference, and causal analysis to drive strategic decision making that contributes to the overall success of our organization. The ideal candidate is a trusted data storyteller with strong statistical and coding skills, and a passion for applying these skills to help small businesses thrive.

In this role you’ll be working with an established team and risk leaders in Engineering, Product, Design, Operation, Identity and Compliance. You'll define and track metrics that help us understand our business performance, and dive deep into our risk stack data to deliver insights and answer questions. You’ll also integrate AI‑assisted practices to accelerate analysis, enhance rigor, and expand the reach of insights across Gusto. This role is an equivalent of Staff-level, with an expectation of owning experimentation and building risk models that will have direct impact on business decisions.

This is a San Francisco‑based role with expectations to be in office Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Here’s What You’ll Do Day‑to‑day

• Partner and Execute: Translate ambiguous stakeholder questions into clear, testable analyses. Structure complex business problems, identify drivers of performance, and communicate actionable insights to influence product or business decisions.
• Analytical Depth: Use sound statistical reasoning and experimentation frameworks to separate signal from noise. Select appropriate analytical techniques that balance rigor and speed, and leverage AI‑assisted analytics to surface drivers of product performance.
• Build Models and Leverage AI: Use Claude Code to enhance analytical approaches. Build risk models and present recommendations to process and project enhancements.
• Experimentation & Measurement: Design and interpret experiments within your domain. Work with stakeholders to define success metrics, measure impact, and communicate trade‑offs.
• Communication: Tell clear, data‑driven stories that connect findings to business strategy. Adapt communication for technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Execution: Own end‑to‑end delivery of analyses and metrics for your product area. Collaborate with cross‑functional peers to scope, prioritize, and deliver insights that inform decisions.

What We’re Looking For

• 7‑10 years of experience in Data Science at a product‑focused software company.
• Experience with Risk DS and risk modeling.
• Strong SQL skills and comfort with Python.
• Proven ability to apply statistical methods, causal inference, and experimental design to real business problems.
• Excellent communication skills, with a track record of influencing cross‑functional stakeholders and leadership.
• Demonstrated experience leading technically complex projects with clear business impact.
• A proactive, resilient problem‑solver who independently structures ambiguous problems into actionable insights.
• Passion for mentoring others and raising the bar for data science craft across the team.

Compensation & Benefits

Our cash compensation amount for this role is targeted at $186,000/yr – $230,000/yr for San Francisco. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience and expertise and may vary from the amounts listed above.

All full‑time employees receive competitive base pay, benefits, and equity (RSUs) – because everyone who helps build Gusto should share in its success. Offer amounts are determined by role, level, and location. Learn more about our Total Rewards philosophy.

Work Location

Gusto has physical office spaces in Denver, San Francisco, and New York City. Employees who are based in those locations will be expected to work from the office on designated days approximately 2‑3 days per week (or more depending on role). The same office expectations apply to all Symmetry roles, Gusto’s subsidiary, whose physical office is in Scottsdale.

When approved to work from a location other than a Gusto office, a secure, reliable, and consistent internet connection is required. This includes non‑office days for hybrid employees.

Equity & Inclusion

Gusto is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. Gusto considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Gusto is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. We want to see our candidates perform to the best of their ability. If you require a medical or religious accommodation at any time throughout your candidate journey, please fill out this form and a member of our team will get in touch with you.