Director of Data Science

Openkrill; United States; Hybrid; USD 288,000 - 396,000; Full time

Job summary

Motional in the United States seeks a Director of Data Science to drive strategy for extracting insights from petabyte-scale on-road fleet data and simulation ecosystems. You will build data-driven methodologies and predictive models to inform vehicle launch readiness and safety decisions.

Leading a four-person team, you will partner with autonomy teams, translate complex patterns into executive-ready artifacts, and shape the company-wide analytics agenda in a hybrid/remote-friendly environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience leading data science or applied AI/ML initiatives.
• Master’s degree or PhD in Data Science, CS, Robotics, Math, Physics or a quantitative field.
• Deep knowledge in statistical analysis, density estimation, hypothesis testing, uncertainty quantification, and causal reasoning.
• Proficiency with Python, SQL and data science infrastructure libraries; familiarity with Transformers and distributed compute (Ray, AWS).
• Experience translating ambiguous real-world questions into structured metrics and architectures.
• Excellent communication and ability to influence cross-functional teams and executives.

Responsibilities

• Provide rapid operational analytics to inform launch decisions.
• Build advanced exposure models to evaluate safety and performance in diverse conditions.
• Serve as analytical anchor for Systems and Autonomy teams (Perception, Prediction, Planning).
• Create executive-ready artifacts, visualizations, and dashboards.
• Mentor and scale a four-person data science team with rigor and agility.

Skills

Leadership

Python

SQL

Transformers

Ray

AWS

Analytics

Communication

Cross-functional

Education

Master's/PhD in Data Science/quantitative field

Tools

Ray framework

AWS

Job description

Motional is a leading autonomous driving company on a mission to make driverless vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. Backed by Hyundai Motor Group, Motional is at the forefront of the physical AI revolution. Motional isn’t just building first-of-its-kind technology; we are transforming transportation to create safer streets and more sustainable mobility options.

The Systems Readiness and Performance team is the crucial bridge between software development and real-world deployment. We are responsible for driving system design, verifying and validating the autonomy stack, and defining, measuring, and validating system performance targets. We work closely with stakeholders in autonomy, infrastructure, and operations to build the definitive safety case for the commercial launch of our fully driverless IONIQ 5 robotaxis.

Mission Summary:

As the Director of Data Science, you will lead the strategic vision and execution for extracting intelligence from petabyte-scale on-road fleet data and simulation ecosystems. This leadership role is centered on building advanced data-driven methodologies, developing predictive and generative models, and serving as the primary analytical anchor supporting not only the Systems Readiness and Performance/Metrics teams but the whole company. You will drive the statistical rigor necessary to translate raw road data into high-fidelity performance metrics that directly inform vehicle launch readiness and safety-critical decisions.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Rapid Operational Analytics: Execute fast-turnaround investigations on emergent fleet issues, converting real-time operational data into high-impact insights for launch decisions.
• Advanced Exposure Modeling: Build complex statistical models to evaluate vehicle safety and performance across diverse environmental variables and Operational Design Domains.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Serve as the primary analytical anchor for Systems and Autonomy teams (Perception, Prediction, Planning).
• Executive Artifacts: Work with other systems teams to distill raw telemetry and rapid-response findings into high-level strategy documents, visualizations, and dashboards.
• Team Leadership: Mentor and scale a dedicated four-person team, instilling a culture that pairs rapid analytical agility with absolute scientific rigor.

What We're Looking For:

• Industry Experience: 10+ years of professional experience leading data science or applied AI/ML initiatives, with at least 5 years explicitly scaling data-driven programs for autonomous driving, robotics, or complex safety-critical engineering systems.
• Educational Background: Master’s degree or PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Robotics, Mathematics, Physics, or a highly quantitative field.
• Expertise in Advanced Analytics: Deep foundational knowledge in statistical analysis, density estimation, hypothesis testing, uncertainty quantification, and causal reasoning.
• Technical Proficiency: Mastery of Python, SQL, and data science infrastructure libraries, alongside a strong understanding of modern sequence modeling (Transformers) and distributed compute scaling frameworks (e.g., Ray, AWS).
• System Deconstruction: Demonstrated track record of translating ill-defined, ambiguous real-world performance questions into structured metric designs and concrete solution architectures.
• Exceptional Communication: Proven capacity to articulate highly technical data patterns and trade-offs into compelling strategies for cross-functional engineering peers and C-suite executives.
• Collaborative Leadership: Strong interpersonal ability to wield cross-functional technical influence, resolve technical disagreements across teams, and establish organizational best practices around data integrity.

Bonus Points (not required):

• Experience designing reward functions or applying Inverse Reinforcement Learning (IRL) to evaluate human-like driving intent, assertiveness, and comfort.
• Familiarity with physical AI ecosystems, open-weights Vision-Language models (VLMs), or processing raw telemetry without text-translation bottlenecks.
• Direct experience evaluating core onboard software subsystems like Perception, Prediction, or Motion Planning.
• Deep familiarity with functional safety engineering standards like ISO 26262 and ISO 21448 (SOTIF)

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and at times for long periods; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.

Travel Requirements (greater than 20%):

Expected to travel for 1-2 weeks each quarter visiting all of our testing sites - mostly to LV, but also domestically as needed for the business.

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here represent those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The team member is regularly exposed to mechanical and computer parts. The team member is occasionally exposed to fumes and/or airborne particlesThe noise level in the environment is low to moderate.

We encourage a hybrid schedule with in-office time at one of our locations in Boston, Pittsburgh, or Las Vegas to support collaboration, or this role can be fully remote.

#LI-RR1 #LI-BP1

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors including but not limited to specific skills, experience and expertise, role location, certifications, licenses, and business needs. The estimated compensation range listed in this job posting reflects base salary only. This role may include additional forms of compensation such as a bonus or company equity. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Candidates for certain positions are eligible to participate in Motional’s benefits program. Motional’s benefits include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401k with a company match, health saving accounts, life insurance, pet insurance, and more.

Salary Range$288,000-$396,000 USD

Motional is a driverless technology company making autonomous vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. We’re driven by something more.

Our journey is always people first.

We aren't just developing driverless cars; we're creating safer roadways, more equitable transportation options, and making our communities better places to live, work, and connect. Our team is made up of engineers, researchers, innovators, dreamers and doers, who are creating a technology with the potential to transform the way we move.

Higher purpose, greater impact.

We’re creating first-of-its-kind technology that will transform transportation. To do so successfully, we must design for everyone in our cities and on our roads. We believe in building a great place to work through a progressive, global culture that is diverse, inclusive, and ensures people feel valued at every level of the organization. Diversity helps us to see the world differently; it’s not only good for our business, it’s the right thing to do.

Scale up, not starting up.

Our team is behind some of the industry's largest leaps forward, including the first fully-autonomous cross-country drive in the U.S, th