Lead Data Scientist, Core, Level 6

SNAP, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 195,000 - 343,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid parental leave

Comprehensive medical coverage

Mental health support programs

Equity/RSUs

Job summary

Snap Inc is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to be the SME on experimentation and causal inference, guiding major projects across teams. You will architect data products and analytics tooling that align with company OKRs and drive strategic decisions.

Join a team that translates complex statistics into actionable insights, partnering with product, engineering, and research to uncover new opportunities and shape product strategy.

Qualifications

• Minimum: 7+ years in quantitative analysis and/or data science (or 6+ with a Master’s, or 3+ with a PhD).
• Experience with predictive modeling, ML, and A/B testing at scale.
• Strong ability to translate statistics into business strategy and decisions.

Responsibilities

• Act as SME for experimentation and causal inference.
• Lead large cross-functional data science projects.
• Architect and maintain scalable data products and analytics tooling.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Causal inference

Experimentation

Machine learning

Data storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, CS, or engineering

Master's degree or PhD (preferred)

Tools

SciPy

statsmodels

EconML

Python

R

Job description

Snap Inc is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Snap contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.

The Company operates Snapchat, a visual messaging app that enhances your relationships with friends, family, and the world, and Specs Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary dedicated to making computing more human, in addition to Bitmoji, Saturn, and other digital services.

The Data Science and Insights team seeks to leverage our massive data sets into actionable insights that deliver business value. As truth seekers and truth tellers, we relay what the data says without bias, even when inconvenient or difficult. We aim to improve decision‑making quality and speed across the organization to enable a deeper understanding of our customers and products. We focus on efficient and effective analytic execution, positioning ourselves as the go-to experts with deep knowledge and expertise, constantly striving for better, faster insights from data.

We’re looking for a Lead Data Scientist to join Snap Inc.

What you’ll do

• Act as the organization subject matter expert for key experimentation and causal inference methodologies
• Lead medium to large projects encompassing multiple groups and stakeholders across the organization
• Architect, implement, and maintain scalable, sustained statistics, ML, and data products for internal tooling
• Translate complex statistical concepts into strategic approaches that directly align with organization OKRs and influence executive decision-making
• Establishes a positive, mutually supporting, inclusive and fun team environment where every employee can do their best.
• Work cross-functionally and partner with product managers, engineers, and researchers to solve problems, and conduct analytics studies to identify new product opportunities and shape product strategy
• Conduct in-depth analysis of all data sources, asking the right questions, testing hypotheses, identifying patterns and providing the necessary business context to translate what it all means
• Lead the development and implementation of regular insights share-outs that drive the consumer voice throughout the organization
• Deliver on data science and analytics roadmap including continuous improvement, accurate and timely reporting and measurement
• Provide strategic direction, project clarity, methodological consultation and deliver results
• Drive and maintain a culture of quality, innovation and experimentation
• Utilize AI tools to more efficiently develop scalable data solutions, while maintaining rigorous standards for accuracy and statistical integrity

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Deep understanding of advanced statistical analysis, including expertise with modern computational packages (such as the Python libraries SciPy, stats models, and EconML, or equivalent R ecosystems)
• Proven track record in transforming data into meaningful insights and opportunities to drive growth and performance
• Strong knowledge of predictive modeling, machine learning, and experimentation/causal inference methods
• Expertise in data orchestration pipelines
• Expertise in SQL and advanced proficiency with Python or R
• Excellent communication skills, with high attention to detail
• Ability to initiate and drive projects to completion with minimal guidance
• Ability to balance practical business needs and scientific rigor
• Display a track record of driving end-to-end adoption through cycles of stakeholder feedback and product iteration
• Adaptability in learning and applying evolving AI systems and tools to remain at the forefront of data-driven decision-making, insights generation, and industry best practices

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant technical or quantitative field such as statistics, mathematics, economics, computer science, engineering or a related field or equivalent years of practical work experience
• 7+ years of post-Bachelor’s experience in quantitative analysis and/or data science; or a Master’s degree in a relevant field + 6+ years of post-grad experience in quantitative analysis and/or data science; or a PhD in a related field + 3+ years of post-grad experience in quantitative analysis and/or data science

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a quantitative or technical field (Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics)
• Experience leading a team responsible for data capture, measurement, and optimization
• Experience forming partnerships with cross-functional leaders in engineering, product, design, research, etc.
• Experience in a product-focused role at a social media, online advertising, digital media and/or mobile technology company
• Experience with causal inference modeling, advanced statistical methods, and A/B testing at scale

Default Together Policy at Snap: At Snap Inc. we believe that being together in person helps us build our culture faster, reinforce our values, and serve our community, customers and partners better through dynamic collaboration. To reflect this, we practice a “default together” approach and expect our team members to work in an office 4+ days per week.

At Snap, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to create innovative products that improve the way people live and communicate. Snap is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. EOE, including disability/vets.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law (by example, the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, where applicable).

Our Benefits: Snap Inc. is its own community, so we’ve got your back! We do our best to make sure you and your loved ones have everything you need to be happy and healthy, on your own terms. Our benefits are built around your needs and include paid parental leave, comprehensive medical coverage, emotional and mental health support programs, and compensation packages that let you share in Snap’s long-term success!

Compensation

In the United States, work locations are assigned a pay zone which determines the salary range for the position. The successful candidate’s starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. The starting pay may be negotiable within the salary range for the position. These pay zones may be modified in the future.

Zone A (CA, WA, NYC): The base salary range for this position is $229,000-$343,000 annually.

Zone B: The base salary range for this position is $218,000-$326,000 annually.

Zone C: The base salary range for this position is $195,000-$292,000 annually.

This position is eligible for equity in the form of RSUs.

If you believe this job description is missing required pay transparency information, please submit a report through this form: Job Description Pay Range Disclosure.