Optimization Data Analyst

Adyen; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Adyen in Chicago seeks an Optimization Data Analyst to drive scalable optimizations and advanced analytics across our Performance Optimization team. You will lead analyses, support automation and experiments, and partner with commercial and product stakeholders to deliver insights that maximize merchant growth.

This role suits an experienced analyst looking to deepen technical impact and influence product and business outcomes at scale, with hands-on work in Python, SQL, and big data tooling.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of data analytics or data science experience in fintech/payments or high-growth tech.
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, and PySpark with large-scale data processing.
• Experience designing scalable ETL/data pipelines and data validations.
• Familiarity with Spark, Airflow, Git, and data visualization tools.

Responsibilities

• Analyze large-scale payment datasets to identify performance trends and optimization opportunities.
• Design scalable analytics solutions, automation pipelines, and self-service tools.
• Collaborate with Product, Data, and Commercial teams to translate challenges into insights.
• Lead A/B tests and data investigations to validate hypotheses.
• Tell data-driven stories to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mentor team members and promote analytical best practices.

Skills

Python

SQL

PySpark

Spark

Airflow

Looker/Tableau

Statistics

Data storytelling

Stakeholder management

Tools

Spark

Airflow

Job description

Adyen provides payments, data, and financial products in a single solution for customers like Meta, Uber, H&M, and Microsoft - making us the financial technology platform of choice. At Adyen, everything we do is engineered for ambition.

For our teams, we create an environment with opportunities for our people to succeed, backed by the culture and support to ensure they are enabled to truly own their careers. We are motivated individuals who tackle unique technical challenges at scale and solve them as a team. Together, we deliver innovative and ethical solutions that help businesses achieve their ambitions faster.

We are seeking an experienced Optimization Data Analyst to join our team in Chicago to play a critical role in driving scalable optimizations and advanced analytics across Adyen’s global Performance Optimization team. As an Optimization Data Analyst, you will independently lead complex analyses, support automation and experimentation projects, and collaborate with commercial and product stakeholders to deliver actionable insights that maximize merchant growth.

This role is ideal for an experienced analyst looking to deepen technical impact while influencing product and business outcomes at scale.

What You’ll Do

• Data-Driven Optimization: Analyze large-scale payment datasets to identify performance trends, uncover optimization opportunities, and deliver high-impact recommendations to our biggest customers, while identifying and driving scalable opportunities that benefit the broader merchant base.
• Scalable Tooling & Automation: Design and build scalable analytics solutions, automation pipelines, and self-service tools that empower internal teams and stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Product, Data, and Commercial teams to translate business challenges into analytical solutions, driving continuous platform improvements.
• Advanced Problem-Solving & Experimentation: Lead complex A/B testing and data investigations, shaping data-driven strategies and validating hypotheses with analytical rigor.
• Strategic Data Storytelling: Drive strategic discussions by synthesizing complex data into compelling narratives, tailoring insights for technical and non-technical audiences, and positioning the Performance Optimization team as a key business enabler.
• Mentorship & Best Practices: Support knowledge-sharing within the Performance Optimization team, contributing to the elevation of analytical standards and technical excellence.

Who You Are

• 3–5 years of relevant experience in a data analytics, data science, or similar role, ideally in fintech, payments, or a high-growth tech environment.
• Strong proficiency in Python, SQL, and PySpark, with hands‑on experience in large‑scale data processing.
• Ability to design and develop efficient and scalable ETL and data pipelines for datasets, including the use of data validations to ensure reliability.
• Familiarity with big data tools (Spark, Airflow) and version control using Git.
• Solid experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Looker, Tableau) and dashboard development.
• Deep understanding of statistics, hypothesis testing, and data mining.
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence product and business outcomes.
• Proactive, self‑directed, and able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, global environment.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, translating data insights into business value.

Compensation The annual base salary range for this role is $120,000 - $156,000, plus RSUs; to learn more about our compensation philosophy, please click here .

Location

This role is based out of our Chicago office. We are an office‑first company and value in‑person collaboration; we do not offer remote‑only roles.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commitments

Our unique approach is a product of our diverse perspectives. This diversity of backgrounds and cultures is essential in helping us maintain our momentum. Our business and technical challenges are unique, and we need as many different voices as possible to join us in solving them - voices like yours. No matter who you are or where you’re from, we welcome you to be your true self at Adyen.

Studies show that women and members of underrepresented communities apply for jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Does this sound like you?

Demographic Survey - US

Voluntary Self-Identification

Disclaimer: We ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey to help us evaluate the effectiveness of Adyen’s outreach efforts. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained with confidentiality in line with our Applicant Privacy Policy. Your individual answers will never be visible to any Adyen employees.

As set forth in Adyen’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law. At Adyen, we are building an organization that supports people in their many unique life situations. The information provided will help us make our hiring process, benefits, and professional development equal and inclusive to all.

By submitting your answers you hereby consent to Adyen using the data for the prescribed purpose. For more information about the processing of your data and request for deletion, please have a look at the Applicant Privacy Policy .

Please note that the following questions are only applicable for candidates applying for positions based in the United States.

At Adyen, we strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates.Please let our team know if you need any adjustments to the recruitment process to make it more accessible and/or inclusive to your needs.