Principal Data Scientist

Farm Bureau Financial Services; West Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Farm Bureau Financial Services seeks an experienced Principal Data Scientist to lead the analytics lifecycle from problem definition to production deployment and business adoption. You’ll build scalable predictive models, ML, and AI solutions for pricing, underwriting, claims, and more.

You will mentor the team, advance MLOps practices, and collaborate across business and technology to drive measurable value. Hybrid work options are available at our West Des Moines campus.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience developing predictive models, ML, AI, or production analytics.
• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field; advanced degree preferred.
• Strong Python and SQL skills with production-quality solutions.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, validation, calibration, and explainability.
• Experience with APIs, model services, and production scoring processes.
• Knowledge of software engineering and MLOps practices, including CI/CD.
• Experience with Databricks, Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, or similar cloud platforms preferred.
• Property/Casualty insurance experience preferred.
• Strong communication, leadership, and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, deployment, and monitoring of predictive models, ML, and AI solutions.
• Apply advanced statistical and machine learning techniques, including GLMs, GAMs, gradient boosting, ensembles, and explainable AI.
• Build production-ready Python and SQL solutions, APIs, scoring processes, and analytical tools.
• Advance MLOps practices, including testing, CI/CD, model governance, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Drive responsible adoption of generative AI, NLP, and intelligent automation.
• Establish standards for model development, validation, documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Partner across business and technology teams to deliver measurable business value.
• Mentor team members and provide technical leadership for Predictive Analytics.

Education

Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field

Advanced degree

Tools

APIs & model services

Databricks

Snowflake

Microsoft Fabric

Job description

Farm Bureau Financial Services is seeking an experienced Principal Data Scientist to provide technical leadership across the full analytics lifecycle, from problem definition and model development through production deployment, monitoring, and business adoption. You'll build scalable, explainable predictive modeling, machine learning, and AI solutions supporting Property/Casualty pricing, underwriting, claims, product, client/member, distribution, and portfolio decisions.

Who We Are

With Farm Bureau Financial Services, our client/members can feel confident knowing their family, home, cars, and other property are protected. Integrity, teamwork, passion, service, leadership, and accountability guide every decision we make. We're proud of our more than 80-year commitment to protecting livelihoods and futures while creating an environment where employees thrive.

What You'll Do

• Lead development, deployment, and monitoring of predictive models, machine learning, and AI solutions.
• Apply advanced statistical and machine learning techniques, including GLMs, GAMs, gradient boosting, ensembles, and explainable AI.
• Build production-ready Python and SQL solutions, APIs, scoring processes, and analytical tools.
• Advance MLOps practices, including testing, CI/CD, model governance, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Drive responsible adoption of generative AI, NLP, and intelligent automation.
• Establish standards for model development, validation, documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Partner across business and technology teams to deliver measurable business value.
• Mentor team members and provide technical leadership for Predictive Analytics.

What It Takes To Join Our Team

• 8+ years of experience developing predictive models, machine learning, AI solutions, or production analytics systems.
• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field; advanced degree preferred.
• Strong Python and SQL skills with experience building production-quality analytical solutions.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, validation, calibration, and model explainability.
• Experience with APIs, model services, and production scoring processes.
• Knowledge of software engineering and MLOps practices, including CI/CD.
• Experience with Databricks, Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, or similar cloud platforms preferred.
• Property/Casualty insurance experience preferred.
• Strong communication, leadership, and mentoring skills.

What We Offer You

When you join our team, you get more than a great paycheck. We offer career development opportunities, an enhanced 401K with a match, low-cost health, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, and paid time off. Our West Des Moines campus also offers an onsite wellness facility, daycare center, cafeteria, and hybrid work consideration for many positions.

Farm Bureau....where the grass really IS greener!

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa or work authorization for this role, including OPT status.