Research Scientist - Demand Forecasting

Meta; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 184,000 - 257,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta runs a large-scale server fleet, and every product bet turns into a demand for compute that we forecast and match to a physical supply of servers, racks, power, and data center space. As a technical owner within Server Demand Planning, you drive server demand forecasting and demand-supply matching for your area and shape feasible supply requirements.

You select the modeling approach, balance production-grade optimization with fast prototype models to unblock decisions, and partner with data

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field (CS/CE or equivalent)
• 6+ years applying OR to planning problems (demand/capacity)
• MS or higher in a quantitative field (OR/IE/Math/CS)
• Expertise with optimization solvers and with SQL + Python
• Experience deploying production-grade models and lightweight prototypes

Responsibilities

• Own and drive a multi-horizon server/MW demand forecast (2–5+ years).
• Aggregate demand signals into a single long-term plan.
• Formulate and solve demand–supply matching with OR models.
• Build production-grade optimization and forecasting systems.
• Collaborate with data center engineering, site selection, and Finance.

Skills

Operations research

Optimization

Forecasting

SQL

Python

Production-grade modeling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / related field

MS in Operations Research / Industrial Engineering / Applied Math / Statistics / CS

PhD in Operations Research / related field (preferred)

Tools

Gurobi

CPLEX

Xpress

OR-Tools

SQL

Python

Job description

Summary

Meta runs a large-scale server fleet, and every product bet (AI training, ranking, inference, storage) turns into a demand for compute that we must forecast, shape, and match to a physical supply of servers, racks, power, and data center space. As a technical owner within Server Demand Planning, you drive server demand forecasting and demand-supply matching for your area and close on feasible supply requirements: you forecast long- and near-term server capacity demand by rack/hardware type and region, and you build the operations research models that match that demand to supply so we land the right long term DC & hardware infra requirements, in the right place, at the right time. You choose the right modeling approach for the problems you own, deciding when to ship a production-grade optimization system versus a fast lightweight model to unblock a decision, and you partner closely across product/service capacity owners, capacity engineering, supply chain, data center planning, and finance.

Required Skills

Research Scientist - Demand Forecasting Responsibilities:

1. Own and drive a multi-horizon server/MW demand forecast (near term through 2-5+ years), producing trusted, reproducible releases to inform decisions
2. Aggregate and normalize demand signals from short term demand and product groups, into a single trusted statistical long term demand plan
3. Formulate and solve the demand‑supply matching problem using operations‑research models that reconcile forecasted demand with hardware roadmaps, cooling, lead times, and power constraints to inform the Plan of Record
4. Build across the full modeling spectrum: production‑grade optimization and forecasting systems and prototype models and heuristics that answer a leadership question or unblock a decision
5. Partner with data center engineering, site selection, and hardware strategy teams to align next‑generation data center designs, rack sizing, and hardware roadmaps with demand, eliminating stranded power, cooling, and space capacity

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
2. 6+ years applying operations research / management science to real planning problems in demand planning, capacity planning, supply‑demand matching, network optimization, or inventory
3. MS in a quantitative field (Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Applied Math, Statistics, CS, or related), or equivalent experience
4. Deep operations‑research toolkit: mathematical optimization (LP, MILP, stochastic/robust optimization), simulation, queuing theory, and probabilistic/statistical forecasting
5. Demonstrated ability to build BOTH production‑grade models/systems (deployed, maintained, driving real decisions) AND lightweight/prototype models delivered fast under ambiguity
6. Strong demand‑to‑supply matching experience: reconciling forecasted demand against constrained supply, lead times, and inventory
7. Experience with optimization solvers (Gurobi, CPLEX, Xpress, or OR‑Tools) and with SQL + Python for modeling, analysis, and pipelines

Preferred Qualifications

1. Publications, patents, or recognized technical leadership in OR / optimization / forecasting
2. PhD in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Management Science, or a related quantitative field
3. Direct experience with server/compute or data center capacity planning at hyperscale
4. Statistical/ML forecasting depth (time series, hierarchical/probabilistic forecasting, forecast reconciliation)

Public Compensation

$184,000/year to $257,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Industry

Internet

Equal Opportunity

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affinity Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].