Senior Rail Data Scientist — Risk & Insight

Socket.dev; Shelton (CT); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Sperry is seeking a Lead Data Scientist for Rail Data and Risk to shape how risk is understood across North America. You will hire a data scientist and a software engineer, and set the analytical direction with autonomy, delivering impactful, decision-ready insights.

You will develop descriptive and predictive analyses of test data, link measurements to defects, and present findings to the commercial team and customers.

Qualifications

• Statistical methods and data analysis experience required.
• Experience applying statistical and risk-modelling methods to physical or engineered systems.

Responsibilities

• Trend Sperry's multi-modal test data over time to assess defect growth and surface degradation.
• Connect raw test measurements to the physical conditions they represent: internal defects, surface conditions, rail flaws.
• Analyze defect types and frequency by subdivision to identify where risk is concentrated and how it moves.
• Apply risk-based models to estimate the probability and consequence of failure.
• Own the KPIs for the monthly operational review and customer account review meetings.
• Present findings to the commercial team in a form they can use in account conversations.
• Identify gaps in current data collection and recommend what Sperry should capture to support better analysis.
• Validate findings against field conditions with track engineering and testing teams.
• Hire and line manage the two further seats in the pod, and direct their work.
• Write and maintain documentation so that the analysis is transferable.

Skills

Statistical depth

SQL and Python

Risk modelling

GIS

Rail/transport data

Staff management

Communication

Decision making

Integrity

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in quantitative field

Advanced degree welcome

Job description

Sperry is seeking a Lead Data Scientist for Rail Data and Risk to shape how risk is understood across North America. You will hire a data scientist and a software engineer, and set the analytical direction with autonomy, delivering impactful, decision-ready insights.

You will develop descriptive and predictive analyses of test data, link measurements to defects, and present findings to the commercial team and customers.