Sr. Data Scientist

Align Technology; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 159,000 - 218,000; Full time

Job summary

Align Technology in San Jose, CA is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to join our Research & Development group. You will partner with cross-functional teams to leverage our digital clinical database and develop data-driven insights, ML/AI solutions, and recommendations to shape Invisalign product development.

You will own the analytics lifecycle end‑to‑end, from problem framing and hypothesis development to deployment and impact evaluation, applying full-stack data science and guiding responsible

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Biostatistics, CS, Mathematics, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• MS with 6+ years of industry experience; PhD with 3+ years of industry experience.
• Strong foundation in statistical analysis and experimental design.
• Proficiency in Python and/or R for data analysis and ML workflows.
• Experience with relational databases and large datasets (SQL-based).
• Ability to translate complex results into clear insights for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience owning work end-to-end in a cross-functional environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as a senior data science expert within R&D, partnering with cross-functional teams.
• Drive product innovation using clinical and operational data with ML/AI techniques.
• Own end-to-end analytics and ML lifecycle from problem definition to deployment.
• Apply full-stack data science: data extraction, exploration, modeling, validation.
• Design advanced ML/Agentic AI solutions and integrate with existing platforms.
• Translate outputs into clear insights for product, clinical, and business decisions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship on responsible AI practices.

Skills

Data science

Statistical analysis

Python

R

SQL

Cross-functional collaboration

End-to-end ownership

Education

MS in Data Science, Statistics, Biostatistics, Computer Science or related field

PhD in Data Science or related field

Tools

SQL

Python libraries (pandas, scikit-learn)

R packages (tidyverse)

Job description

Department: Research & Development

Location: US-California-San Jose

Compensation: $158,550 - $218,100 / year

Description

The Sr. Data Scientist in the Research and Development (R&D) group at Align works closely with our cross-functional teams in IT, software, marketing, clinical, and operation teams. He/she leverages Align’s digital clinical database to develop and deliver data-driven insights and advanced ML/AI solutions, metrics, and recommendations to assist teams to drive the company’s product development roadmap and transform the orthodontic world with the Invisalign product.

Role Expectations

• Act as a senior data science expert within R&D, partnering with cross-functional teams across software, clinical, and research domains
• Drive product innovation by leveraging clinical and operational data through statistical analysis, data insights, and advanced ML/AI techniques
• Own the end-to-end analytics and ML lifecycle, from problem definition and hypothesis development to deployment and impact evaluation
• Apply full-stack data science skills, including data extraction, exploratory and confirmatory analysis, modeling, and validation
• Design and develop advanced ML or Agentic AI solutions, including systems that integrate LLMs with domain data and existing software platforms, where appropriate
• Translate analytical and AI outputs into clear insights and recommendations to inform product, clinical, and business decisions
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, contributing to architectural decisions and responsible AI practices
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Invisalign products and operational procedures
• Build effective working relationships with management and connect with diverse cross-functional teams both locally and globally
• Work efficiently in a fast-paced environment to meet critical deadlines and priority changes

What We’re Looking For

• MS or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Biostatistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field, or equivalent practical experience
• MS with 6+ years of industry experience applying data science, analytics, or machine learning to real-world product or business problems; PhD with 3+ years of industry experience
• Strong foundation in statistical analysis and experimental design, including hypothesis testing, model validation, and interpretation of results
• Proficiency in Python and/or R for data analysis, modeling, and analytics workflows
• Experience working with relational databases and large datasets (e.g., SQL-based data extraction and analysis)
• Ability to translate complex analytical or modeling results into clear insights and recommendations for technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience owning work end-to-end, from problem formulation through execution and delivery in a cross-functional environment

Desired

• Dental, medical device or pharmaceutical industry experience preferred

Pay Transparency

If provided, base salary or wage rate ranges are the range in which Align reasonably expects to set a candidate’s pay for the posted position. Actual placement depends on the individual skills and experience level of a candidate plus the total compensation and equity across team members. For other locations outside of the primary location, the base salary range will be adjusted geographically.

For Field Sales roles, the salary listed is the base pay only and does not include the applicable incentive compensation plan. A cost of living adjustment may be added to base pay for higher cost areas in the U.S.

Our internship hourly rates are a standard pay determined based on the position and your location, year in school, degree, and experience.

General Description Of All Benefits

We are pleased to provide a general description of the benefits Align offers to full-time employees in this position.

Benefits

Family Benefits. Align offers employees and their eligible dependents medical (with a Health Savings Account option for some plan offerings), dental, and vision in accordance with those plans. Align also offers to employees:

• Discounts on Invisalign and Vivera to employees and their eligible dependents after 90 days of employment
• Back-up Child/Elder Care and access to a caregiving concierge
• Family Forming Benefits – Available to Employees, and their spouse or domestic partner, covered under one of Align’s health plans
• Breast Milk Delivery and Lactation Support Services
• Employee Assistance Program
• Hinge Health Virtual Physical Therapy – Available to all employees and eligible dependents (age 18+) enrolled in an Align medical Plan

Employee benefits. Align offers its employees:

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance in accordance with those plans.
• Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment. Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse/Domestic Partner, and Child(ren) are available for purchase in accordance with those plans.
• Flexible Spending Accounts – Employees may be eligible to participate in a health care account (including a limited health FSA if enrolled in a HDHP), dependent care account, and a pre-tax commuter benefit plan.
• 401k plan (with a discretionary Company match of 50% up to 6% of eligible earnings up to a maximum match of 3%). Employer match vests after two years – 25% year one and 100% at year two. Align offers traditional, Roth, and after-tax options.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (Employees must work 20 hours or more and be employed on purchase date to be eligible).
• Paid vacation of up to 17 days during the first full year of employment (currently accrued at the rate of 5.24 hours each pay-period), which carries over to a maximum cap of 30 days. Annual paid vacation time accrual increases based on tenure. Both exempt and non-exempt employees who work 32 hours or more per week receive prorated vacation accrual based on their regularly scheduled work hours and tenure.
• Sick time is accrued throughout the year at the rate of one hour for every thirty worked. Employees can carry over unused sick leave each year, up to a maximum balance of 80 hours.
• 11 Company-designated paid holidays throughout the year.
• If employed for at least 12 consecutive months, Align will grant up to 6 weeks of paid Parental Leave. If employed for less than 12 consecutive months, Align will grant up to 4 weeks of paid Parental Leave. All parental leave must be completed within one year of the birth or placement of the child. Parental leave is in addition to any state and/or local parental leave benefits. Three days of paid bereavement leave. In some cases, due to travel the amount of paid leave may be extended to 5 paid days off. To the extent applicable state or local law offers more generous benefits, Align complies with any such law.
• Non-exempt employees will receive full pay for up to 10 days of jury duty. Exempt employees will receive their full salary during any week they serve and perform any work. Other insurance such as legal, critical illness, voluntary accident, long-term care, auto, home and pet insurance are available for purchase.

To the extent applicable state or local law offers more generous benefits, Align complies with any such law.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Align Technology is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all our practices, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, protected veteran status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected category. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are applying, and employment eligibility will be verified as a condition of hire.