Sr Data Scientist - Hybrid (PA/NJ/DE)

Independence Blue Cross, LLC in; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Blue Cross (IBX) is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to join our Data Science and ML team. You will design, deploy, and monitor scalable ML/AI solutions on GCP, partnering with stakeholders and engineers to deliver measurable business value.

You will lead end-to-end ML lifecycles, apply NLP/LLM techniques, and mentor junior members while advancing data science practices across the organization.

Qualifications

• Hands-on data science product delivery from conception to monitoring.
• Ability to translate business problems into scalable AI solutions.
• Strong understanding of ML lifecycle: development, validation, deployment, and governance.
• Proficient in Python and SQL with modular, maintainable code.
• Experience with cloud platforms, preferably GCP; other clouds valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development of ML/AI solutions, including framing, data prep, modeling, deployment, and monitoring.
• Partner with stakeholders to define problems, shape analytical strategies, and deliver insights.
• Develop, evaluate, and optimize models using advanced statistics and experiments.
• Deploy, monitor, and maintain production ML/AI solutions with scalable performance.
• Conduct model bias audits; ensure fairness, explainability, and governance alignment.
• Interpret results, communicate risks and recommendations to leadership and teams.
• Explore NLP, LLM, and Generative AI to automate processes and create innovative solutions.
• Promote MLOps, CI/CD, and production AI best practices; mentor juniors.
• Stay current with AI and GCP advances and share knowledge across the organization.

Skills

Python

SQL

GCP

NLP

LLM

Generative AI

MLOps

CI/CD

BigQuery

R (plus)

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field

Master’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field

PhD or higher in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field

Tools

GitHub

BigQuery

Microsoft Copilot

CI/CD tooling

R

Job description

Independence Blue Cross (IBX) is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Data Scientist to join our dynamic Data Science and Machine Learning team. As a Senior Data Scientist at IBX, you will leverage Google Cloud Platform (GCP) tools and technologies, such as Agent Platform and BigQuery, to design, build, deploy, and monitor scalable machine learning and AI solutions. You will work closely with business stakeholders, data engineers, machine learning engineers, and fellow data scientists to solve complex business challenges and drive measurable business value. You will also play a key role in advancing data science best practices, mentoring team members, and fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. If you are passionate about data science, AI, and healthcare, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

As a Senior Data Scientist, you will perform the following tasks:

• Lead the end-to-end development lifecycle of machine learning and AI solutions, including problem framing, data preparation, feature engineering, model development, validation, deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with business stakeholders and cross-functional teams as a trusted analytics advisor, helping define business problems, shape analytical strategies, and deliver actionable insights and solutions.
• Develop, evaluate, and optimize machine learning models, leveraging advanced statistical techniques and experimentation methodologies to address complex business needs.
• Deploy, monitor, and maintain production-ready machine learning and AI solutions, ensuring scalability, reliability, performance, and operational excellence.
• Conduct model bias audits and ensure models are fair, ethical, explainable, and aligned with IBX values, standards, and governance requirements.
• Interpret results, identify limitations, assumptions, and risks, and communicate recommendations effectively to business stakeholders, senior leadership, and technical teams.
• Explore, develop, and apply NLP, LLM, and Generative AI solutions (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, Claude Code, AI agents, RAG, and agentic workflows) to automate processes, improve business outcomes, and create innovative solutions.
• Promote data science best practices across model development, software engineering, CI/CD, MLOps, and production AI systems while mentoring junior team members and fostering technical excellence.
• Stay current with emerging developments in data science, machine learning, Generative AI, and GCP technologies, and share knowledge and insights across the organization.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will need to have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field with 6+ years of experience in data science, machine learning, or a similar role
• OR
• Master’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field with 4+ years of experience in data science, machine learning, or a similar role
• OR
• PhD or higher in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field with 2+ years of experience in data science, machine learning, or a similar role

Technical Qualifications

• Hands-on experience building and delivering data science products that solve real-world business problems, including project conception, problem definition, cohort design, feature engineering, model development, deployment, and monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead analytical initiatives, influence stakeholders, and translate complex business problems into scalable data science and AI solutions.
• Strong understanding of the machine learning lifecycle, including model development, validation, deployment, monitoring, governance, and productionization of AI solutions.
• Strong foundation in statistics, predictive modeling, experimentation, simulation methodologies, and analytical problem solving.
• Proficient in Python and SQL, with experience developing modular, maintainable code, using GitHub or similar version control platforms, and implementing CI/CD workflows. Experience with R is a plus.
• Experience with cloud platforms is preferred, with GCP (e.g., Agent Platform, BigQuery) strongly preferred. Experience with AWS, Azure, or similar cloud technologies is also valued.
• Experience working with NLP, LLM, and Generative AI technologies, including AI-assisted development tools, agentic workflows, and production-ready AI applications.
• Experience deploying, monitoring, and optimizing machine learning and Generative AI solutions in production environments.
• Experience leveraging AI-assisted development tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Claude Code, Cursor, or similar technologies to improve development productivity and solution quality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a healthcare-related field or working with healthcare data is preferred.
• Experience with pricing strategy, simulation modeling, scenario analysis, forecasting, or optimization techniques is a plus.
• Experience applying advanced statistical methods, Bayesian modeling, causal inference, or experimentation frameworks is a plus.
• Knowledge of graph analytics, graph databases, graph-based machine learning, or network analysis techniques is a plus.
• Experience fine-tuning, evaluating, and optimizing large language models is a plus.
• Experience with MLOps, model governance, observability, and enterprise-scale AI systems is a plus.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, consulting, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Passion and enthusiasm to learn about, explore, and apply data science and AI applications in healthcare.

Hybrid

Independence has implemented a “Hybrid” model which consists of Associates working in the office 3 days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) and remotely 2 days a week (Monday & Friday). This role is designated as a role that fits into the “Hybrid” model. While associates may work remotely on our designated remote days, the work must be performed in the Tri-State Area of Delaware, New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

IBX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or disability.

Must have an Android or iOS device which is compatible with the free Microsoft Authenticator app.

Inclusion and Belonging

At IBX, everyone can feel valued, supported, and comfortable to be themselves, and all associates have a fair opportunity to achieve their full potential. We put these principles into action every day by acting with integrity and respect. Celebrating and embracing diverse thoughts and perspectives that make up our workforce means our company is more vibrant, innovative, and better able to support the people and communities we serve.

About Our Company

Serving more than 8 million people nationwide, including 2.5 million in southeastern Pennsylvania, Independence Health Group — together with its subsidiaries — is the leading health insurance organization in the Philadelphia region. Our mission to build healthier lives for you, your family, and your employees shapes our actions and decisions every day.

At Independence, we see each of our members as an individual, with unique needs and concerns. We’re dedicated to harnessing the very latest ideas and technologies to deliver access to care that meets those needs and surpasses your expectations. For more information about Independence access our website at www.ibx.com. We’re revolutionizing health care, and our focus is on you!

IBX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or disability.

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