Sr Principal Data Scientist

Progressive; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 145,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Medical/Dental/Vision

Wellness programs

PTO

Parental leave

Diversity & inclusion

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Progressive is seeking a senior principal data scientist on the Enterprise AI team. You’ll report to the Chief AI Officer and provide enterprise-level technical leadership and analytical rigor across initiatives that span multiple business lines.

You will translate opportunities into measurable outcomes, govern and scale responsible AI solutions, and collaborate with business and technology partners to drive adoption and value for Progressive.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in statistical modeling or machine learning with large data sets.

Responsibilities

• Provide enterprise-level technical leadership across AI initiatives.
• Design and govern AI solutions that are scalable and responsible.
• Collaborate with business and technology teams to translate opportunities into measurable outcomes.

Skills

Statistical/Quantitative Modeling

Machine Learning tools (R, Python)

Database tools (Hadoop, SQL)

Enterprise AI leadership

Model deployment

Evaluation frameworks for LLMs

Education

Bachelor's degree in Econometrics/Statistics/CS

Master's degree or higher in quantitative field

Tools

R

Python

Hadoop

SQL

Job description

Progressive is dedicated to helping employees move forward and live fully in their careers. Your journey has already begun.

As a senior principal data scientist on the Enterprise AI team, you’ll report to the Chief AI Officer and provide enterprise-level technical leadership and analytical rigor. In this role, you’ll support enterprise-wide initiatives across multiple business lines. Helping apply modern AI capabilities to important business opportunities, translating them into measurable outcomes. You’ll work across business and technology teams to shape, govern, evaluate, and scale responsible AI solutions to support Progressive’s business strategy.

Minimum qualifications

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in Statistical/Quantitative Modeling and/or Machine Learning tools and in using various database tools processing large volumes of structured and unstructured data.
• Bachelor's degree with quantitative focus in Econometrics, Statistics, Operations Research, Computer Science or related field (e.g. Mathematics) and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in Statistical/Quantitative Modeling and/or Machine Learning tools (R, Python, etc.) and in using various database tools (e.g. Hadoop, SQL) processing large volumes of structured and unstructured data.
• Master's degree or higher with quantitative focus in Econometrics, Statistics, Operations Research, Computer Science or related field (e.g. Mathematics) and a minimum of 3 year of relevant experience in Statistical/Quantitative Modeling and/or Machine Learning tools (R, Python, etc.) and in using various database tools (e.g. Hadoop, SQL) processing large volumes of structured and unstructured data.

Preferred Skills

• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-scale AI or data science initiatives from concept through deployment, adoption, and measurable business impact.
• Deep expertise in modern AI systems, including LLMs, agentic architectures and deployment patterns, retrieval and context design, and advanced machine learning.
• Experience designing rigorous evaluation frameworks for LLM and agentic systems, including testing, experimentation, monitoring, reliability, safety, and performance measurement.
• Strong technical fluency in production AI architecture, software and data engineering practices, cloud environments, and model lifecycle management.
• Ability to translate emerging technical capabilities into practical business applications, influence senior cross-functional partners, and recognize when a simpler non-AI solution will create greater value.

Compensation

• Base: $144,900 - $207,000/year
• Gainshare annual cash incentive payment up to 50% of your eligible earnings based on company performance
• Participation in our restricted stock units plan

Benefits

• 401(k) with a dollar-for-dollar company match up to 6%
• Medical, dental & vision, including free preventative care
• Wellness & mental health programs
• Health care flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, & life insurance
• Paid time off,including volunteer time off
• Paid & unpaid sick leave where applicable, as well as short & long-term disability
• Parental & family leave; military leave & pay
• Diverse, inclusive & welcoming culture with Employee Resource Groups
• Career development & tuition assistance
• Energage recognizes Progressive as a 2026 Top Workplace for: Innovation, Purposes & Values, Work-Life Flexibility, Compensation & Benefits, and Leadership.

Equal Opportunity Employer