Staff Data Scientist

Role Overview

• Lead the design and implementation of causal inference frameworks (e.g., uplift modeling, DML, IVs, DiD, synthetic control) to measure true incremental impact across personalization, marketing, and lifecycle interventions
• Establish and standardize methodologies for incrementality, experimentation, and measurement across channels and product surfaces
• Build and scale LTV models (user-level and cohort-based), including churn-adjusted and horizon-specific approaches, for real-time decisioning
• Develop and deploy personalization models that influence ranking, offer selection, content sequencing, and monetization strategies at the moment of user intent
• Ship production-grade machine learning models that directly drive revenue outcomes, including marketplace optimization, partner routing, and budget allocation
• Translate predictive outputs (e.g., conversion propensity, incremental CPA, expected LTV) into decision-ready signals for real-time systems
• Partner with Data Engineering and Platform teams to define data instrumentation, feature stores (batch and streaming), and model monitoring frameworks (drift, bias, stability)
• Influence architectural decisions across modern data and ML platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks, Spark, real-time inference systems)
• Provide technical leadership across teams by setting best practices for experimentation, modeling, code quality, and reproducibility
• Mentor and develop senior and mid-level data scientists, raising the overall technical bar across the organization
• Communicate complex analytical insights and trade-offs to executive stakeholders, translating findings into actionable business strategies
• Shape long-term strategy for personalization, experimentation, and AI-driven growth at NerdWallet

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in applied machine learning, causal inference, experimentation, or related quantitative fields
• Deep expertise in causal inference methodologies (e.g., uplift modeling, doubly robust learners, instrumental variables, difference-in-differences, synthetic control, Bayesian time series)
• Proven experience building and operationalizing LTV models for real-time or near-real-time applications
• Strong software engineering and production ML experience, including Python (pandas, numpy, scikit-learn, LightGBM/XGBoost) and PySpark, Advanced SQL
• Experience with distributed systems and modern data platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks, Spark, AWS/GCP/Azure), Version control and ML lifecycle tools (e.g., Git, MLflow)
• Hands-on experience with experimentation frameworks, A/B testing, and statistical diagnostics (e.g., power analysis, bias detection)
• Demonstrated success deploying models that materially impact revenue, efficiency, or user experience
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence Product, Marketing, Finance, and executive stakeholders
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to operate in ambiguous, high-impact problem spaces.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with marketplace optimization, ranking systems, or auction-based environments
• Familiarity with contextual bandits, reinforcement learning, or sequential decision-making systems
• Knowledge of streaming data architectures (e.g., Kafka, Kinesis), orchestration tools (e.g., Airflow, DBT), and feature stores (e.g., Tecton, Feast)
• Domain experience in fintech, marketplaces, growth, or performance marketing

Tech Stack

• Airflow
• AWS
• Azure
• Distributed Systems
• Google Cloud Platform
• Kafka
• Numpy
• Pandas
• PySpark
• Python
• Scikit-Learn
• Spark
• SQL

Benefits

• Industry-leading medical, dental, and vision health care plans for employees and their dependents
• Rejuvenation Policy – Flexible Vacation Time Off + 11 holidays + holiday company shutdown
• New Parent Leave for employees with a newborn child or a child placed with them for adoption or foster care
• Mental health support
• Paid sabbatical after 5 years for Nerds to recharge, gain knowledge, and pursue their interests
• Health and Dependent Care FSA and HSA Plan with monthly NerdWallet contribution
• Monthly Wellness Stipend, Cell Phone Stipend, and Wifi Stipend (Only remote Nerds are eligible for the Wifi Stipend)
• Work from home equipment stipend and co-working space subsidy (Only remote Nerds are eligible for these stipends)