Data Science Director Jobs in California
Data Science Director jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, biotech, financial services, and entertainment analytics, with demand for both emerging and seasoned leaders. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego are the primary hiring metros, home to major employers like Apple, Google, and Kaiser Permanente. The most sought-after specialties include machine learning platform leadership, clinical and health data strategy, and product analytics at scale. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
We’re looking for a seasoned analytics leader to drive data-informed decisions for Meta. You will play a critical role in helping Meta build the platforms of the future. You will partner with the product and business teams that build and grow our infrastructure for the future of Meta. You will be focused on results, be proactive, deliver rigorous analyses, and use data to drive change in products, strategies, and organizations.
ABOUT THE ROLE
People leadership: You will inspire, lead and grow a world-class team.
Product leadership: You will use data to shape development, quantify new opportunities, identify upcoming challenges, and ensure the products we build bring value to people, businesses, and Meta. You will help your partner teams prioritize what to build, set goals, and understand their product’s ecosystem.
Analytics: You will guide teams using data and insights. You will focus on developing hypotheses and employ a broad toolkit of rigorous analytical approaches, different methodologies, frameworks, and technical approaches to test them.
Communication and influence: You won’t simply present data, but tell data-driven stories. You will convince and influence your partners using clear insights and recommendations. You will build credibility through structure and clarity, and be a trusted strategic partner.
DATA SCIENCE DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Inspire, lead and grow a distributed team of data scientists and data science leaders across North America
- Apply your expertise in quantitative analysis, data mining, and the presentation of data in developing data-informed strategies for growing and improving our product offerings.
- Contribute to long-term technical vision and strategy methods and metrics that will improve the quality and efficiency of our products at scale.
- Lead development and communication of product area insights and recommended action items with Meta Analytics leadership.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- 10+ years of work experience managing analytics teams, working collaboratively with Product and Infrastructure teams, and guiding data-influenced product and business planning, prioritization and strategy development.
- Demonstrated experience in hiring, retaining and scaling geographically dispersed, high-performing teams with a broad range of experiences, perspectives, approaches, and backgrounds.
- Proven experience influencing strategy and driving change across org boundaries through clear and compelling communication of data-driven insights and analyses.
- Intellectual curiosity, drive, and decisiveness with ambiguous and complex environments.
- Experience working effectively with multiple stakeholders and cross-functionally.
- Effective communication skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with both product and business analytics work and demonstrated to deliver an integrated approach.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements).
- Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews).
- Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies.
ABOUT META:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
COMPENSATION
- $253,000/year to $314,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.
See All 144+ Data Science Director Jobs in California
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Find Data Science Director JobsData Science Director Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Data Science Director Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Revolution Medicines9

- Adobe7

- Alvarez & Marsal5

- Meta5

- Roblox4

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software53
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals29
- Consulting & Professional Services12
- Banking & Financial Services9
- Media & Entertainment8
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in data science director jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in data science, statistics, computer science, or a related field
- Seven or more years of data science experience including people management or team leadership
- Proficiency in Python, R, SQL, and modern machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch
- Demonstrated experience building and scaling data science teams in cross-functional environments
- Strong background in translating business problems into data-driven strategies and measurable outcomes
- Experience with cloud platforms such as Google Cloud, AWS, or Azure in a production analytics environment
Data Science Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a data science director in California?
Most data science directors in California hold at least a master's degree in data science, statistics, or computer science, though a bachelor's combined with substantial industry experience is common at top California tech and biotech employers. There is no state-issued license required for this role. The typical California path moves from individual contributor analyst or machine learning engineer roles through a senior scientist or staff position before stepping into people management and ultimately a director title at a California-headquartered company or research organization.
How much do data science directors make in California?
Data science directors in California earn a median of about $141,590 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,480 for the lowest 10% to over $224,920 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire data science directors in California?
Employers hiring data science directors in California right now include Revolution Medicines, Adobe, and Alvarez & Marsal, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, health systems, and financial institutions means director-level data science roles appear consistently across both large enterprise employers and well-funded growth-stage companies in the state.
Which California cities have the most data science director jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Redwood City have the most data science director openings in California. San Francisco and the broader Bay Area lead because of the density of technology headquarters and venture-backed companies there, Los Angeles draws director-level demand from media, entertainment analytics, and a growing tech sector, and San Diego's concentration of biotech and life sciences firms generates consistent openings for leaders who can oversee clinical and genomic data programs.
Are there remote data science director jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 25% of data science director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how central this role is to distributed engineering and product organizations. Strategy, modeling oversight, and stakeholder reporting are the parts of the role most often performed fully remote, while roles involving sensitive health or financial data typically require at least a hybrid presence.
How can I get hired as a data science director in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a senior individual contributor role first, then building toward management. Large California employers like Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo, and California-based technology companies run associate data scientist and rotational analytics programs designed for candidates early in their careers. Transitioning from adjacent roles such as machine learning engineer, quantitative analyst, or analytics manager is a common bridge. Building a portfolio that demonstrates end-to-end project ownership, and earning credentials like a graduate degree from a UC campus or a professional certification in machine learning, strengthens a California candidacy at the director pipeline level.
Where can I find and apply to data science director jobs in California?
You can find and apply to data science director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across technology, healthcare, financial services, and other industries. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 144+ Data Science Director Jobs in California
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