Data Science Lead Jobs in California
Data Science Lead jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, with strong demand concentrated in technology, healthcare, financial services, and entertainment analytics at every level from senior individual contributor through principal and director-adjacent lead roles. The heaviest hiring is in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where employers like Apple, Kaiser Permanente, and Wells Fargo maintain significant data science organizations. The most sought-after specialties are machine learning platform leadership, causal inference for product and marketing, and health data science. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Do you love thinking analytically? Are you passionate about solving complex business problems in a fast-paced environment? The AIML Data Operations group engages with teams across Apple’s ecosystem with the ultimate goal of delivering high-quality annotated data in support of unreleased products and groundbreaking AI technology.
We are currently seeking an experienced and influential Data Science Leader to grow the AIML Data Operations Annotations Analytics team and function. This position will lead a team of data engineers and scientists to establish top-line health metrics, identify key growth drivers, and recommend operational and business optimizations through scalable, responsive, and interpretable research and analyses.
DESCRIPTION
The ideal candidate for this role is an experienced manager with deep expertise in analytics and experimentation, excels at building strong cross-functional relationships to drive data-informed decisions across the company, and is skilled at leading teams to surface and communicate key data insights that improve performance and customer experience at a global scale.
Responsibilities
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Establish a center of excellence for Data Operations Data Science team by uncovering business-actionable insights in collaboration across our customer groups as well as the Operations team.
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Oversee large complex projects from conception to completion, develop roadmaps and requirements, identify risks and develop contingency plans, evaluate impact, and regularly communicate status to executives.
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Establish, enhance, and socialize key operational metrics that accurately represent the business state of health.
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Lead proactive analyses identifying key drivers of metrics, and make recommendations that optimize performance.
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Develop reporting measures to expand the portfolio of self-service dashboards and reports to inform, enable, and empower relevant stakeholders.
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Draft schema and instrumentation requirements to enrich operational datasets for new projects, etc.
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Identify key factors that lead to improving productivity and quality.
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Build a holistic view of analyst behaviors across the various platforms, and identify synergies that drive a more positive analyst experience and engagement.
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Develop, recruit, and train a diverse team of high-performing data engineers and scientists focused on uncovering insights from large-scale data across all aspects of the operation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics or related field.
4+ years of experience in managing data science, analytics, or data operations teams.
4+ years of experience in data science with proven skills in developing meaningful and concise analytic objectives from general business goals.
Tested capabilities and comfort in scalable schema designs, relational database and big data technologies, ETL, code management, and query performance optimization.
Mastery in SQL-based languages, and proficiency in at least one large-scale data language.
Strong hands-on experience interpretable with machine learning models and sophisticated analytic solutions using scripting tools such as Python or R.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Masters degree or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics or related field.
Experience with the deployment of Large Language Models / Generative AI in service of efficiency in operations.
Excellent communication and presentation skills with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to collaborate effectively between business and analytic teams at multiple levels of the organization.
Experience in managing data science or analytics teams in AI & ML annotations and collections areas.
Passion for AIML and Operations, with a consistent track record of operational results.
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $176,600 and $313,500, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
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Find Data Science Lead JobsData Science Lead Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Data Science Lead Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Capital One27

- Apple13

- TikTok8

- OpenAI7

- Adobe6

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software79
- Banking & Financial Services38
- Electronics & Hardware20
- Fintech18
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals14
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in data science lead jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in statistics, computer science, or a quantitative field required
- Five or more years of hands-on data science experience with at least two in a lead or senior role
- Proficiency in Python or R alongside SQL for large-scale data manipulation and modeling
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams or mentoring junior data scientists
- Expertise in machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn
- Experience deploying production ML models and working within cloud environments like AWS or GCP
Data Science Lead Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a data science lead in California?
The path to a data science lead role in California typically starts with a bachelor's or master's degree in statistics, computer science, mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline. California does not require a state-issued license for data science leads. Most employers expect several years of individual contributor experience before promoting to lead, along with a portfolio demonstrating end-to-end project ownership, cross-functional collaboration, and mentorship of junior team members.
How much do data science leads make in California?
Data science leads 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 leads in California?
Employers hiring data science leads in California right now include Capital One, Apple, and TikTok, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's mix of major tech headquarters, large healthcare systems, and established financial institutions means demand is spread across multiple industries rather than concentrated in a single sector.
Which California cities have the most data science lead jobs?
San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles have the most data science lead openings in California. San Francisco leads because of its density of technology headquarters and venture-backed companies, Los Angeles reflects growth in entertainment analytics, ad tech, and healthcare data, and San Diego is driven by its life sciences and defense technology industries, which have expanded their data science teams significantly in recent years.
Are there remote data science lead jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. Data science lead work is almost entirely analytical and collaborative by nature, making it well suited to remote and hybrid arrangements. About 25% of data science lead openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting broader technology industry norms. The parts of the role most commonly done remotely include model development, code review, and stakeholder reporting, while on-site presence is sometimes expected for leadership meetings or quarterly planning.
How can I get hired as a data science lead in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a senior data scientist or data scientist II role at a mid-size or large California employer, then demonstrating project leadership before applying to explicit lead titles. Large California employers including technology companies in the Bay Area and healthcare systems like Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health run structured new-grad and rotational analytics programs that accelerate this trajectory. Building a public portfolio on GitHub, contributing to open-source ML projects, and earning credentials in cloud ML platforms give candidates a measurable edge when competing for first lead roles.
Where can I find and apply to data science lead jobs in California?
You can find and apply to data science lead jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 220+ Data Science Lead Jobs in California
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