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.

Find Data Science Lead Jobs

Overview

Open roles220+
Top employerCapital One
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring36
Work type75% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 220+ Data Science Lead jobs

Apple
Data Science Leader
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Apple
Added 3w ago
Data Science Leader
Apple
Cupertino, California
Data Science & Analytics
Business Analysis
Project & Program Management
Data Science
Project Management
$177k - $314k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Apple
Data Science Leader
We won't show you this job again
Apple
Added 3w ago
Data Science Leader
Apple
Cupertino, California
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Project & Program Management
Business Analysis
Data Science
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Project Management
$177k - $314k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Apple
Sr. Data Science Leader
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Apple
Added 3w ago
Sr. Data Science Leader
Apple
Cupertino, California
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Strategy & Corporate Development
Project & Program Management
Data Science
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Business Strategy
Project Management
$263k - $394k/yr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Tiger Analytics
Data Science Leader
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Tiger Analytics
Added 2mo ago
Data Science Leader
Tiger Analytics
California City, California
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Business Analysis
Project & Program Management
Data Science
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Project Management
On-Site
Bachelor's

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AbbVie
Data Science Program Lead I
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AbbVie
Added 1w ago
Data Science Program Lead I
AbbVie
Irvine, California
Project & Program Management
Data Science & Analytics
Healthcare Administration
Project Management
Data Science
$85k - $162k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

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Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Data Science Lead Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
54 jobs
San Jose
48 jobs
Los Angeles
12 jobs
Santa Clara
11 jobs
Mountain View
9 jobs
San Diego
9 jobs
Sunnyvale
8 jobs
Cupertino
7 jobs
Palo Alto
7 jobs

Data Science Lead Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Capital One
    Capital One27
  • Apple
    Apple13
  • TikTok
    TikTok8
  • OpenAI
    OpenAI7
  • Adobe
    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

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Data Science Lead Jobs