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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Overview

Open roles122+
Top employerIntuit
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring28
Work type45% Hybrid
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 122+ Data Science Lead jobs

Senior Data Scientist, Identity Data Science
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Senior Data Scientist, Identity Data Science
Intuit
Mountain View, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$150k - $203k/yr
10,000+

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Senior Data Scientist, Identity Data Science
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Added 2d ago
Senior Data Scientist, Identity Data Science
Intuit
San Diego, California
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
$150k - $203k/yr
10,000+

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Data Science Manager
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Added 2d ago
Data Science Manager
Hyundai Capital America
Irvine, California
Corporate Training
Learning & Development
Technical Product & Program Management
$100k - $155k/yr
Bachelor's degree in statistics
501-1,000

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Sr Director, Data Science and Analytics
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Added 3d ago
Sr Director, Data Science and Analytics
ServiceTitan
California
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
ML (Machine Learning)
$291k - $436k/yr
1,001-5,000

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Manager, Data Science, Payments & Subscriptions
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Added 3d ago
Manager, Data Science, Payments & Subscriptions
Sony Interactive Entertainment
San Diego, California
Business Development
Partnerships & Business Development
Sales
$186k - $279k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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Data Science Lead Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Diego
10 jobs
Mountain View
9 jobs
Irvine
8 jobs
Sunnyvale
5 jobs
Menlo Park
5 jobs
Berkeley
4 jobs
Santa Clara
4 jobs

Data Science Lead Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Intuit10
  • TikTok9
  • Meta8
  • AbbVie6
  • Amazon5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software11
  • Education2
  • Banking & Financial Services2
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals2
  • Retail1

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 Intuit, TikTok, and Meta, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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 San Diego 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 64% of data science lead openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 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 122+ Data Science Lead Jobs in California

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

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