Data Science Lead Jobs in Boston, MA
Data Science Lead jobs in Boston are concentrated in the Longwood Medical Area, the Seaport District, and Kendall Square-adjacent neighborhoods across life sciences, financial services, and technology. Employers actively hiring include XPO, Collegium Pharmaceutical, and BNY. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 27+ Data Science Lead jobs
What you’ll need to succeed as a Lead Scientist, Data Science at XPO
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent related work or military experience
- 4 years of experience in data science, operations research, or data analysis with a focus on AI-driven analytics, statistical modeling, machine learning, forecasting, or optimization
- Experience in at least one programming language such as Python, R, SQL, SAS, Spark, Java, etc., with practical applications in AI or ML projects
- Familiarity with AI techniques and machine learning algorithms, including supervised and unsupervised learning
- Strong communication skills with a knack for translating complex AI concepts into clear business insights
Preferred qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, or any related quantitative discipline
- A Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, AI, Data Science, or a related quantitative field
- years of hands-on experience in developing and deploying optimization solutions
- 5+ years’ experience in pricing optimization, demand forecasting, utilizing statistical modeling, machine learning, and reinforcement learning techniques.
- Experience with causal inference and measurement methods for analyzing the impact of pricing algorithms on revenue
- Experience with reinforcement learning for pricing optimization, decision-making, and consumer behavior modeling
- Proven track record of delivering AI-enabled insights that improved operations, financial performance, or customer experience
- Strong foundation in statistics including hypothesis testing, anomaly detection, and statistical inference, as applied in AI model validation
- Hands-on experience building and deploying AI models, including supervised, unsupervised, and deep learning methods
About the Lead Scientist, Data Science job
What you’ll do on a typical day:
- Leverage Machine Learning, AI, statistical and/or optimization methods to solve various problems in Pricing, Sales, and Finance in order to optimize revenue for the company
- Work with a team of data scientists and engineers to design, test and implement models into in-house software solutions
- You will be a thought leader for the practice of Data Science and Analytics across the organization
- Explore and research cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence techniques and statistical methods, to identify opportunities to drive process improvements through analytics and automation
- Conduct and present ad-hoc analyses to senior leaders within the business and technology organizations
- Communicate with technical and business-oriented audiences
- Serve as a subject matter expert in applying AI techniques to logistics and transportation challenges
- Leverage advanced data science methods, including machine learning, deep learning, and optimization, to enhance business performance
- Perform analytics ranging from predictive to prescriptive and cognitive, aligning with AI maturity levels based on project needs
- Combine technical skills in AI and data science with strong business acumen to deliver real-world impact at XPO
Annual Salary Range: $129, 446 to $161,807. Actual compensation may vary due to factors such as experience and skill set.
In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for a sign-on bonus, annual and long-term incentive awards, and an equity buyout award. This is an incentive-based position, which may include bonuses, incentive or commission plans.
About XPO
XPO is a top ten global provider of transportation services, with a highly integrated network of people, technology and physical assets. At XPO, we look for employees who like a challenge and can communicate effectively in all situations. We want to leverage your skills and years of experience to drive positive results while ensuring a bright future for yourself and XPO. If you’re looking for a growth opportunity, join us at XPO.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, disability, veteran or other protected status.
All applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment may be required to take and pass a pre-employment drug test.
The above statements are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties and skills for this job classification.
Review XPO's candidate privacy statement here.
What you’ll need to succeed as a Lead Scientist, Data Science at XPO
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent related work or military experience
- 4 years of experience in data science, operations research, or data analysis with a focus on AI-driven analytics, statistical modeling, machine learning, forecasting, or optimization
- Experience in at least one programming language such as Python, R, SQL, SAS, Spark, Java, etc., with practical applications in AI or ML projects
- Familiarity with AI techniques and machine learning algorithms, including supervised and unsupervised learning
- Strong communication skills with a knack for translating complex AI concepts into clear business insights
Preferred qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, or any related quantitative discipline
- A Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, AI, Data Science, or a related quantitative field
- years of hands-on experience in developing and deploying optimization solutions
- 5+ years’ experience in pricing optimization, demand forecasting, utilizing statistical modeling, machine learning, and reinforcement learning techniques.
- Experience with causal inference and measurement methods for analyzing the impact of pricing algorithms on revenue
- Experience with reinforcement learning for pricing optimization, decision-making, and consumer behavior modeling
- Proven track record of delivering AI-enabled insights that improved operations, financial performance, or customer experience
- Strong foundation in statistics including hypothesis testing, anomaly detection, and statistical inference, as applied in AI model validation
- Hands-on experience building and deploying AI models, including supervised, unsupervised, and deep learning methods
About the Lead Scientist, Data Science job
What you’ll do on a typical day:
- Leverage Machine Learning, AI, statistical and/or optimization methods to solve various problems in Pricing, Sales, and Finance in order to optimize revenue for the company
- Work with a team of data scientists and engineers to design, test and implement models into in-house software solutions
- You will be a thought leader for the practice of Data Science and Analytics across the organization
- Explore and research cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence techniques and statistical methods, to identify opportunities to drive process improvements through analytics and automation
- Conduct and present ad-hoc analyses to senior leaders within the business and technology organizations
- Communicate with technical and business-oriented audiences
- Serve as a subject matter expert in applying AI techniques to logistics and transportation challenges
- Leverage advanced data science methods, including machine learning, deep learning, and optimization, to enhance business performance
- Perform analytics ranging from predictive to prescriptive and cognitive, aligning with AI maturity levels based on project needs
- Combine technical skills in AI and data science with strong business acumen to deliver real-world impact at XPO
Annual Salary Range: $129, 446 to $161,807. Actual compensation may vary due to factors such as experience and skill set.
In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for a sign-on bonus, annual and long-term incentive awards, and an equity buyout award. This is an incentive-based position, which may include bonuses, incentive or commission plans.
About XPO
XPO is a top ten global provider of transportation services, with a highly integrated network of people, technology and physical assets. At XPO, we look for employees who like a challenge and can communicate effectively in all situations. We want to leverage your skills and years of experience to drive positive results while ensuring a bright future for yourself and XPO. If you’re looking for a growth opportunity, join us at XPO.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, disability, veteran or other protected status.
All applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment may be required to take and pass a pre-employment drug test.
The above statements are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties and skills for this job classification.
Review XPO's candidate privacy statement here.
See All 27 Data Science Lead Jobs in Boston
Find roles in Boston that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Data Science Lead JobsData Science Lead Job Market in Boston
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Medical Devices
- Technology & Software
Data Science Lead Jobs in Boston: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a data science lead job in Boston?
Target Boston's three strongest hiring pockets: the Seaport and downtown financial district for fintech and asset management roles, Longwood and the Fenway corridor for life sciences and healthcare analytics, and Kendall Square-adjacent tech firms for platform and product analytics. Candidates with experience leading a team of data scientists and translating model outputs into business decisions stand out in this market. Python, machine learning, and stakeholder communication are consistently prioritized across all three sectors.
Which companies hire data science leads in Boston?
Employers hiring data science leads in Boston right now include XPO, Collegium Pharmaceutical, and BNY, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Boston's hiring mix skews toward biotech and pharma companies, established financial services firms, and mid-size tech companies that have grown headcount in the Seaport and Innovation District over the past several years.
Are there remote data science lead jobs in Boston?
Yes, though many lead roles require enough in-person collaboration that fully remote positions are less common than for individual contributor data science work. About 41% of data science lead openings tied to Boston are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how widely employers have adopted flexible arrangements. Strategic planning, stakeholder reporting, and model review work tends to be most amenable to remote days, while team sprint cycles and cross-functional launches often require on-site presence.
How can I get a data science lead job in Boston with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is building a record as a senior individual contributor at a Boston employer before stepping into a lead title. Biotech and pharma companies in the Longwood corridor and Kendall Square area frequently hire senior data scientists who take on informal mentoring and project ownership before formal promotion. Entry points also include analytics engineering and machine learning engineer roles at Boston-area tech firms, where cross-functional exposure accelerates the move into a lead position.
Which industries hire the most data science leads in Boston?
The sectors hiring the most data science leads in Boston are Medical Devices and Technology & Software, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Boston's concentration of research hospitals, biotech companies, and investment management firms creates unusually deep and consistent demand for leads who can manage both technical pipelines and clinical or financial stakeholder relationships.
Related Jobs in Massachusetts
See All 27 Data Science Lead Jobs in Boston
Find roles in Boston that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Data Science Lead Jobs