Mid Level Data Science Lead Jobs
Mid level data science lead jobs go to professionals ready to own analytical projects end to end, guide junior teammates, and shape data-driven decisions with minimal day-to-day oversight. Openings are predominantly remote and hybrid across Consulting & Professional Services, Technology & Software, and Distribution & Wholesale, with employers like Capital One, Biogen, and Amazon Web Services hiring at this level now.
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Responsibilities
About the team
E-commerce's Governance and Experience is a global team responsible for ensuring our TikTok Shop marketplace is safe and trustworthy for users, sellers, and creators. We value user satisfaction and work on policies, rules, and systems to ensure quality.
About the role
As the Data Science Manager for Risk Control and Security within TikTok Shop’s USDS (U.S. Data Security) division, you will be at the forefront of protecting one of the world's fastest-growing e-commerce ecosystems. This is a high-impact leadership role where you will oversee the analytical engine that detects, prevents, and mitigates risks across the platform. You will lead a team of talented data scientists to generate insights and build the defense mechanisms that ensure TikTok Shop remains a safe and trusted marketplace for millions of U.S. users. This role requires a blend of technical mastery, strategic foresight, and the ability to navigate complex global organizational structures.
Responsibilities:
- Team Leadership & Operations: Directly manage a high-performing team of data scientists. You will oversee the delivery of core analytical outputs, including:
- Defining and tracking key metrics for risk and security.
- Building and maintaining scalable data pipelines and automated reporting.
- Executing deep-dive analyses to uncover emerging fraud patterns or security threats, explain trends, and support strategic decisions.
- Developing and refining automation rules, models, and risk strategies to proactively detect bad actors.
- Utilizing AI and AI tools to make the entire team more efficient.
- Global Stakeholder Alignment: Act as the primary bridge between the USDS data analyst team and global stakeholders. You will align local requirements with global initiatives, ensuring team resources are allocated to the highest-priority areas.
- Strategic Initiatives: Identify opportunities to improve risk controls, processes, and infrastructure, then initiate and execute data-driven projects—from initial concept to full-scale implementation—that enhance platform integrity and team efficiency.
- AI-Driven Talent Development: Lead the team into the next generation of data science. You are responsible for upskilling the team to thrive in the era of AI, integrating Large Language Models (LLMs), advanced statistical methodologies, and modeling techniques into daily workflows and risk-detection strategies.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Experience: 5+ years of experience in Data Science, Risk Analytics, Cybersecurity, or related field with 3+ years in a people management capacity.
- Technical Depth: Mastery of SQL and Python/R. Deep experience with big data environments (eg. Hive, Hadoop, Spark) and automated workflow tools.
- Risk Expertise: Proven experience developing automated rules or strategies for fraud detection, trust & safety, or platform security.
- Global Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships across different time zones and cultural contexts.
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a quantitative field (e.g., Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, or Mathematics).
Preferred Qualifications
- AI/ML Integration: Experience leveraging AI/ML tools to automate traditional data science tasks or improve detection accuracy.
- E-commerce Background: Prior experience in a marketplace or e-commerce environment.
- Familiarity with privacy and data security: Knowledge of U.S. privacy and data security requirements and the unique challenges of managing data within a highly regulated environment.
- Communication: A "storyteller" mindset—the ability to turn complex data points into a clear strategic narrative for executive leadership.
About USDS
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is dedicated to the safety and security of millions of Americans who create, discover, and connect with what they love on the apps we operate. The Joint Venture has been established in compliance with the Executive Order signed by President Trump on September 25, 2025. Our foundation is a comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity program we operate under defined safeguards to protect national security and secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm. We safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem, holding decision-making authority for trust and safety policies and moderation. USDS Joint Venture helps ensure Americans can continue to express their creativity, discover new hobbies and interests, and build thriving communities and businesses on a global scale.
On-site presence across teams allows the company to operate with greater speed, alignment, and agility — especially in areas like real-time decision-making, team development, and integrated execution. As such, the company is shifting from a hybrid work model to a fully in-person schedule up to 5 days a week.
Why Join Us
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy – a mission we work towards every day.
We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
Diversity & Inclusion
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
USDS Reasonable Accommodation
USDS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at https://tinyurl.com/USDS-RA
Job Information
【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually) The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $190950 - $375516 annually. Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.
Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).
The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates:
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:
1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.
Responsibilities
About the team
E-commerce's Governance and Experience is a global team responsible for ensuring our TikTok Shop marketplace is safe and trustworthy for users, sellers, and creators. We value user satisfaction and work on policies, rules, and systems to ensure quality.
About the role
As the Data Science Manager for Risk Control and Security within TikTok Shop’s USDS (U.S. Data Security) division, you will be at the forefront of protecting one of the world's fastest-growing e-commerce ecosystems. This is a high-impact leadership role where you will oversee the analytical engine that detects, prevents, and mitigates risks across the platform. You will lead a team of talented data scientists to generate insights and build the defense mechanisms that ensure TikTok Shop remains a safe and trusted marketplace for millions of U.S. users. This role requires a blend of technical mastery, strategic foresight, and the ability to navigate complex global organizational structures.
Responsibilities:
- Team Leadership & Operations: Directly manage a high-performing team of data scientists. You will oversee the delivery of core analytical outputs, including:
- Defining and tracking key metrics for risk and security.
- Building and maintaining scalable data pipelines and automated reporting.
- Executing deep-dive analyses to uncover emerging fraud patterns or security threats, explain trends, and support strategic decisions.
- Developing and refining automation rules, models, and risk strategies to proactively detect bad actors.
- Utilizing AI and AI tools to make the entire team more efficient.
- Global Stakeholder Alignment: Act as the primary bridge between the USDS data analyst team and global stakeholders. You will align local requirements with global initiatives, ensuring team resources are allocated to the highest-priority areas.
- Strategic Initiatives: Identify opportunities to improve risk controls, processes, and infrastructure, then initiate and execute data-driven projects—from initial concept to full-scale implementation—that enhance platform integrity and team efficiency.
- AI-Driven Talent Development: Lead the team into the next generation of data science. You are responsible for upskilling the team to thrive in the era of AI, integrating Large Language Models (LLMs), advanced statistical methodologies, and modeling techniques into daily workflows and risk-detection strategies.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Experience: 5+ years of experience in Data Science, Risk Analytics, Cybersecurity, or related field with 3+ years in a people management capacity.
- Technical Depth: Mastery of SQL and Python/R. Deep experience with big data environments (eg. Hive, Hadoop, Spark) and automated workflow tools.
- Risk Expertise: Proven experience developing automated rules or strategies for fraud detection, trust & safety, or platform security.
- Global Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships across different time zones and cultural contexts.
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a quantitative field (e.g., Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, or Mathematics).
Preferred Qualifications
- AI/ML Integration: Experience leveraging AI/ML tools to automate traditional data science tasks or improve detection accuracy.
- E-commerce Background: Prior experience in a marketplace or e-commerce environment.
- Familiarity with privacy and data security: Knowledge of U.S. privacy and data security requirements and the unique challenges of managing data within a highly regulated environment.
- Communication: A "storyteller" mindset—the ability to turn complex data points into a clear strategic narrative for executive leadership.
About USDS
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is dedicated to the safety and security of millions of Americans who create, discover, and connect with what they love on the apps we operate. The Joint Venture has been established in compliance with the Executive Order signed by President Trump on September 25, 2025. Our foundation is a comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity program we operate under defined safeguards to protect national security and secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm. We safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem, holding decision-making authority for trust and safety policies and moderation. USDS Joint Venture helps ensure Americans can continue to express their creativity, discover new hobbies and interests, and build thriving communities and businesses on a global scale.
On-site presence across teams allows the company to operate with greater speed, alignment, and agility — especially in areas like real-time decision-making, team development, and integrated execution. As such, the company is shifting from a hybrid work model to a fully in-person schedule up to 5 days a week.
Why Join Us
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy – a mission we work towards every day.
We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
Diversity & Inclusion
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
USDS Reasonable Accommodation
USDS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at https://tinyurl.com/USDS-RA
Job Information
【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually) The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $190950 - $375516 annually. Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.
Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).
The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates:
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:
1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Technology & Software
- Distribution & Wholesale
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Retail
Mid Level Data Science Lead Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mid level data science lead job?
Position your experience around ownership, not just contribution. Highlight projects where you defined the approach, delivered results, and influenced business decisions, not just tasks you completed. Emphasize any mentoring, cross-functional collaboration, or model deployment work. Tailor your resume to show measurable impact, and apply to roles where the job description asks for independent problem-solving rather than supervised execution.
Which companies hire mid level data science leads?
Companies hiring mid level data science leads right now include Capital One, Biogen, and Amazon Web Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level covers both large enterprises with dedicated data teams and fast-growing mid-size companies building out analytical infrastructure for the first time.
Are there remote mid level data science lead jobs?
Yes, remote and hybrid options are common at this level. About 39% of mid level data science lead openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how broadly employers have accepted distributed data teams. Filtering for remote roles on Migrate Mate lets you see current openings without restricting yourself to a single metro area.
How do I move up to a mid level data science lead role?
Growing into a mid level data science lead role means deepening technical skills in modeling, experimentation, or data engineering while taking on progressively larger ownership. Volunteering to lead a project, mentor a peer, or present findings to stakeholders builds the track of independent impact that hiring managers look for. Consistent delivery on owned workstreams, not just task completion, is what signals readiness for this level.
Which industries hire the most mid level data science leads?
Mid Level data science lead roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services, Technology & Software, and Distribution & Wholesale, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they generate large volumes of proprietary data and need professionals who can move from raw analysis to actionable insight with limited supervision.