Senior Staff Data Scientist Jobs in California
Senior Staff Data Scientist jobs in California represent one of the most active markets for the role in the country, with demand concentrated in technology, biotech, financial services, and enterprise software across seniority levels from mid-level data scientist through distinguished scientist. The largest hiring hubs are San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles, where employers such as Google, Meta, and Kaiser Permanente maintain deep data science organizations. The most sought-after specialties in California include machine learning engineering, causal inference, and large language model development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 70+ Senior Staff Data Scientist jobs
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Engineering, Physics, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
- 10 years of experience using analytics to solve product or business problems, performing statistical analysis, and coding (e.g., Python, R, SQL) or 8 years of experience with a Master's degree.
- Experience with commercial metrics or business models (e.g., e-commerce, retail, subscriptions, promotions, or pricing).
Preferred qualifications:
- Master's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Engineering, Physics, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
- 12 years of experience using analytics to solve product or business problems, performing statistical analysis, and coding (e.g., Python, R, SQL).
- Experience building predictive models for customer lifetime value (LTV), pricing, or user churn.
- Experience with driving app growth through traffic redirects, engagement, conversion funnel optimizations, and notifications.
About the job
Google Store is the first-party e-commerce site for Google's expanding portfolio of hardware products and associated services. As the authoritative place to learn about and purchase Google's hardware, our product range includes Pixel phones, Pixel Watch, Fitbit, Google Home and Health products, and accessories. The data science team drives business and product decisions through measurement, experimentation, modeling, causal inference, and optimization. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.US: $192000 - $278000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google.
Responsibilities
- Perform analysis utilizing relevant tools (e.g., SQL, R, Python) and provide investigative thought leadership through proactive and strategic contributions.
- Develop the data science roadmap that delivers against the broader strategy. Establish project goals, coordinate resources, and provide technical leadership.
- Synthesize insights from cross-channel experimentation, calculating price elasticity curves and establishing performance baselines for user interventions.
- Define and report Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) during business reviews. Translate analysis results into business insights or product improvement opportunities.
- Build predictive models integrating complex datasets and serve as the subject matter expert driving metrics development, modeling, and presenting to stakeholders.
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Engineering, Physics, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
- 10 years of experience using analytics to solve product or business problems, performing statistical analysis, and coding (e.g., Python, R, SQL) or 8 years of experience with a Master's degree.
- Experience with commercial metrics or business models (e.g., e-commerce, retail, subscriptions, promotions, or pricing).
Preferred qualifications:
- Master's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Engineering, Physics, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
- 12 years of experience using analytics to solve product or business problems, performing statistical analysis, and coding (e.g., Python, R, SQL).
- Experience building predictive models for customer lifetime value (LTV), pricing, or user churn.
- Experience with driving app growth through traffic redirects, engagement, conversion funnel optimizations, and notifications.
About the job
Google Store is the first-party e-commerce site for Google's expanding portfolio of hardware products and associated services. As the authoritative place to learn about and purchase Google's hardware, our product range includes Pixel phones, Pixel Watch, Fitbit, Google Home and Health products, and accessories. The data science team drives business and product decisions through measurement, experimentation, modeling, causal inference, and optimization. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.US: $192000 - $278000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google.
Responsibilities
- Perform analysis utilizing relevant tools (e.g., SQL, R, Python) and provide investigative thought leadership through proactive and strategic contributions.
- Develop the data science roadmap that delivers against the broader strategy. Establish project goals, coordinate resources, and provide technical leadership.
- Synthesize insights from cross-channel experimentation, calculating price elasticity curves and establishing performance baselines for user interventions.
- Define and report Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) during business reviews. Translate analysis results into business insights or product improvement opportunities.
- Build predictive models integrating complex datasets and serve as the subject matter expert driving metrics development, modeling, and presenting to stakeholders.
See All 70 Senior Staff Data Scientist Jobs in California
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Find JobsSenior Staff Data Scientist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Staff Data Scientist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Google12
- Intuit10
- Grindr5
- Walmart4
- Adobe3
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software18
- Retail2
- Banking & Financial Services2
- Automotive1
- Science & Research1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior staff data scientist jobs across California.
- PhD or Master's degree in statistics, computer science, or a related quantitative field
- Eight or more years of applied data science experience including staff-level technical leadership
- Deep proficiency in Python, SQL, and distributed computing frameworks such as Spark
- Demonstrated experience designing and shipping machine learning models at production scale
- Strong cross-functional collaboration with product, engineering, and executive stakeholders
- Experience mentoring junior scientists and driving team-wide modeling standards and best practices
Senior Staff Data Scientist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior staff data scientist in California?
Reaching a senior staff data scientist level in California typically requires an advanced degree in statistics, computer science, or a closely related field, followed by progressive industry experience in applied machine learning or analytics. California does not require a state-issued license for this role. Most candidates move up through staff scientist positions at California technology or biotech companies, building a portfolio of shipped models, publications, or patents that demonstrate technical depth and organizational impact.
How much do senior staff data scientists make in California?
Senior staff data scientists 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 senior staff data scientists in California?
Employers hiring senior staff data scientists in California right now include Google, Intuit, and Grindr, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, major health systems, and fintech firms makes it one of the deepest markets for senior data science roles in the country.
Which California cities have the most senior staff data scientist jobs?
San Francisco, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale have the most senior staff data scientist openings in California. The San Francisco Bay Area dominates because it is home to the headquarters of major technology platforms and enterprise software companies that run large central data science organizations, while Los Angeles draws demand from entertainment technology, health systems, and a growing fintech sector.
Are there remote senior staff data scientist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields, because senior staff data science work is almost entirely analytical and collaborative rather than physically hands-on. About 68% of senior staff data scientist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how broadly distributed these teams have become. Model development, experimentation, and cross-functional reviews are the parts of the role most commonly performed remotely.
How can I get hired as a senior staff data scientist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an adjacent analytical or engineering role, such as data analyst, machine learning engineer, or quantitative researcher, at a California technology or healthcare company. Large California employers including those in the Bay Area and Los Angeles frequently hire new graduates into rotational data science programs or associate scientist roles that develop the modeling and leadership skills required at the senior staff level. A strong portfolio of end-to-end projects, open-source contributions, or graduate research publications gives candidates a meaningful edge when experience is limited.
Where can I find and apply to senior staff data scientist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to senior staff data scientist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find the roles that fit your experience and apply directly.
See All 70 Senior Staff Data Scientist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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