Director of Data Science

We exist to wow our customers. We know we’re doing the right thing when we hear our customers say, “How did we ever live without Coupang?” Born out of an obsession to make shopping, eating, and living easier than ever, we’re collectively disrupting the multi-billion-dollar e-commerce industry from the ground up. We are one of the fastest-growing e-commerce companies that established an unparalleled reputation for being a dominant and reliable force in South Korean commerce.   

We are proud to have the best of both worlds — a startup culture with the resources of a large global public company. This fuels us to continue our growth and launch new services at the speed we have been since our inception. We are all entrepreneurs surrounded by opportunities to drive new initiatives and innovations. At our core, we are bold and ambitious people that like to get our hands dirty and make a hands-on impact. At Coupang, you will see yourself, your colleagues, your team, and the company grow every day.   

Our mission to build the future of commerce is real. We push the boundaries of what’s possible to solve problems and break traditional tradeoffs. Join Coupang now to create an epic experience in this always-on, high-tech, and hyper-connected world.  

Role Overview

Coupang is seeking a Director of Data Science to lead high-impact, data-driven initiatives across the business. This leader will be responsible for shaping and executing data science strategies that influence key product, operational, and business decisions. The role requires a blend of strong technical expertise, business acumen, and people leadership to drive measurable impact at scale.

This is a highly visible leadership role collaborating cross-functionally with engineering, product, analytics, and business leaders to unlock value from data and accelerate innovation.

What You Will Do

• Leadership & Strategy
  • Define and execute the vision and roadmap for data science initiatives aligned with business priorities
  • Build, mentor, and scale high-performing teams of data scientists and applied researchers
  • Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and rigorous scientific thinking
• Impact & Execution
  • Lead the development and deployment of advanced models (e.g., machine learning, statistical modeling, optimization) to drive business outcomes
  • Translate ambiguous business problems into structured data science solutions
  • Drive end-to-end ownership of projects from ideation through productionization and measurement
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner closely with product, engineering, and business stakeholders to influence strategy and decision-making
  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership by communicating insights and recommendations clearly and effectively
  • Ensure alignment between data science solutions and broader platform and infrastructure investments
• Technical Excellence
  • Set best practices for experimentation, model development, validation, and monitoring
  • Ensure scalability, reliability, and robustness of deployed solutions
  • Stay current with emerging trends and technologies in data science and AI

Basic Qualifications 

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, or related discipline
• 8 years of experience in data science, machine learning, or advanced analytics
• 5 years of experience leading and managing high-performing teams
• Proven track record of delivering measurable business impact through data-driven solutions
• Strong foundation in statistical modeling, machine learning, and experimentation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in large-scale, fast-paced technology or e-commerce environments
• Demonstrated success operating in ambiguous, high-growth settings
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence both technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience partnering with executive stakeholders and driving strategic initiatives

Pay & Benefits 

Our compensation reflects the cost of living across several US geographic markets. At Coupang, your base pay is one part of your total compensation. 

The base pay for this position ranges from $174,000/year to $299,000/year. Pay is based on several factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills and experience. 

General Description of All Benefits 

• Annual bonus is 0-20% of the base salary
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life, AD&D insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) & Health Savings Account (HAS)
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) program
• 401K Plan with Company Match
• 18-21 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) a year based on the tenure
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental leave
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• MTV- [Free] Electric Car Charging Station 

General Description of Other Compensation 

“Other Compensation” includes, but is not limited to, bonuses, equity, or other forms of compensation that would be offered to the hired applicant in addition to their established salary or wage scale. 

Recruitment Process and Others  

Recruitment Process   

• Application Review - Phone Interview - Onsite (or Virtual Onsite) Interview – Offer 

• The exact nature of the recruitment process may vary according to the specific job and may be changed due to scheduling or other circumstances. 

• Interview schedules and the results will be informed to the applicant via the e-mail address submitted at the application stage. 

Details to Consider  

• This job posting may be closed prior to the stated end date for application if all openings are filled. 

• Coupang has the right to rescind an offer of employment if a candidate is found to have submitted false information as part of the application process. 

• Coupang does not discriminate against disabled applicants or those with veteran status. We are proud to offer equal opportunities for all applicants. 

 Privacy Notice   

• Your personal information will be collected and managed by Coupang as stated in the Application Privacy Notice located below: https://www.coupang.jobs/privacy-policy/  

Coupang is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or gender (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, transgender status), national origin, age, disability, medical condition, HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C status, marital status, military or veteran status, use of a trained dog guide or service animal, political activities, or affiliations, citizenship, or any other characteristic or class protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation in the recruiting process due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected].    

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