Principal Data Scientist

About Blue Cross

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is one of the most recognized and trusted health care brands in the world with 2.5 million members. We’re committed to reinventing health care to improve health for our members and the community. We hope you'll join us.

How is this Role Important to Our Work? 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Minnesota is hiring a Principal Data Scientist in Eagan, MN. The Principal Data Scientist position will directly support quality measures (Stars, HEDIS (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set) and similar quality metrics). In this role, you will work across the Enterprise to identify areas of opportunity to create process efficiencies, innovate, and provide value using advanced analytics and data science specifically within quality measures. Additionally, you will manage complex data and information to provide meaningful results, which influence strategic decision-making at Blue Cross. Responsibilities include understanding complex business requirements, data management and stewardship for a variety of complex data sources, data analysis and the application of advanced analytical techniques, and building predictive models to create value for the organization.

You will bring over 7 years of experience as a data scientist, showcasing your expertise in data modeling, machine learning and working closely with stakeholders. You will possess a high level of proficiency in Python and SQL. A background in healthcare, particularly in working with quality measures and HEDIS (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set), is highly preferred.

Ideally, this role is hybrid, 2 days a week in office, out of Eagan, MN.

A Day in the Life: 

• Lead data science projects to design and implement models and experiments from end to end, including data ingestion and preparation, feature engineering, analysis and modeling, model deployment, performance tracking and documentation.
• Act as a mentor to junior data scientists around mature data science practices e.g., readable code, thorough documentation, comprehensive experimentation.
• Work with autonomy with business partners to convert ambiguous business problems in clear data science/ML specifications - Use contextual business acumen to convert model predictions/results into impactful insights and provide actionable guidance on risks and limitations.
• Work hand-in-hand with product managers, data engineers, and subject matter experts to ship new models, algorithms and improvements continuously and collaboratively into production.
• Use combination of machine learning knowledge and contextual business acumen to convert results into impactful insights and provide actionable guidance on risks and limitations of model.
• Write narrative documents for model specification and performance analysis to communicate findings and recommendations to teammates, stakeholders and executive leadership.

Nice to Have: 

• Master's or Ph.D. degree.
• Experience with healthcare quality data, specifically HEDIS (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set) and Stars.
• Experience with AWS tools.
• Experience with SAS.
• Experience with version control (for example Git Version Control system).

Required Skills & Experience: 

• 7+ years of related professional experience. All relevant experience including work, education, transferable skills, and military experience will be considered.
• Hands-on experience in analytics and data science (specific areas of interest include classification/regression, unsupervised learning, time-series/sequence models, NLP, explainability methods, deep learning).
• Advanced proficiency in data science tools such as Python, R, Spark, SQL.
• Experience implementing predictive algorithms and associated statistical analysis/inference in a data science/ML workflow manipulating both structured and unstructured data.
• Strong communication skills and ability to deliver highly technical results to a diverse audience.
• Ability to mentor junior data scientists and lead projects from end-to-end.

Role DesignationHybrid

Role designation definition: Teleworking is working full time remote. Hybrid is a combination of working onsite and remotely.  Onsite is full-time onsite.

Compensation and Benefits

$100,000.00 - $135,000.00 - $170,000.00 Annual

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position, including skills, ability, and knowledge the selected individual is bringing to the specific job.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package which may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Life insurance

• 401k

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)

• And more

To discover more about what we have to offer, please review our benefits page.

Make a Difference

Blue Cross is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer that values diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Reasonable Accommodation for Job Seekers with a Disability: If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [email protected].

All roles require a high school diploma (or equivalency) and legal authorization to work in the U.S.

Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota and Blue Plus® are nonprofit independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.