Senior Data Scientist

Sift is the leader in Digital Trust & Safety, helping businesses protect themselves and their customers from fraud and abuse. We combine machine learning, user behavior analytics, and cutting-edge AI technologies to power trust and reduce friction across the internet’s most valuable platforms.

We’re looking for a Senior Data Scientist to join our Core Data Science team and help shape the future of Trust & Safety using both machine learning and generative AI. You’ll prototype intelligent systems, surface insights from behavioral data, and partner closely with product and engineering to ship impactful solutions.

As a senior member of the team, you’ll play a key role in shaping model architecture, solving adversarial problems, and mentoring other scientists.

What you’ll do:

• Design and run hypothesis-driven experiments and offline simulations to evaluate product changes and quantify business impact.

• Evaluate and prototype cutting-edge machine learning and generative AI technologies to detect fraud and malicious behavior.

• Investigate adversarial behaviors and develop robust detection strategies for emerging threats.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, product, design, and customer teams to build scalable, low-latency, high-impact solutions.

• Mentor junior team members and contribute to best practices in experimentation, modeling, and research-to-production workflows.

What would make you a strong fit:

• 5+ years of experience working as a data scientist or in a similar role in technology-focused teams.

• Experience developing models and insights from structured or sequential data, preferably in user activity log contexts.

• Strong proficiency in Python and SQL, familiarity with big data tools (Spark, Snowflake, etc.)

• Deep knowledge of machine learning techniques and data science best practices.

• Experience with Data Science analysis end-to-end, working closely with Engineering to productionize pipelines, and surface insights in a scalable way.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey technical ideas to non-technical stakeholders.

• A self-starter mindset with the ability to navigate ambiguity and prioritize effectively.

Bonus points:

• Experience contributing to AI/ML research or innovation initiatives (publications, patents, open-source, or internal R&D).

• Trust & Safety domain experience.

• Hands-on experience with deep learning models, including LLMs, GenAI tools, prompt engineering, and fine-tuning.

• Experience working with scalable, real-time prediction systems in production.

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Statistics, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, or a related field.

Benefits and perks:

• Competitive Compensation: Includes financial rewards, an annual 5% bonus, and stock options.

• Health Insurance Stipend: Support for your medical and health-related needs.

• Sports and Wellness Stipend: Encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle.

• Work From Home Stipend: Support in creating a productive home office setup.

• Education Reimbursement: books, education courses, and conferences to support your professional growth.

• Mental Health Days: Additional paid day-offs to prioritize your well-being.

• Language and Public Speaking Development: English courses and social activities within the company to enhance your communication skills.

Our interview process:

• Introduction interview: a 30-minute session with a recruiter to discuss your background and the role.

• Technical screening interview: a 60-minute interview with the hiring manager to explore your fit for the position.

• Virtual onsite loop with the team: a comprehensive session comprising four interviews lasting approximately 4 hours, covering data science and ML background, coding abilities, cross-team collaboration & industry knowledge, and values-based conversations. 

A little about us:

Sift is the AI-powered fraud platform securing digital trust for leading global businesses. Our deep investments in machine learning and user identity, a data network scoring 1 trillion events per year, and a commitment to long-term customer success empower more than 700 customers to grow fearlessly. Brands including DoorDash, Yelp, and Poshmark rely on Sift to unlock growth and deliver seamless consumer experiences. Visit us at sift.com and follow us on LinkedIn.