The Role
The Staff Data Scientist will lead data science projects, develop machine learning models, and align solutions with business goals while mentoring team members.
Summary Generated by Built In
At Index Exchange, we’re reinventing how digital advertising works—at scale. We are a globally trusted independent supply-side platform, powering intelligent decisioning to maximize value for media owners and deliver stronger outcomes for buyers.
We’re a proud industry pioneer with over 20 years of experience accelerating the ad technology evolution. Our proprietary tech is trusted by some of the world’s largest brands and media owners and plays a crucial role in keeping the internet open, accessible, and largely free.
We process more than 550 billion real-time auctions every day (in comparison, Google processes about 14 billion searches per day) with ultra-low latency. Our platform is vertically integrated from servers to networks and runs on our own metal and cloud infrastructure. This end-to-end infrastructure is designed to provide both stability and agility, enabling us to adapt quickly as the market evolves.
At the core of it all is our engineering-first culture. Our engineers tackle internet-scale problems across tight-knit, global teams. From moving petabytes of data and optimizing with AI to making real-time infrastructure decisions, Indexers have the agency and influence to shape the future of advertising. We move fast, build thoughtfully, and stay grounded in our core values.
About the role:
We’re looking for a Staff Data Scientist who can bring their depth and breadth of experience in applied data science and optimization at industry scale to help guide our Index-wide technology strategy for machine learning and optimization, and to drive pragmatic execution and iterative improvement of the same.
In this role, you will lead high-impact data science initiatives that drive innovation and measurable value. You will design and implement advanced machine learning models, lead large-scale projects, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to align solutions with business goals. As a senior technical expert, you will mentor team members, contribute to scaling data science capabilities, and influence the organization’s data strategy. This position combines technical excellence with strategic vision, empowering you to shape impactful, data-driven solutions.
What we’re looking for:
A pragmatic data science technologist:
- Learn and understand the business vision and market opportunity for the company
- Work backwards from business problems to generate scientific hypotheses to guide development focus and pragmatism
- Use analytical, statistical and database skills to understand large, complex datasets with the aim to increase the programmatic efficiency
- Design, develop, and drive implementation of complex data-centric solutions, including large data set segmentation, transformation, and feature generation
- Clearly articulate research and development hypothesis, decisions and results
- Take part in the process of designing, developing & improving algorithms for automated decision making around programmatic exchange optimization
- Take active part in designing, and driving implementation production performance monitoring frameworks and KPIs
- Work together with ML engineers and architects to develop production grade data centric solutions
- An entrepreneurial spirit with room and expectations to bring innovative ideas to address the problems at hand
Here's what you need:
- 7+ years of experience in data science or machine learning environments that requires the combined application of statistical & technical skills
- Experience in data science practices in operational environments and internet scale, i.e - this is an applied position, rather than a solely research focused one
- Strong statistical and research skills with a track record of using a variety of statistical methods (especially classification/prediction and time series models)
- Proven ability to demonstrate and articulate complex results to wide technological audience
- Demonstrated history of enabling advanced data modeling-based guidance for technology development
- Experience in cross functional team cooperation to drive pragmatic technological solutions
- Expert in pragmatic application of data science and optimization best practices at large scale (industry scale platform experience preferred)
- Excellent development skills (Python required, specifically pandas, numpy, SciKit; Knowledge in Scala a plus)
- Familiarity with digital marketing, advertising or analytics is a plus
- Work experience in complex system engineering environments is a plus
- Bachelors or Master's in mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent
Why you’ll love working here:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans for you and your dependents
- Paid time off, health days, and personal obligation days plus flexible work schedules
- Competitive retirement matching plans
- Equity packages
- Generous parental leave available to birthing, non-birthing, and adoptive parents
- Annual well-being allowance plus fitness discounts and group wellness activities
- Employee assistance program
- Mental health first aid program that provides an in-the-moment point of contact and reassurance
- One day of volunteer time off per year and a donation-matching program
- Bi-weekly town halls and regular community-led team events
- Multiple resources and programming to support continuous learning
- A workplace that supports a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment – learn more here
Equal employment opportunity
At Index Exchange, we believe that successful products are built by teams just as diverse as the audience who uses them. As such, we are committed to equal employment opportunities. We celebrate diversity of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. Additionally, we realize that diversity is deeper than any status or classification—diversity is the human experience. For those who show grit, passion, and humility—Index will welcome you.
Accessibility for applicants with disabilities
Index Exchange welcomes and encourages individuals with disabilities to apply to work with us.
If you require an accommodation, please share the details of your request and any information how we can assist you with the hiring recruiter when they contact you. Index Exchange will make reasonable efforts to ensure accommodation requests are met throughout the recruitment process.
Index everywhere, Index anywhere
Our corporate headquarters are in Toronto, with major offices in New York, Montreal, Kitchener, London, San Francisco, and many other global cities. As a major global advertising exchange, we are committed to operating as a tightly knit global team and embracing and empowering talent wherever our colleagues may be.
AI Disclaimer: Automated tools including artificial intelligence may be used to assist in screening and assessing applicants for this role. All hiring decisions involve human review.
Vacancy Status: This posting is for an existing vacancy.
#LI-ONSITE
Skills Required
- 7+ years of experience in data science or machine learning environments
- Strong statistical and research skills
- Expert in Python, especially with libraries like pandas, numpy, SciKit
- Experience in operational data science practices at internet scale
- Bachelors or Master's in mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent
Index Exchange Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Index Exchange and has not been reviewed or approved by Index Exchange.
-
Affordable Benefits — Medical, dental, and vision coverage is described as fully paid for employees and often for dependents in the U.S., reducing out-of-pocket costs. While specifics vary by region, public materials consistently emphasize low-premium coverage.
-
Parental & Family Support — Parental leave is positioned as generous and inclusive, with birthing parents able to take extended fully paid leave and structured return‑to‑work support. Coverage also extends to non‑birthing and adoptive parents, with fertility benefits highlighted.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off combines substantial PTO with additional health days and personal obligation days, expanding rest and recovery options. Volunteer time off and the ability to work from another location for part of the year further broaden flexibility around time away.
Index Exchange Insights
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
Index Exchange is a global advertising supply-side platform enabling media owners to maximize the value of their content on any screen. As a trusted partner and ally, we connect leading experience makers with the world’s largest brands to ensure a quality experience for consumers. We’re a proud industry pioneer with over 20 years of experience accelerating the ad technology evolution. With our radically transparent business practices and dedication to total market efficiency, we’re committed to upholding the integrity of the programmatic ecosystem at large. Our global teams are dedicated to driving industry standards and building technology that delivers scale, efficiency, and long-term value for our customers and partners. In our workplace, we pride ourselves on fostering an environment of openness where everyone feels connected and supported - a place where you can be your best inside or outside of work.
Why Work With Us
When you join Index Exchange, you’ll be working at an engineering-first company. Our foundation is our technology platform and all of the Indexers who come together to improve, extend, and reinvent it. We invest heavily in building an organization that’s committed to DEI&B, our core values, and our vision of total market efficiency.
Gallery
