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Chief Data Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Databricks

Principal Data Scientist

Mountain View, CA · On-site

Databricks is looking for a Principal Data Scientist to serve as the statistical voice of the Data ... Serve as the company's chief statistical voice and the final quality backstop for analytical rigor ...

Cornerstone Defense

Chief Data Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$117K - $140K/yr

Job #3772 Position Chief Data Engineer Work Location McLean, VA Security Clearance TS/SCI with ... Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field. Advanced ...

Redolent, Inc

Data Scientist

San Bruno, CA

Data Scientist - Marketing/Advertising LOCATION: San Bruno, CA Duration: 6 to 12+ Months Client ... CMO Present media mix insights to different levels of senior clients Explain complex modeling ...

Leidos

Chief Data and Software Architect

Odenton, MD · On-site

Leidos is seeking a Chief Data and Software Architect to join the CTO team for a complex, large ... Proven expertise in mission data and software solutions related to data science, machine learning ...

Leidos

Chief Data and Software Architect

Odenton, MD

$154K - $278K/yr

Description Leidos is seeking a Chief Data and Software Architect to join the CTO team for a ... Proven expertise in mission data and software solutions related to data science, machine learning ...

University of Rochester

Data Scientist

Henrietta, NY · On-site

They are seeking a Data Scientist to design and implement advanced analytics projects, providing ... Completes periodic costing on a timely basis for incorporation into the global and chief reports.

Leidos

Chief Data and Software Architect

Odenton, MD · On-site

Leidos is seeking a Chief Data and Software Architect to join the CTO team for a complex, large ... Proven expertise in mission data and software solutions related to data science, machine learning ...

Delaware Electric Cooperative

Data Scientist

Greenwood, DE · On-site

$100K - $118K/yr

Strategize with Manager of Business Intelligence and/or COO on best use cases for artificial ... Experience & Skills * 5-7 years of relevant data science/analytics experience. * Experience in data ...

Arch

Data Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

You'll work directly with our CTO and founding team to model customer behavior, optimize campaign ... experience in data science, ML engineering, or analytics roles in fast-paced environments

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All JobsChief Data Scientist Jobs

Chief Data Scientist information

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$37.5K

$122.7K

$196.5K

How much do chief data scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief data scientist in the United States is $122,738.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,500.00 and $136,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Chief Data Scientist vs Data Scientist?

AspectChief Data ScientistData Scientist
CredentialsAdvanced degrees (Master's/PhD), extensive experience in data science and leadershipBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Computer Science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership, cross-department collaboration, executive-level decision makingData analysis, model development, data cleaning, and reporting
Industry UsageUsed in organizations with large data teams, strategic data initiativesCommon entry to mid-level data roles across industries

The Chief Data Scientist oversees data strategy and leads data science teams, focusing on high-level insights and organizational impact. Data Scientists perform hands-on data analysis and model building, supporting business decisions. While both roles require strong technical skills, the Chief Data Scientist has a broader strategic and leadership focus compared to the more technical, execution-oriented Data Scientist role.

What are the most common challenges faced by a Chief Data Scientist in aligning data science initiatives with business objectives?

A Chief Data Scientist often faces the challenge of translating complex data science insights into actionable strategies that directly support the organization's business goals. Balancing technical innovation with practical business impact requires close collaboration with stakeholders across departments, including IT, product, and executive leadership. Ensuring data quality, managing cross-functional teams, and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making are ongoing priorities. Successfully overcoming these challenges enhances both the credibility and impact of the data science function within the organization.

What are Chief Data Scientists?

Chief Data Scientists are senior-level professionals responsible for leading an organization's data science strategy and initiatives. They oversee data-driven projects, manage data science teams, and collaborate with other executives to leverage data for business growth and innovation. Their role includes developing advanced analytics models, ensuring data quality, and translating complex data insights into actionable business recommendations. Chief Data Scientists also help establish best practices for data management, ethics, and compliance within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chief Data Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Data Scientist, you need advanced expertise in data science, statistics, machine learning, and a strong background in computer science or a related field, often supported by a PhD or equivalent experience. Mastery of tools such as Python, R, SQL, big data platforms (like Hadoop or Spark), and experience with data visualization and cloud computing are typically required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills help set top professionals apart in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for driving data-driven decision-making and aligning analytics initiatives with organizational goals.
More about Chief Data Scientist jobs
What cities are hiring for Chief Data Scientist jobs? Cities with the most Chief Data Scientist job openings:
What states have the most Chief Data Scientist jobs? States with the most job openings for Chief Data Scientist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Chief Data Scientist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Chief Data Scientist jobs are:
Chief Data Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Data Scientist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 10% Full Time, 70% Part Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,738 per year, or $59 per hour.
Principal Data Scientist

Principal Data Scientist

Databricks

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

RDQ427R169
While candidates in the listed locations are encouraged for this role, we are open to remote candidates in other locations.
Databricks is looking for a Principal Data Scientist to serve as the statistical voice of the Data Science organization. This person will make Databricks smarter and more data-driven at the highest levels of leadership - translating the full power of data science into clear, actionable narratives for our CEO, C-suite, and Board of Directors.
Our vision is simple: data drives every Databricks decision and action. To get there, we need a world-class statistician and communicator - someone who can bridge the gap between deep analytical rigor and executive decision-making. This is a pure IC role with company-wide influence: no direct reports, maximum leverage.
Databricks was founded in 2013 by the original creators of Apache Spark, Delta Lake, and MLflow. We built the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform to help organizations unify their data, analytics, and AI workloads. With more than 10,000 organizations worldwide - including over half of the Fortune 500 - relying on Databricks, and a team of 7,000+ employees, we are at the forefront of the data and AI revolution. We have been recognized as a leader by Gartner, Forrester, and IDC, and have raised more than $4 billion in funding at a $62 billion valuation.
The Impact You Will Have
  • Executive translation. Translate complex data science findings into clear, actionable narratives for the CEO, C-suite, and Board of Directors - ensuring data science insights directly inform the company's most critical decisions.
  • Statistical authority. Serve as the company's chief statistical voice and the final quality backstop for analytical rigor in high-stakes executive decisions. Advance the state-of-the-art in how Databricks applies statistical methods to business problems.
  • Org-wide uplevel. Raise the communication bar across the entire Data Science organization by setting standards, coaching teams, and co-authoring key executive-facing deliverables. Make every DS team better at telling their story.
  • Strategic insights. Produce deep strategic analyses on revenue, platform health, operational efficiency, and competitive positioning - the kind of synthesized, judgment-rich insight that AI cannot autonomously create.
  • Cross-functional influence. Partner with engineering VPs, product leaders, and executive staff to embed a data-driven decision-making culture across the company. Be the trusted analytical advisor in rooms where critical decisions are made.
  • External thought leadership. Represent Databricks externally as a data science thought leader at industry conferences, in publications, and in the broader statistical community. Build an external identity that attracts world-class talent.
  • Methodology and standards. Define and evolve company-wide scientific methodologies - experimentation frameworks, forecasting systems, causal inference approaches - to match and push industry state-of-the-art.
What We Look For
Required
  • 15+ years of experience in data science, statistics, or quantitative research spanning industry and/or academia.
  • Proven track record of presenting statistical and data science concepts to C-suite and Board-level audiences, with measurable impact on executive decision-making.
  • Broad expertise across data science disciplines: experimentation, causal inference, forecasting, optimization, and machine learning.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication - the ability to make complex statistical concepts intuitive and compelling for non-technical executives.
  • Track record of upleveling teams: setting analytical standards, mentoring senior data scientists, and improving org-wide output quality.
  • Experience at the intersection of statistics and large-scale technology or data platforms.
  • Ph.D. in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
Preferred
  • Academic research or teaching background in statistics or a quantitative field.
  • Industry experience at multiple tier-1 technology companies.
  • Published research or recognized thought leadership in applied statistics.
  • Experience building or leading a "Chief Statistician" or equivalent function.
  • Experience in infrastructure, platform, or systems-oriented data science.

About Databricks
Databricks is the data and AI company. More than 10,000 organizations worldwide - including Comcast, Condé Nast, Grammarly, and over 50% of the Fortune 500 - rely on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform to unify and democratize data, analytics and AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe and was founded by the original creators of Lakehouse, Apache Spark™, Delta Lake and MLflow. To learn more, follow Databricks on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
BenefitsAt Databricks, we strive to provide comprehensive benefits and perks that meet the needs of all of our employees. For specific details on the benefits offered in your region click here.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At Databricks, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can excel. We take great care to ensure that our hiring practices are inclusive and meet equal employment opportunity standards. Individuals looking for employment at Databricks are considered without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.
Compliance
If access to export-controlled technology or source code is required for performance of job duties, it is within Employer's discretion whether to apply for a U.S. government license for such positions, and Employer may decline to proceed with an applicant on this basis alone.

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