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Data Scientist Startup Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Data Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$160K - $200K/yr

Company Description Federato Technologies is a Series A startup based in San Fransisco, CA looking to hire a data scientist. Federato is a venture backed company funded by some of the most prominent ...

Data Scientist

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$160K - $200K/yr

Company Description Federato Technologies is a Series A startup based in San Fransisco, CA looking to hire a data scientist. Federato is a venture backed company funded by some of the most prominent ...

Data Scientist

Palo Alto, CA · On-site +1

$115K - $180K/yr

Our ideal Data Scientist is hands-on, collaborative, self-motivated, and innovative. She or he ... We are a startup, and we are founded, funded, and led by veterans of the industry. We think and ...

Data Scientist

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$115K - $180K/yr

Our ideal Data Scientist is hands-on, collaborative, self-motivated, and innovative. She or he ... We are a startup, and we are founded, funded, and led by veterans of the industry. We think and ...

Data Scientist About OpenArt OpenArt is an AI Storytelling and Visual Creation Platform used by ... Experience as the first or early DS hire at a startup * Experience working with consumer products ...

Data Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$300K - $400K/yr

Data Scientist About OpenArt OpenArt is an AI Storytelling and Visual Creation Platform used by ... Experience as the first or early DS hire at a startup * Experience working with consumer products ...

Must Have * 4+ years of experience in Data Science, Product Analytics, or another highly ... Prior experience in a fast-growing startup or other highly ambiguous environment. Why join us?

We're a fast growing startup backed by industry experts and top tier investors led by Crosspoint ... Role Overview As a Senior Data Scientist, you will be responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of ...

Company Description Brilent is a data science tech company developing a SaaS solution to help ... WHY US? Brilent is a well-funded, award winning startup located in the Silicon Valley. We are ...

Associate Data Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $156K/yr

Hayden AI seeks a Data Scientist to support a diverse set of stakeholders with Data and Analytics ... Prior experience in a startup environment and a desire to make a significant impact.

As a senior member of our growing data science team, you will lead the design, curation, and ... Prior work in a startup or high-growth environment. Salary Range Knit Health offers a competitive ...

NFL Data Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$140K/yr

Company Description Swish Analytics is a sports analytics, betting and fantasy startup building the ... Data Science is at the core of our business, so this team has true ownership and impact over ...

Company Description Swish Analytics is a sports analytics, betting and fantasy startup building the ... Data Science is at the core of our business, so this team has true ownership and impact over ...

Role Overview We're hiring a Data Scientist to help architect the intelligence layer of Arch . You ... YC startup experience. Previously built wildfire response systems that save lives. Obsessed with ...

Company Description Swish Analytics is a sports analytics, betting and fantasy startup building the ... Data Science is at the core of our business, so this team has true ownership and impact over ...

Company Description Swish Analytics is a sports analytics, betting and fantasy startup building the ... Data Science is at the core of our business, so this team has true ownership and impact over ...

They are seeking a Senior Data Scientist to design, build, and deploy machine learning models that ... stage startup environment. Company : TENEX.AI is a cybersecurity company that combines human ...

Company Description Swish Analytics is a sports analytics, betting and fantasy startup building the ... Data Science is at the core of our business, so this team has true ownership and impact over ...

Senior Data Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

As a senior member of our growing data science team, you will lead the design, curation, and ... Prior work in a startup or high-growth environment. Salary Range Knit Health offers a competitive ...

Company Description Brilent is a well-funded, award winning startup located in the Silicon Valley ... Our team consists of machine learning and data science experts and recruiting veterans from leading ...

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Showing results 1-20

Data Scientist Startup information

See California salary details

$37K

$121.1K

$193.9K

How much do data scientist startup jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for data scientist startup in California is $121,131.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,200.00 and $134,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a data scientist do at a startup?

A Data Scientist at a startup typically wears many hats, leveraging data to drive business decisions, build predictive models, and develop data-driven products. Unlike in larger companies, startup Data Scientists often work closely with other teams, handle end-to-end data pipelines, and may even take on responsibilities like data engineering or analytics. The fast-paced environment requires adaptability, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to quickly turn raw data into actionable insights that can have a direct impact on the company's growth.

What is the difference between Data Scientist Startup vs Data Analyst?

AspectData Scientist StartupData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, or related fields; programming skills in Python/RBachelor's in Statistics, Mathematics, or related fields; proficiency in Excel, SQL
Work EnvironmentFast-paced startup setting, cross-functional teams, innovative projectsCorporate or business environment, reporting and visualization tasks
Employer & Industry UsageTech startups, e-commerce, SaaS companiesFinancial firms, marketing agencies, retail companies

In summary, Data Scientist Startup roles focus on advanced analytics, machine learning, and building predictive models, requiring stronger technical skills and often a higher level of education. Data Analysts typically handle data reporting, visualization, and basic analysis, with a focus on interpreting existing data for business insights. Both roles are essential but differ in complexity and scope within startup environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a data scientist in a startup?

To thrive as a Data Scientist in a startup, you need a solid foundation in statistics, data analysis, and programming (often Python or R), usually backed by a relevant degree in computer science, mathematics, or a related field. Familiarity with machine learning libraries (like scikit-learn, TensorFlow), cloud platforms (such as AWS or GCP), and data visualization tools (such as Tableau or Power BI) is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and the ability to communicate complex findings to non-technical stakeholders are essential soft skills. These competencies are crucial in a startup environment, where rapid iteration, cross-functional collaboration, and translating data insights into actionable business strategies are key to driving growth and innovation.

What unique challenges might a data scientist face when working at a startup compared to a larger company?

At a startup, Data Scientists often work with limited resources, less historical data, and rapidly changing business priorities. This means you'll likely wear multiple hats—handling data collection, cleaning, modeling, and sometimes even deploying solutions on your own. The pace is fast, and you'll need to adapt quickly to shifting objectives while collaborating closely with engineers, product managers, and founders. However, this environment also offers significant opportunities to make a direct impact and gain broad experience across the data science pipeline.
What cities in California are hiring for Data Scientist Startup jobs? Cities in California with the most Data Scientist Startup job openings:
Infographic showing various Data Scientist Startup job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $121,131 per year, or $58.2 per hour.

Data Scientist

Federato Technologies

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$160K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Company Description
Federato Technologies is a Series A startup based in San Fransisco, CA looking to hire a data scientist. Federato is a venture backed company funded by some of the most prominent VC's in the Bay Area. We build software to help large insurance carriers improve their portfolio optimization. Our goal is to close down the $150B insurance gap by making insurance affordable again. The initial algorithms used in our product spun out off the founders published research in Reinforcement Learning, Statistics, and Optimization.
The role will report directly to the CTO. Next to the CTO, you will be first Data Scientist on the team building out models and algorithms pivotal to our value proposition.
This is a remote position, but we do have an office in San Fransisco.
Job Description
You will be the first data scientist on the team working through and building models from scratch that will be pivotal for our business. You will have a huge impact on our success and will be part of a fast growing team!
Qualifications
  • Demonstrated interest in engineering for impact
  • 2+ years of hands-on industry experience with machine learning and optimization models
  • 2+ years of experience with model deployment, monitoring and version control
  • Graduate work in an optimization related field (e.g RL, Convex Optimization, Bayesian Optimization), either PhD or Advanced MS degree.
  • Comfortable with Python, Flask/Django, Pandas and Numpy
  • Demonstrated ability to pick up new technologies quickly and learn on the spot

Additional Information
Pay Range: $160k - $200k