Freelance Data Scientist Machine Learning Jobs in Riverside, CA

DATA SCIENTIST

REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF DATA SCIENCE

STATUS: EXEMPT

Summary

Boot Barn is where community comes first. We thrive on togetherness, collaboration, and belonging. We build each other up, listen intently, and implement out-of-the-box ideas. We celebrate new innovations, congratulate one another's achievements, and most importantly support each other.

At Boot Barn, we work together to make a positive impact on the world around us, and by working collectively with encouragement, we consider ourselves "Partners." With the values of the West guiding us, Boot Barn celebrates heritage, welcomes all, and values each unique Partner within our Boot Barn community.

Our vision is to offer everyone a piece of the American spirit - one handshake at a time.

The Data Scientist will play a critical role in building the foundation of Data Science division, with a focus on developing advanced machine learning and assisting in generative AI solutions. This position will lead the design and deployment of models that power data driven solutions to support cross-departmental products, and intelligent agentic systems.

Working closely with AI/ML and Data Engineers, this individual will ensure models are robust, well-designed, and ready to scale, while contributing to the establishment of data science best practices across the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy predictive models to address high-impact applications such as personalization, forecasting, marketing automation, and conversational agents.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis, statistical modeling, causal inference, and A/B experimentation to uncover insights and validate model performance.
• Develop high-quality, modular Python code for model training and experimentation using libraries and frameworks such as pandas, numpy, scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow.
• Collaborate with AI/ML Engineers to productionize models through containerization, orchestration, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaborate with Data and AI/ML Engineers to establish RAG pipelines, vector databases, and agentic frameworks.
• Prototype and deploy generative AI applications such as content generation agents, knowledge assistants, and multimodal interfaces.
• Partner cross-functionally with Store Operations, Ecommerce, Marketing, Merchandise, Supply Chain and Real Estate to identify and prioritize high-impact opportunities.
• Contribute to data science best practices, model documentation, and the creation of reusable modeling frameworks.
• Translate complex model results into clear business insights for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrates high level of quality work, attendance and appearance.
• Demonstrates high degree of professionalism in communication, attitude and teamwork with customers, peers and management.
• Adhere to all local, federal and state laws in addition to Company policies, procedures, and practices.
• Performs any other duties that may be assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Engineering, Physics, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• 3+ years of hands-on data science experience; proven track record in developing and deploying ML models.
• Strong expertise in SQL, Python and core ML frameworks (scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow)
• Experience with LLMs, vector databases, and RAG pipelines
• Familiarity with MLOps workflows, containerization (Docker), and orchestration (Kubernetes) tools.
• Strong collaboration skills, with experience working closely with engineering and product teams.
• Retail and/or e-commerce experience preferred.

Competencies

• Ensure Effective Communication - Listens carefully and attentively to others' opinions and ideas. Communicates information clearly, concisely, and professionally.
• Establish Trust - Follows through on commitments. Is honest and direct with others. Promotes a culture of respect for, commitment to, and compliance with Company values, beliefs, and standards. Ensures the protection of confidential information.

Boot Barn Benefits & Additional Compensation Opportunities

• Competitive salary.
• Merchandise discount: 50% off of Exclusive Brands and 40% off of third-party brands.
• Paid Time Off plan for year-round Boot Barn Partners.**
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.**
• 401(k) plan with generous company matching.
• Flexible schedules and work/life balance.
• Opportunities for growth at every level - we are opening 50+ new stores each year.

**For eligible Boot Barn Partners

PAY RANGE: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00/yr*

*compensation varies based on geography, skills, experience, and tenure

Physical Demands

In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by a Partner to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Standing, walking and squatting less than fifty percent of the work shift.
• Required to lift, move and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to read, count and write to accurately complete all documentation and reports.
• Must be able to see, hear and speak in order to communicate with partners and customers.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Manual dexterity required using hands to finger; handle, feel and type; reach with hands and arms.

[ ] Sedentary: Limited activity, no lifting, limited walking

[ X ] Light: Office work, some lifting, bending, stooping or kneeling, walking

[ ] Moderate: Mostly standing, walking, bending, frequent lifting

[ ] Arduous: Heavy lifting, bending, crawling, climbing

Work Environment

In general, the following conditions of the work environment are representative of those that a Partner encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job within the environment.

• The workspace is clean, orderly, properly lighted and ventilated with the proper safety compliance.
• Noise levels are considered moderate.

Boot Barn, Inc. reserves the right to make exceptions to modify or eliminate this document or its content. This document supersedes all previous policies, procedures or guidelines pertaining to this subject.

Our core value of community bands us together in supportive and inclusive ways to drive our collective success. Boot Barn provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national or ethnic origin, veteran or military status, disability, as well as any other protected status under the law.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Boot Barn will provide reasonable accommodations (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with the application process upon your request as required by applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please visit your nearest Boot Barn Store or Distribution Center or reach out to Human Resources at 1-949-453-4400, Option 4.

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