Scribd, Inc.

Lead Data Scientist

Scribd, Inc.

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: California • 🇺🇸 United States

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Salary

💰 $133,000 - $239,500 per year

Job Level

Senior

Tech Stack

PythonSparkSQL

About the role

  • Opportunity mapping. Size and prioritize new recs surfaces, intents, and cohorts; trace the funnel and analyze by slice (cold items, long-tail users, platform) to steer the roadmap.
  • Own the evaluation framework. Define north star & guardrails (e.g. diversity, novelty, duplication, safety); set threshold and tradeoffs, and publish the Objective & Eval Contract per surface.
  • Offline/Online alignment. Quantify correlation between offline IR metrics (e.g., NDCG@K, MAP, MRR, coverage, calibration) and online KPIs by surface/cohort; publish error bounds and monitor metric drift.
  • Create leading indicators. Create short-horizon metrics that predict long-term outcomes (e.g., trial to bill-through); backtest and run post-hoc causal checks, reporting uncertainty.
  • Build the measurement architecture. Set identity & attribution standards (user_id vs. device_id, qualifying events, windows) so downstream metrics (bill-through, churn) are trustworthy.
  • Design and run advanced experiments such as interleaving tests, pre-register stop/go criteria, and deliver crisp readouts that drive decisions.
  • Codify schemas, freshness, leakage, and drift checks with Analytics and Data Engineers, establish high quality datasets for Recs algo.
  • Evaluate when LLMs/embeddings (topics, summaries, semantic similarity) measurably improve offline/online metrics; prototype and hand off clear build specs to ML Eng.
  • Storytelling and influence. Write decision memos, align cross-functional teams, and drive clear decisions with trade-offs and risks called out.

Requirements

  • 8+ years experience in Data Science, preferably on recs/search/ranking with shipped impact.
  • Strong Python and SQL; comfort with Spark.
  • Fluency in ranking evaluation (NDCG@K, MAP, MRR, calibration, coverage/diversity) and awareness of exposure/selection bias.
  • Fluency in experiment design and connecting offline metrics to online outcomes.
  • Ability to translate product goals into loss functions, features, and specs engineers can build.
Benefits
  • Healthcare Insurance Coverage (Medical/Dental/Vision): 100% paid for employees
  • 12 weeks paid parental leave
  • Short-term/long-term disability plans
  • 401k/RSP matching
  • Onboarding stipend for home office peripherals + accessories
  • Learning & Development allowance
  • Learning & Development programs
  • Quarterly stipend for Wellness, WiFi, etc.
  • Mental Health support & resources
  • Free subscription to the Scribd Inc. suite of products
  • Referral Bonuses
  • Book Benefit
  • Sabbaticals
  • Company-wide events
  • Team engagement budgets
  • Vacation & Personal Days
  • Paid Holidays (+ winter break)
  • Flexible Sick Time
  • Volunteer Day
  • Company-wide Employee Resource Groups and programs that foster an inclusive and diverse workplace.
  • Access to AI Tools: We provide free access to best-in-class AI tools, empowering you to boost productivity, streamline workflows, and accelerate bold innovation.

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard skills
PythonSQLSparkNDCG@KMAPMRRcalibrationcoverageexperiment designloss functions
Soft skills
storytellinginfluencecross-functional alignmentdecision making