Chief Data Scientist

Why Join UKG:

At UKG, your contributions truly matter. The code you write, the decisions you make, and the care you show our customers all create a significant impact. Every day, millions of workers rely on our workforce operating platform to help them get paid, advance their careers, and influence their industry’s future. That’s our mission.

We are committed to continuous learning and challenging the status quo. We strive for improvement and celebrate our successes together. Here, you can expect genuine flexibility, reliable benefits, and a collaborative team environment. At UKG, your work is valued, and so are you.

About the Role:

As a Chief Data Scientist, you will spearhead the design, development, and deployment of advanced AI, machine learning, and Generative AI solutions that address complex business challenges and deliver measurable results. This role is perfect for a highly skilled data scientist with a solid background in Computer Science or Software Engineering, coupled with deep knowledge in machine learning, statistics, and experimental methods.

You will collaborate closely with Data Engineers, ML Engineers, Software Engineers, Product Managers, and business stakeholders to create scalable, production-ready solutions. The ideal candidate is an accomplished scientist and a disciplined builder, capable of intelligent prototyping, rigorous evaluation, and crafting high-quality, maintainable code following sound software engineering principles.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced data science, machine learning, and Generative AI solutions for impactful business use cases.
• Manage the complete lifecycle of data science solutions, from problem identification and experimentation through to production, monitoring, and refinement.
• Translate complex business problems into straightforward technical solutions and scalable implementations.
• Provide technical leadership for projects involving predictive modeling, NLP, LLMs, GenAI, and decision intelligence systems.
• Write clean, modular, maintainable, and well-tested production-quality code in Python.
• Champion strong engineering practices across the team including peer reviews, collaborative coding, version control with Git/GitHub, and rigorous testing protocols.
• Design, train, and optimize machine learning models using classical techniques and deep learning.
• Implement Generative AI solutions including LLMs, prompt engineering, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG).
• Utilize Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services to design and develop AI/ML solutions, ensuring scalability, cost-effectiveness, and security.
• Mentor junior data scientists and foster a strong culture of scientific excellence within the team.
• Collaborate with various stakeholders to uncover opportunities for AI and ML to drive significant impact.

Qualifications:

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or a closely related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of professional experience in Data Science, Applied Machine Learning, or Machine Learning Engineering with a successful track record of deploying solutions in production.
• Expertise in Python, data structures, algorithms, and software engineering best practices.
• Hands-on experience with machine learning frameworks like PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Scikit-learn.
• Strong experience with LLMs, NLP, and cloud-based AI/ML workflows, particularly within GCP, especially Vertex AI.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.

Company Overview:

UKG is the Workforce Operating Platform that challenges the norms and enhances workplace dynamics. Through our extensive workforce insights and people-focused AI, we empower our clients to tackle any industry challenges. Explore the possibility of shaping and advancing your career with us!

UKG is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, disability, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

The pay range for this position is $129,500.00 to $186,100.00. Actual base pay offered may vary based on skills, experience, job-related knowledge, and work location. Additionally, employees may be eligible for a performance-based bonus plan and restricted stock unit awards as part of their compensation package.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is firm, as is our adherence to all state and federal employment laws. For individuals with disabilities requiring assistance during the application or interview process, please reach out to our support email.