Sr Data Scientist

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s human and AI-powered work marketplace that connects businesses with highly skilled, AI-enabled independent talent from across the globe. From entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 enterprises, companies rely on Upwork’s trusted platform and its mindful AI companion, Uma, to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With on-demand access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, Upwork enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and build agile teams for the age of AI and beyond.

Upwork’s platform has facilitated more than $25 billion in economic opportunity for talent around the world. Learn more at Upwork.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X

At Upwork, Data Science sits within our centralized Finance organization and plays a critical role in driving profitable growth and optimizing marketplace outcomes. As a Senior Data Scientist, you will design models that measure and predict customer behavior, lifetime value, and marketplace health. Your work will power decision-making across multiple business verticals and help us build systems that deliver better product experiences and business outcomes.

• Tackle complex problems inherent to a global double-sided marketplace. Deliver insights that drive changes in product strategy.

• Partner closely with Product, Marketing, and Trust & Safety to surface actionable insights and shape high-impact initiatives.

• Own data workflows end-to-end by cleaning, transforming, engineering features, and designing schemas using Python, SQL, pandas, and Snowflake.

• Build and scale models and analyses using platforms such as AWS SageMaker, Hex, or Snowflake, ensuring repeatable and reliable workflows.

• Communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, influencing strategic decision-making across the company.

• Strong background in statistical inference, observational causal inference  and applied machine learning modeling, with demonstrated success applying them in real-world settings.

• Experience with data wrangling and modeling in Python or R (e.g., Pandas, Polars, Tidyverse).

• Proficiency in working with large-scale data on cloud platforms such as SageMaker, Kubeflow, Snowflake, or Databricks.

• Ability to translate data insights into compelling narratives and visualizations that influence decision-making.

• 4+ years of experience in data science or a related role.

• Degree in a quantitative field such as Math, Statistics, Economics, or Computer Science; Master’s or PhD preferred.

• Knowledge of randomized experiment design and analysis.

• Experience with time series analysis techniques (e.g., ARIMA, Prophet, and related methods).

• Understanding of MLOps workflows and code production practices.

• Experience working with CI/CD pipelines and monitoring in production environments.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 34 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page to learn more about opportunities at Upwork.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer is made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances.