Data Scientist - (Remote in US only)

# Principal Data Scientist – Rentals Shopping ## About the Role Zillow Group is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to serve as the data science lead for the Rentals Shopping pillar. This team focuses on improving how millions of renters discover and secure their next home through Zillow’s marketplace, using rigorous analysis, experimentation, and proactive discovery of opportunities across the rental shopping funnel from search through contact and conversion. As the primary data science partner to product leadership, you will help shape the long-term data strategy and product roadmap for Rentals Shopping. You will lead large-scale analytical and modeling initiatives, influence product and business decisions, advance experimentation practices, and provide technical leadership to other data scientists. ## Key Responsibilities * Drive the long-term data strategy for the Rentals Shopping pillar.* Analyze consumer behavior and market dynamics to identify high-impact growth opportunities.* Inform and influence the Rentals Shopping product roadmap through data science.* Elevate statistical rigor, modeling, and experimentation practices across Rentals.* Partner with product, engineering, and design leaders to translate complex analysis into actionable product and business strategies.* Lead analytical and modeling initiatives across areas such as rental search relevance, ranking, personalization, and marketplace efficiency.* Design and guide robust A/B tests and other experimentation frameworks.* Measure the impact of new features and optimizations across the rental shopping experience.* Apply modern AI, including LLMs and agentic workflows, to increase data science velocity and improve model quality.* Apply AI approaches to scale intelligent user-facing solutions across the Rentals marketplace.* Coach and mentor data scientists.* Provide technical leadership and help resolve complex analytical and modeling challenges.* Influence senior cross-functional leaders through clear, actionable insights and recommendations. ## Required Qualifications * Ph.D. or Master’s degree in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Economics, or Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.* Substantial experience, typically 8+ years, in quantitative analysis, advanced modeling, and experimentation at scale in consumer-facing technology environments.* Expert-level SQL skills.* Expert-level Python skills.* Experience applying statistical modeling, including areas such as causal inference and time series.* Experience working with big data environments such as Databricks or Snowflake.* Proven ability to shape long-term product roadmaps and drive meaningful business outcomes through data-driven insights.* Ability to influence senior cross-functional leaders.* Ability to translate complex analysis into clear, executive-ready recommendations and action plans.* Ability to lead complex business areas with significant autonomy.* Strong technical expertise and product intuition.* Ability to set direction and drive execution across cross-functional partners. ## Preferred Qualifications The provided job description does not identify additional qualifications as explicitly preferred, nice-to-have, or bonus qualifications. ## Skills & Competencies * Data science* Quantitative analysis* Advanced statistical modeling* Experimentation and A/B testing* Causal inference* Time-series analysis* SQL* Python* Big data analytics* Databricks* Snowflake* Consumer-facing technology* Product analytics* Marketplace analytics* Rental search and ranking* Personalization* Marketplace efficiency* Data-driven product strategy* Product roadmap development* Business impact analysis* AI and LLM applications* Agentic workflows* Technical leadership* Cross-functional collaboration* Executive communication* Strategic thinking* Problem-solving* Initiative and ownership* Coaching and mentoring* Decision-making in ambiguous environments ## Education & Experience **Education** * Ph.D. or Master’s degree in a quantitative field, such as Statistics, Economics, or Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience. **Experience** * Typically 8+ years of experience in quantitative analysis, advanced modeling, and experimentation at scale in consumer-facing technology environments.* Experience working with big data environments such as Databricks or Snowflake.* Experience applying statistical modeling such as causal inference and time series.* Proven experience using data-driven insights to shape product roadmaps and business outcomes.* Experience influencing senior cross-functional leaders and communicating complex analysis effectively. ## Work Arrangement & Schedule * **Location:** Kentucky, Kentucky, US* **Work Arrangement:** Remote* **Remote Type:** Remote-US* **Employment Type:** Full-time* **Expected Weekly Hours:** Not specified.* **Schedule Flexibility:** Not specified.* **Weekend Requirements:** Not specified. Zillow states that remote employees do not have a permanent corporate office workplace and instead work from a physical location of their choice that must be identified to the company. U.S. employees may live in any of the 50 United States, with limited exceptions. ## Compensation & Benefits **Standard base pay ranges:** * **California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington state, and Washington DC:** $178,300–$284,700 annually.* **Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia:** $169,300–$270,500 annually. These salary ranges are specific to the listed locations and may not apply to other locations. * Eligible for equity awards based on factors including experience, performance, and location.* Actual compensation may vary depending on experience, performance, and location.* Employees will not be paid below the salary threshold for exempt employees in the state where they reside. ## Compliance / Additional Information Zillow Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive and innovative workplace. Employment opportunities are provided regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. Zillow encourages candidates with non-traditional backgrounds to apply and considers transferable skills and related experience. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities or special needs. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable state and local law. Additional fair-chance and employment requirements apply to Los Angeles County applicants as outlined in the original posting.