Staff Data Scientist

What You'll Need To Thrive (Requirements)

• 5+ years of experience in data science with a proven track record of delivering production ML systems that drive measurable impact.
• Deep knowledge of statistical modeling, machine learning (e.g., tree-based models, time series, deep learning), and model evaluation.
• Experience working with real-world product data at scale and translating ambiguous problems into well-scoped ML solutions.
• Experience with distributed data processing and training, real-time inference, and ML Ops frameworks.
• Prior experience mentoring other data scientists or acting as a tech lead.
• Experience leading experimentation (e.g., A/B testing), causal inference, and real-time decision systems.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL, and experience with ML frameworks (e.g., scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Strong grasp of software engineering principles including modular design, version control, testing, and CI/CD.
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (preferably AWS), including tools like SageMaker, Athena, Glue, DynamoDB, and Bedrock.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to align technical solutions with company goals.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities)

• Own the full machine learning lifecycle—from problem framing and data exploration to modeling, deployment, and monitoring—for mission-critical initiatives.
• Design and implement advanced ML and statistical models that improve product performance, operational efficiency, or customer insights.
• Collaborate with engineers, product managers, and business stakeholders to define project scope, success metrics, and integration strategy.
• Guide architectural decisions, set modeling standards, and champion best practices for experimentation, validation, and productionization.
• Mentor other data scientists and raise the technical bar through design reviews, feedback, and sharing domain expertise.
• Proactively identify areas where data science can create business value and lead cross-functional efforts to drive those opportunities forward.
• Leverage cutting edge AI tools to enhance your development workflow, improve velocity, and help pioneer new approaches to building - contributing to a culture of innovation and productivity across the team.

Skills

The ideal candidate should have a strong background in data science, with a focus on machine learning and statistical modeling. They should also have hands-on experience with real-world product data and be able to translate complex business problems into actionable ML solutions. Proficiency in Python and SQL, along with experience with popular ML frameworks, is essential. Additionally, experience with cloud platforms and tools like SageMaker, Athena, Glue, DynamoDB, and Bedrock is highly valued. Strong communication and collaboration skills are also crucial, as is the ability to influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Benefits

At Toast, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes competitive compensation, equity, and a range of additional perks designed to support your overall well-being. Our total rewards philosophy is centered around providing the means to a healthy lifestyle with the flexibility to meet your changing needs. For more information, please visit our careers page at https://careers.toasttab.com/toast-benefits.

Pay

The base salary range for this role is listed below:

• Zone A: $170,000—$272,000 USD
• Zone B: $148,000—$237,000 USD
• Zone C: $133,000—$213,000 USD

Schedule

Our hybrid work model allows for in-person collaboration while valuing individual needs. This approach fosters a strong culture of connection as we work together to empower the restaurant community, regardless of location. For more details on our in-office expectations by region, please visit our career site at https://careers.toasttab.com/locations-toast.

About the Role

As a Staff Data Scientist at Toast, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our technology. You will lead the design and development of scalable ML systems for use cases such as menu recommendation, demand forecasting, offer targeting, and guest personalization. Your work will directly shape strategic decisions and enhance customer experience at scale.

Company Culture

At Toast, we are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive hiring process. We strive to provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities to enable them to access the hiring process. For more information, please contact candidateaccommodations@toasttab.com. Additionally, it is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.