Roc Search10.02.26
AI SCORE 8.5

Head of Data Science - Remote Opportunity at AI Startup

$250K–$300K/year

About the Role

We are seeking a Head of Data Science to join a stealth-mode AI startup that is building groundbreaking intelligence solutions. This is a unique opportunity to lead the data function from the ground up in a high-potential environment. As the inaugural Head of Data Science, you will report directly to the Founder/CEO and define the AI/data strategy while building a world-class team.

What You'll Do

  • Shape and execute the full data science and machine learning roadmap, from foundational models to advanced production AI systems.
  • Architect scalable data infrastructure, pipelines, and experimentation frameworks to support cutting-edge AI development.
  • Collaborate closely with the founder on technical vision, rapid prototyping, model iteration, and product direction.
  • Lead talent acquisition and team building: hire, mentor, and scale a data science/ML organization as the company grows.
  • Ensure best practices around model performance, ethical AI, bias mitigation, explainability, and data governance/security.
  • Drive data-informed decisions that accelerate innovation across engineering, product, and business priorities.

Requirements

  • 7+ years in data science/machine learning, with 3+ years in senior/leadership roles at startups, AI labs, or high-growth tech companies.
  • Deep hands-on experience building and deploying production-grade ML/AI systems.
  • Strong technical fluency in Python, SQL, cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure), and modern frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX).
  • Proven track record of scaling data/ML teams from early stage through growth phases.
  • Thrives in ambiguity and fast iteration; excellent at distilling complex technical concepts.
  • Genuine excitement for frontier AI and building transformative technologies.

Nice to Have

  • Experience with generative AI, reinforcement learning, multimodal systems, or agentic architectures.
  • Familiarity with MLOps tools.

What We Offer

  • Competitive salary of $250K–$300K+ base.
  • Significant equity in a high-potential startup.
  • Comprehensive relocation support for candidates willing to move to Austin.
  • Opportunity to work in a thriving AI/tech ecosystem.
  • High autonomy in a fast-paced environment.
Why This Job8.5 of 10

This Head of Data Science role offers a unique opportunity to lead a data function in a stealth-mode AI startup with significant equity and a competitive salary.

Salary Range
Required
0/1
Optional
0/1
Bonus
0/1

Who Will Succeed Here

Expert in Python and experience with frameworks like PyTorch and TensorFlow for developing advanced AI models, with a proven track record of deploying machine learning solutions in production environments using MLOps methodologies.

Strong strategic mindset with the ability to define and execute data-driven strategies in a fully remote setting, demonstrating self-motivation and effective time management while leading a distributed team.

Deep understanding of cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, and Azure for scalable data infrastructure, equipped with hands-on experience in data pipeline development and optimization for large datasets.

Learning Resources

Python for Data Science Handbookguide

Career Path

Head of Data Science - Remote Opportunity(Now)Chief Data Officer(2-4 years)VP of Artificial Intelligence(5-7 years)

Market Overview

Market Size 2024
$45B
Annual Growth
21.5%
AI Adoption
75%
Investment
+150%
Labour Demand
+35%
Avg Salary
$150K

Skills & Requirements

Required
PythonSQLAWS
Growing in Demand
Data EngineeringNatural Language Processing (NLP)MLOps
Declining
R ProgrammingHadoop

Domain Trends

Increased Focus on MLOps
With 60% of organizations now adopting MLOps practices, there is a growing emphasis on operationalizing machine learning models efficiently.
Rise of Automated Machine Learning (AutoML)
AutoML tools are expected to grow by 40% in usage, allowing data scientists to automate repetitive tasks and focus on higher-level problem-solving.
Integration of AI in Business Processes
Around 70% of businesses are integrating AI into their core processes, leading to a surge in demand for data science professionals who can bridge technology and business.

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