At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive impactful insights using data science to enhance retail AI products.
- Company: Join Focal Systems, a leader in retail AI solutions with a dynamic team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, stock options, generous leave, and a learning budget.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in retail by applying deep learning and analytics.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in data science, strong SQL and Python skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Type: Full-time, salaried employment
Location: Remote in the UK only.
Salary Range: £60,000 to £70,000 + stock options
Focal Systems is the industry leader in retail AI solutions. We are headquartered in San Francisco, California with operations in Canada and the UK, and a tech-hub in Poland. Our mission is to automate and optimize brick and mortar retail using deep learning computer vision. Focal Systems has been deployed at scale with some of the top retailers in the world.
About the Role
As a Senior Data Scientist on our Analytics team, you will own end-to-end problems that combine applied statistics, experimentation, and machine learning to drive measurable improvements in how our retail AI products perform in the real world. You will work on ambiguous, open-ended questions, define the right approach, and deliver insights and models that influence the roadmap of Product, Engineering, and Operations. This is a senior individual contributor role. You will set the technical direction for your projects, partner with cross-functional stakeholders, and act as a force multiplier for analytics quality across the company.
What We Are Looking For
- You are a rigorous thinker who treats data as evidence, not decoration, and is comfortable telling a clear story about uncertainty.
- You have strong technical chops in SQL and Python, and you reach for the right tool, statistical, experimental, or ML, based on the problem in front of you.
- You can design experiments, reason about causality, and identify when a correlation is enough and when it is not.
- You are comfortable owning ambiguous, open-ended problems and breaking them down into a credible plan.
- You communicate findings crisply to technical and non-technical audiences, in writing, in dashboards, and in person.
- You raise the bar for the team through code review, methodology review, and mentorship of less senior analysts and scientists.
What You Will Be Doing
- Own analytical problems end to end from problem framing and metric definition through data acquisition, modeling, validation, and stakeholder rollout.
- Build predictive and inferential models such as forecasts, propensity and uplift models, and survival or duration analyses, where they meaningfully improve a product or operational decision.
- Develop statistical methods and reusable analyses for measuring performance, including detection accuracy, intervention impact, and downstream operational outcomes.
- Partner with Product, Engineering, and Operations to define key metrics, implement new features, and translate business questions into well-scoped analytical work.
- Audit system outputs and provide structured feedback that improves product accuracy and reliability.
- Communicate findings through dashboards, written analyses, and stakeholder presentations that lead to concrete decisions.
- Help define best practices around data quality, experimentation, modeling, and reproducibility, and contribute to the team’s data contracts and SOPs.
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience as a Data Scientist, Quantitative Analyst, or similar role, with a track record of shipping analyses and models that changed product or business decisions.
- Strong proficiency in SQL, including complex CTEs, window functions, and query optimization.
- Strong proficiency in Python for data work, including pandas, NumPy, and experience with statsmodels or other relevant tools.
- Solid grounding in applied statistics: hypothesis testing, regression, experimental design, and uncertainty quantification.
- Experience designing and analyzing A/B tests or other controlled experiments in a product setting.
- Experience building at least one class of predictive model end to end, for example forecasting, classification, or propensity modeling.
- Experience with data visualization and BI tools, and the ability to turn an analysis into a clear narrative.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to influence cross-functional partners without authority.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and drive ambiguous projects to completion.
Nice to Have
- Experience with Snowflake or a comparable cloud data warehouse.
- Experience with Sigma, Looker, or similar BI tools.
- Experience with database engineering/architecture.
- Background in retail, logistics, marketplaces, or other operationally complex environments.
- Experience mentoring analysts or junior data scientists.
Why Focal Systems
- Strong Values and Mission - We are a tightly-knit team with an ambitious mission and a strong set of core values, which define our approach to business and have successfully guided us since inception.
- Exceptional Team - We are a team of hard-working, fun-loving professionals from some of the most eminent universities, research labs, and tech companies of our time.
- Outstanding Partners - We work with 10+ of the largest retailers in the world and have a world-class roster of investors, advisors and partners to support & advise us in our endeavors.
What we offer
- Competitive Salary & Attractive Stock
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Pension
- Sick Leave
- Parental Leave
- Learning and Development Budget
Data Scientist - UK employer: Focal Systems
Focal Systems is an exceptional employer that prioritises the health and wellbeing of its employees while fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a remote-first company in the UK, we offer competitive salaries, attractive stock options, and generous paid time off, alongside ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Join our team of passionate experts dedicated to redefining retail through cutting-edge AI solutions, where your contributions will directly impact the future of the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Scientist - UK
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with current employees at Focal Systems. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your data science projects, especially those involving SQL and Python. This will give you an edge when discussing your experience during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your statistical methods and machine learning concepts. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled ambiguous problems in the past and the impact of your work.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at Focal Systems.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Scientist - UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Data Scientist role. Highlight your experience with SQL, Python, and any relevant projects that showcase your analytical skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're passionate about retail AI and how you can contribute to our team. Share specific examples of your work and how it relates to the role. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them to tackle ambiguous problems. We love candidates who can break down complex issues and deliver actionable insights, so give us the details!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Focal Systems
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Data Scientist, you’ll need to demonstrate your understanding of data as evidence. Brush up on your SQL and Python skills, and be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to tell a compelling story with data.
✨Master the Art of Experimentation
Focal Systems values rigorous experimentation. Be prepared to talk about your experience designing A/B tests or other controlled experiments. Think of specific instances where your experimental design led to significant insights or changes in product direction.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
You’ll need to convey complex findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. Practice summarising your analyses in clear, concise language. Consider preparing a few slides or a dashboard mock-up to illustrate how you would present your findings during the interview.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Even though this is an individual contributor role, showcasing your ability to mentor others can set you apart. Think of examples where you’ve raised the bar for your team through code reviews or by sharing best practices. Highlight how you can contribute to the team's growth and success.
