Data Scientist, Risk

About Gusto

Gusto supports more than 500,000 small businesses nationwide with payroll, health insurance, 401(k)s, and HR services.

About the Role

As a Data Scientist supporting Risk, you will use experimentation, statistical inference, and causal analysis to inform strategic business decisions. This role is equivalent to Staff level, with ownership of experimentation and risk models that directly influence business decisions.

You will partner with risk leaders and colleagues in Engineering, Product, Design, Operations, Identity, and Compliance. You will define and track business-performance metrics, investigate risk-stack data, and integrate AI-assisted practices to accelerate analysis and broaden the reach of insights.

Responsibilities

• Translate ambiguous stakeholder questions into clear, testable analyses and actionable recommendations.
• Structure complex business problems, identify performance drivers, and influence product and business decisions.
• Apply statistical reasoning and experimentation frameworks, balancing analytical rigor and speed.
• Use AI-assisted analytics, including Claude Code, to enhance analytical approaches and build risk models.
• Recommend process and project improvements based on model findings.
• Design and interpret experiments, define success metrics, measure impact, and communicate trade-offs.
• Present clear, data-driven stories connecting findings to business strategy for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Own end-to-end delivery of analyses and metrics, collaborating across functions to scope, prioritize, and deliver insights.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of Data Science experience at a product-focused software company.
• Experience in risk data science and risk modeling.
• Strong SQL skills and comfort with Python.
• Proven ability to apply statistical methods, causal inference, and experimental design to business problems.
• Excellent communication skills and a track record of influencing cross-functional stakeholders and leadership.
• Experience leading technically complex projects with clear business impact.
• Proactive, resilient problem-solving and the ability to independently structure ambiguous problems into actionable insights.
• Passion for mentoring others and improving data science practices across the team.

Work Arrangement

• Based in San Francisco, with in-office attendance expected on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• San Francisco office expectations encompass both the San Francisco and San Jose metro areas.
• A secure, reliable, consistent internet connection is required when working away from a Gusto office, including hybrid non-office days.
• Regular, predictable attendance and timely responsiveness to colleagues and customers are expected.

Compensation and Benefits

• Target annual cash compensation for San Francisco: $186,000–$230,000. Final offers depend on experience, expertise, and other factors and may vary from this range.
• Posting metadata separately lists Start of Entry: 186810; Midpoint: 219500; Max of Mature: 252194; Variable Pay Target: 0.
• Full-time employees receive competitive base pay, benefits, and equity through restricted stock units (RSUs).

Interview and Application Information

• All team members are expected to actively use AI tools relevant to their roles and develop their fluency as the technology evolves. Role-specific AI experience is assessed during interviews.
• Gusto's titles reflect craft and scope of ownership rather than traditional rank; recruiters can clarify how this role compares with other titles or levels.
• Candidates requiring medical or religious accommodations during the hiring process may request them through Gusto's accommodation form.