Data Scientist - Discovery & Ranking Systems | Roblox

As a Data Scientist on the Discovery Experiences team, you will own the ranking initiatives that power Roblox’s most critical consumer surfaces—including Home, Search, Matchmaking, and Notifications. In this high-visibility role reporting directly to the Senior Director of Data Science, you will develop the machine learning algorithms, causal inference frameworks, and economic models that govern how over 70 million daily active users discover content across a massive two-sided UGC marketplace.

Key Responsibilities

Algorithmic Vision & ML Ranking

• Ranking Architecture: Lead the development and deployment of machine learning solutions and ranking frameworks powering Discovery surfaces, moving beyond local optimizations to maximize long-term ecosystem health and user retention.
• First-Principles Problem Solving: Apply creative reasoning to balance the discovery of established top-tier experiences with emerging, niche user-generated content (UGC).

Causal Inference & Advanced Experimentation

• Advanced Experimentation: Design and execute complex experimental frameworks that account for social network effects, multi-sided marketplace dynamics, and user interaction nuances.
• Causal Inference: Utilize causal inference methodologies to measure the impact of platform-wide features and network-wide events.
• Hypothesis Scaling: Build scalable analytical frameworks to accelerate hypothesis generation and experimentation velocity.

Cross-Functional Strategy & Leadership

• Strategic Partnership: Serve as the primary scientific advisor to Product and Engineering leaders, using deep-dive analytics and ML prototypes to influence product roadmaps.
• Executive Communication: Translate high-dimensional data, complex statistical models, and ML concepts into succinct, actionable strategic narratives for non-technical executive stakeholders.

Requirements

Technical Skills & Educational Background

• Education: Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in a quantitative field (Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or Economics).
• Professional Experience: 4+ years of professional experience in Data Science, Economics, or ML Engineering (or 2+ years with a Ph.D.), specifically within large-scale recommendation systems, search/ranking, or UGC content platforms.
• Modern Data Stack Mastery: Hands-on proficiency with Python, R, SQL, Hive, Spark, and Airflow, alongside deep theoretical and practical understanding of Deep Learning.
• Experimentation & Causal Inference: Proven track record of designing sophisticated experiments and applying causal modeling within complex platform ecosystems.

Total Rewards & Benefits

• Compensation & Equity: San Mateo base salary range ($193,170 – $263,670 USD) + competitive Roblox equity compensation.
• Healthcare & Wellbeing: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance packages for employees and eligible dependents.
• Onsite Perks & Campus: Modern San Mateo headquarters featuring daily catered meals, team events, and state-of-the-art technical setups.
• Time Off & Retirement: Generous vacation policies, paid company holidays, paid parental leave, and 401(k) matching programs.