Associate Principal Data Scientist

As an Associate Principal Data Scientist, you will lead large-scale data science initiatives, shaping the direction of experimentation and modeling. Responsibilities include designing and executing data science projects, applying advanced statistical and machine learning techniques, providing technical direction, mentoring senior data scientists, and collaborating across teams to influence strategy. You'll also champion innovation by evaluating new methodologies and tools, raising the bar for scalable and interpretable data science solutions. The role requires strong systems thinking, excellent communication, and experience mentoring and influencing data science teams.

Must Have

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field
• 14+ years of data science experience
• Proficient in Python and SQL
• Strong systems thinking and strategic vision
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Good to Have

• Experience with advertising data or monetization systems
• Prior work with mobile gaming studios
• Experience in developing experimentation platforms
• Familiarity with modern data orchestration

Perks & Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account
• 401(k) with Company match
• Tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching
• Paid holidays and vacation, sick time, parental leave
• Mental health & wellbeing programs

• Lead the design and execution of large-scale data science initiatives, shaping the roadmap for experimentation and modeling across teams.
• Apply advanced statistical, optimization, and machine learning techniques (e.g., time-series, regression/classification, recommendation engines, reinforcement learning, and genAI) to drive system understanding and develop data-powered solutions across the organization.
• Own design and evaluation of experimentation for optimization systems.
• Provide technical direction, mentor senior data scientists, and set high standards for scientific rigor, communication, and reproducibility.
• Partner cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, and Game Studios to frame ambiguous problems, scope solutions, and influence strategy.
• Champion innovation by evaluating new methodologies and tools, and by raising the bar for scalable, interpretable, and actionable data science.

• Master’s degree or PhD in a quantitative field (e.g., Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Operations Research).
• 14+ years of industry experience (or equivalent post-graduate experience) in data science, experimentation, statistical modeling, and machine learning, including work with large-scale systems.
• Proficient in Python and SQL; familiarity with big data tools (e.g., Spark, Hive) and cloud computing platforms (e.g., GCP, AWS).
• Strong systems thinking—able to zoom out and define strategy while also diving deep into code and analysis.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with demonstrated experience partnering across Product, Engineering and Business teams.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring, influencing, and elevating the technical bar across a data science organization.

• Experience working with advertising data products or monetization systems.
• Prior work with mobile gaming studios or player behavior modeling.
• Experience in developing or maintaining experimentation platforms.
• Familiarity with modern data orchestration and versioning (e.g., Airflow, dbt, MLflow).

About Activision Blizzard Media

Activision Blizzard Media is the gateway for brands to the #1 cross-platform gaming company in the western world, with hundreds of millions of players across over 190 countries. Our legendary portfolio includes iconic mobile game franchises such as Candy Crush™, esports opportunities like the Call of Duty® and Overwatch® Leagues, and some of the top PC and console gaming franchises such as World of Warcraft®, Call of Duty®, and StarCraft®. The idea is simple: great game experiences offer great marketing experiences.

A Great Saga Needs All Sorts of Heroes

King strives to be a place where everyone can be their most authentic self. We recognize that diversity, equity and inclusion is a vital and continuous conversation, and that change only happens when we all come together. It’s our mission to build a diverse and inclusive Kingdom for our people, players, and community. 

Making the World Playful

Making the World Playful is our mission – it’s the thread that connects our people, our players, and our passion for our games. Let’s face it, who doesn’t love a bit of fun?

Kingsters are seriously playful: creative thinkers who balance art and science to bring moments of magic to millions daily. But our players aren’t the only ones that can level-up. We’re always looking for ways to champion each other and make what’s already great, even better.

So, if this feels like a fun way to spend your days, and you share our passion, our values, and our hunger to shape the future, join us in Making the World Playful.

Applications needs to be in English.

Discover King at careers.king.com

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!  Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.