Director of Data Science and Engineering

About Sandsoft:

Headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sandsoft is a global video game developer, publisher and investor with a focus on engaging and entertaining players worldwide.

Our vision is to be the leading mobile-first games publisher & developer out the MENA region.

Our international team is composed of passionate and brave game makers with vast experience in developing, publishing and leading highly successful AAA mobile, console and desktop games including FIFA, Candy Crush, Need for Speed, Angry Birds, World of Tanks and more!

Through a passion for games, Sandsoft Games aims at bringing closer continents, cultures, and people.

About the role:

As the Director of Data Science and Engineering at Sandsoft, you will play a critical role in uniting various functions of our organization through the power of data. You will lead a high-performing team of data scientists, engineers, and analysts, with a special focus on cross-functional collaboration. Your goal is to harness data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions in game development, publishing, and user acquisition, while fostering strong partnerships across departments.

The role is an onsite one, based in our office in Barcelona or Riyadh.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Develop and execute the overall data strategy in alignment with Sandsoft’s business objectives, with a strong emphasis on integrating data insights into every facet of the organization.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership, product, marketing, game development, and user acquisition teams to ensure data initiatives are aligned with broader business goals.
• Act as a bridge between technical and non-technical teams, ensuring seamless communication and understanding of data insights and their implications for various projects.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Build, mentor, and manage a diverse team of data scientists, data engineers, and analysts.
• Cultivate a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning within your team and across the organization.
• Lead regular cross-departmental meetings and workshops to promote knowledge sharing and joint problem-solving initiatives.

Data Science & Engineering Oversight:

• Design and implement robust data architectures, pipelines, and analytics platforms that support cross-functional projects.
• Ensure the effective integration of data science models and engineering solutions into production environments used by various business units.
• Advocate for and implement best practices in data governance, quality, and security, ensuring all teams can rely on accurate and timely data.

Driving Innovation Through Collaboration:

• Lead collaborative projects that leverage advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI to enhance game design, user engagement, and acquisition strategies.
• Partner with marketing and product teams to develop predictive models and algorithms that optimize user acquisition and retention.
• Foster an environment where ideas and insights from all corners of the organization are valued and can drive meaningful change.

Performance Optimization & Business Impact:

• Utilize data-driven insights to develop and refine strategies that improve key performance metrics across games and user acquisition campaigns.
• Lead A/B testing initiatives and other experimental frameworks in partnership with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement.
• Present data insights and performance updates to executive leadership and relevant stakeholders, ensuring transparent communication and actionable recommendations.

Required Qualifications

Experience & Expertise:

• 10+ years of experience in data science, analytics, or data engineering, with a proven track record in leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success in working in cross-functional environments, ideally within mobile gaming, publishing, or digital media sectors.
• Strong understanding of user acquisition strategies, marketing analytics, and game performance metrics.

Technical Skills:

• Expertise in data architecture, data warehousing, and big data technologies (e.g., SQL, NoSQL, Spark, Hadoop).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or Scala.
• Hands-on experience with machine learning frameworks and statistical modeling.
• Familiarity with cloud-based data platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and modern data engineering tools.

Leadership & Communication:

• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.

Educational Background:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Engineering, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented mobile gaming or digital entertainment company.
• Familiarity with user behavior analytics, A/B testing, and performance marketing.
• Experience working in agile development environments and modern software development practices.

At Sandsoft, we do things differently.

We Value Independence. We create the best possible, small teams and give them the freedom and independence to work together in pursuit of creating and publishing the highest quality games with high reliability and competition at the heart of the experience. Each team has the freedom to pursue this goal as they see fit. It’s up to them to decide what is best for Sandsoft and for our players.

We Defer to Trust. We trust each other, even when we disagree. In this environment, you will work with your colleagues who will trust you to do what makes sense and give you the autonomy to do what is right for Sandsoft as only our game teams can make the decision to launch or shut down their project.

Everyone is a Game Maker. Everybody in our team is first and foremost, a Game Maker and you will be no different. We encourage our people to use their talents where they have the most impact. We ask and give feedback proactively to inform our decisions. So while you are a master of your own discipline, you are also a key stakeholder and your role and voice is critical when it comes to concepting, designing and promoting games.

We Live Our Company Values. We pride ourselves in hiring growth-minded people who show a motivated, collaborative, and entrepreneurial attitude, and who embrace our Core Values as the right way to develop something great together.

Sandsoft core values are: Boldness 👩‍🚀 + Togetherness 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾 + Growth 🚀

To know more about Sandsoft, visit our website or Linkedin profile.

If you feel like you would like to be part of this journey, please apply!