Principal Data Scientist


West Des Moines
Permanent
$160,000 - $180,000 USD a year
Insurance and Actuarial Science
PR/611839_1790351976
Principal Data Scientist

Principal Data Scientist

Property & Casualty Insurance

A well-established Property & Casualty insurance organization is seeking an experienced Principal Data Scientist to provide technical leadership across the full analytics lifecycle. This individual will help develop and implement scalable predictive modelling, machine learning, and AI solutions that influence key business decisions across pricing, underwriting, claims, product, distribution, customer/member analytics, and portfolio management.

This is a highly visible opportunity for an experienced data science professional who combines deep technical expertise with strong business acumen and the ability to mentor others and drive analytics strategy.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the development, deployment, monitoring, and ongoing enhancement of predictive models, machine learning applications, and AI solutions.
  • Apply advanced statistical and machine learning techniques, including GLMs, GAMs, gradient boosting, ensemble methods, and explainable AI.
  • Develop production-ready solutions using Python and SQL, including APIs, scoring processes, and analytical tools.
  • Advance MLOps capabilities, including testing, CI/CD, model governance, performance monitoring, and lifecycle management.
  • Help drive the responsible adoption of generative AI, NLP, and intelligent automation across the organization.
  • Establish best practices and standards around model development, validation, documentation, explainability, and regulatory compliance.
  • Partner with business, analytics, actuarial, and technology stakeholders to translate complex business challenges into data-driven solutions.
  • Mentor data science and analytics professionals while serving as a technical leader across the broader Predictive Analytics function.

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience developing predictive models, machine learning solutions, AI applications, or production analytics systems.
  • Bachelor's degree in a quantitative or technical field required; advanced degree preferred.
  • Advanced proficiency with Python and SQL and experience building production-quality analytical solutions.
  • Strong expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, model validation, calibration, and explainability.
  • Experience developing or working with APIs, model services, and production scoring processes.
  • Knowledge of software engineering principles and MLOps practices, including CI/CD.
  • Experience with platforms such as Databricks, Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, or comparable cloud/data environments is preferred.
  • Property & Casualty insurance experience is highly preferred.
  • Strong communication, leadership, stakeholder-management, and mentoring capabilities.

The Opportunity

This position offers the opportunity to serve as a senior technical leader within a growing analytics function and directly influence how advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI are used across a P&C insurance organization. The successful candidate will have significant exposure to both technical and business stakeholders and will play an important role in building scalable analytics capabilities that drive measurable business results.

Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative working environment are offered.

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