Staff AI Data Scientist

Job Description

Who we’re looking for:

The ‘Zendesk Analytics Prototyping’ (ZAP) team is seeking a Staff Data Scientist to drive our mission of measuring and optimizing the impact of our AI features. In this role, you will design and build advanced measurement frameworks, develop statistical models, and refine descriptive analytics to provide actionable insights that directly influence operational performance. If you’re passionate about leveraging data science to uncover the true ROI of innovative AI capabilities like Agent Copilot, we want to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing:

• Develop descriptive analytics frameworks that track foundational AI metrics (e.g. usage, deflection success, resolution efficiency) to monitor and report on the ongoing performance of AI features.

• Develop statistical models to estimate the ROI of AI features by identifying key success drivers and quantifying improvements in operational performance.

• Develop cohort segmentation research to offer a robust framework for performance benchmarking.

• Work closely with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Product, Sales/GTM, and Analytics to align data science research strategies with business goals.

• Contribute to the analytics vision of the team and bring innovative data science solutions to complex challenges.

What you bring to the role:

Basic Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in data science, with a proven track record of building predictive models, classification algorithms, and advanced analytics frameworks.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Economics, or a related quantitative field or equivalent experience.

• Strong proficiency in SQL.

• Strong proficiency in statistical analysis and causal inference methodologies, with hands-on experience using tools such as Python or R.

• Solid understanding of data visualization tools and techniques to communicate complex findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Economics, or a related quantitative field.

• Experience in the AI or machine learning domain, specifically related to evaluating the impact of AI features.

• Expertise in developing measurement and benchmarking frameworks that directly drive business insights.

• Familiarity with big data technologies and cloud-based data platforms (e.g. Snowflake, DBT, AirFlow).

• Demonstrated experience with A/B testing, experimental design, and statistical modeling in large-scale environments.

• Prior exposure to CRM or customer support data environments is a plus.
   

Our Data and Tech Stack:

• ELT & Data Orchestration: Snowflake, dbt, Airflow, Kafka

• Machine Learning & Analytics: Python/R, PyTorch, TensorFlow, AWS Batch and EMR for ML pipelines

• Visualization: Tableau, Looker

#LI-KO1

Hybrid: In this role, our hybrid experience is designed at the team level to give you a rich onsite experience packed with connection, collaboration, learning, and celebration - while also giving you flexibility to work remotely for part of the week. This role must attend our local office for part of the week. The specific in-office schedule is to be determined by the hiring manager.

The intelligent heart of customer experience

Zendesk software was built to bring a sense of calm to the chaotic world of customer service. Today we power billions of conversations with brands you know and love.

Zendesk believes in offering our people a fulfilling and inclusive experience. Our hybrid way of working, enables us to purposefully come together in person, at one of our many Zendesk offices around the world, to connect, collaborate and learn whilst also giving our people the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week.

Zendesk is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster global diversity, equity, & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment and employees at Zendesk are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer. If you are based in the United States and would like more information about your EEO rights under the law, please click here.

Zendesk endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans pursuant to applicable federal and state law. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to submit this application, complete any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please send an e-mail to peopleandplaces@zendesk.com with your specific accommodation request.