Staff Data Scientist

PayPal • San Jose, CA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. We operate a global, two-sided network at scale that connects hundreds of millions of merchants and consumers. We help merchants and consumers connect, transact, and complete payments, whether they are online or in person. PayPal is more than a connection to third-party payment networks. We provide proprietary payment solutions accepted by merchants that enable the completion of payments on our platform on behalf of our customers. We offer our customers the flexibility to use their accounts to purchase and receive payments for goods and services, as well as the ability to transfer and withdraw funds. We enable consumers to exchange funds more safely with merchants using a variety of funding sources, which may include a bank account, a PayPal or Venmo account balance, PayPal and Venmo branded credit products, a credit card, a debit card, certain cryptocurrencies, or other stored value products such as gift cards, and eligible credit card rewards. Our PayPal, Venmo, and Xoom products also make it safer and simpler for friends and family to transfer funds to each other. We offer merchants an end-to-end payments solution that provides authorization and settlement capabilities, as well as instant access to funds and payouts. We also help merchants connect with their customers, process exchanges and returns, and manage risk. We enable consumers to engage in cross-border shopping and merchants to extend their global reach while reducing the complexity and friction involved in enabling cross-border trade. Our beliefs are the foundation for how we conduct business every day. We live each day guided by our core values of Inclusion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Wellness. Together, our values ensure that we work together as one global team with our customers at the center of everything we do – and they push us to ensure we take care of ourselves, each other, and our communities. Job Summary: This is a highly visible role within PayPal's Risk and Core Platforms product org, supporting all verticals — Consumer, SMB, and Large Enterprise — across core PayPal and adjacencies including Venmo. Key focus areas span Risk, Compliance, Identity, Servicing, Agentic, and Data Platforms. You will drive BI and ML Modeling as part of the Product Data Science function, partnering closely with Product teams, first and second-line business teams, and the Global Risk Management org to deliver scalable, data-driven solutions. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in analytics, data engineering, ETL pipelines, A/B testing, and advanced analytics — preferably in fintech, banking, or a Risk and Regulatory environment. Proficiency in SQL, Python, BigQuery, Tableau, and Power BI is essential, along with the ability to translate complex analyses into clear, actionable insights for both technical and executive audiences.

Requirements

• 5+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor’s degree OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Analytics & Data Science, Data Engineering, ETL data pipelines, and BI Reporting, including A/B testing and advanced analytics — preferably in a fintech/banking Risk and Regulatory space.
• Experience working in Second Line of Defense, Financial Crimes, and customer protection areas is preferred.
• Demonstrated success partnering with Strategy, Business, and Product teams in domains such as fintech, banking, and payments to deliver impactful, data-driven insights.
• Proven ability to lead and manage analytics and data science projects end-to-end, from ideation to delivery, leveraging data modeling, machine learning algorithms, and advanced analytics techniques.
• Extensive experience analyzing high-volume, high-dimensional real-world data, with a focus on scalable solutions and measurable business outcomes.
• Advanced proficiency in SQL and Python, with expertise in extracting, processing, and generating actionable insights from large, complex datasets.
• Hands-on experience with modern data tools and platforms, including Jupyter Notebooks, BigQuery, Teradata, Hadoop, and Hive.
• Strong expertise in designing and building executive dashboards and impactful data visualizations using Tableau, Power BI, and Looker to drive data-informed decision-making at the leadership level.
• Exceptional communication and data storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex analyses for both technical and non-technical audiences and influence cross-functional decisions.
• Highly motivated, self-directed, and passionate about experimentation, product thinking, and navigating ambiguity while managing multiple projects in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage data science projects, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business goals.
• Develop and maintain data models, algorithms, and reporting systems to support data analysis and decision-making.
• Analyze complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights that drive strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand data needs and provide actionable insights.
• Ensure data quality and integrity through regular audits and validation processes.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Benefits

• At PayPal, we’re committed to building an equitable and inclusive global economy.
• That’s why we offer comprehensive, choice-based programs, to support all aspects of personal wellbeing—physical, emotional, and financial—delivering meaningful value where it matters most.
• We strive to create a flexible, balanced work culture with a holistic approach to benefits, including generous paid time off, healthcare coverage for you and your family, and resources to create financial security and support your mental health.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees