Data Scientist, Marketing Analytics

Ibotta is seeking a Data Scientist for Marketing Analytics to join the Publisher Insights team and build uplift-based rewards optimization models for weekly retention programs. This hybrid role is based in Denver, Colorado and requires U.S. residence.

Role Summary

In this position, you will build and own uplift-based optimization models that determine which bonus each saver receives in weekly retention programs. The models are designed to balance incremental redemptions against cost, while supporting ongoing experimentation and data-driven marketing decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Build, retrain, and tune uplift models that determine which bonus each saver receives, balancing incremental redemptions against cost.
• Own models in production by maintaining feature pipelines, deploying new model versions, and monitoring performance and drift in line with Ibotta’s model development standards.
• Run weekly model operations by reviewing results as they arrive and adjusting model parameters to stay within budget and performance thresholds.
• Design and analyze A/B tests and holdouts to measure bonus performance and generate training data for the models.
• Report model performance and business impact to Marketing stakeholders, communicating results clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Analyze large datasets on saver behavior to identify insights that improve models and marketing programs.
• Partner with analytics engineers, data engineers, and Marketing stakeholders to define, locate, and prepare data for analysis and modeling.
• Support team best practices, including documentation, code review, and reusable modeling workflows.
• Uphold Ibotta’s Core Values: Integrity, Boldness, Ownership, Teamwork, Transparency, and “A good idea can come from anywhere.”

Requirements

• 2+ years of progressive experience in a professional data science, machine learning, statistics, or data analysis role, or related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Economics or similar field; advanced degree preferred.
• Strong Python skills (pandas, scikit-learn) and SQL.
• Spark or PySpark experience is a strong plus.
• Hands-on experience building and evaluating machine learning and statistical models, including gradient boosting and neural networks (TensorFlow/Keras or PyTorch).
• Working knowledge of experimentation and causal inference.
• Experience with uplift or heterogeneous treatment effect modeling is a strong plus.
• Experience deploying or maintaining at least one model in production using Git and an orchestration tool such as Airflow or Databricks Jobs.
• Model monitoring and drift detection experience is a plus.
• Experience building features from large, event-level datasets.
• Comfort using AI coding assistants, with the ability to review, test, and debug code produced with them.
• Experience driving decisions with data and data storytelling, including explaining model results and trade-offs to non-technical partners.
• Experience with marketing incentives, promotions, loyalty, or retention programs, or modeling that balances competing goals such as volume and cost, is a plus.
• Must live in the United States and be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Technologies

• Python, pandas, scikit-learn, SQL
• Spark, PySpark
• TensorFlow/Keras, PyTorch
• Gradient boosting, neural networks
• Git, Airflow, Databricks Jobs

Compensation

Base compensation range is $110,000 - $130,000 per year. Total compensation includes a variable component in addition to base salary, and equity is included in the overall compensation package. This range is specific to the United States labor market and may be adjusted based on actual experience.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Flexible time off
• Benefits package including medical, dental, and vision
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• 401k match
• Denver office perks including paid parking, snacks, and occasional meals

Location and Employment Details

• Location: Hybrid in Denver, CO (3 days in office)
• Employment type: Full time
• Department: Technical - Non-Engineering

Additional Notes

• Applicants are accepted until the position is filled.
• Ibotta is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• For security, all employees are responsible for secure handling of data per security policies, identifying and reporting phishing attempts, and reporting security incidents to the proper channels.
• Ibotta does not accept agency resumes and is not responsible for fees related to unsolicited resumes. Please do not forward resumes to any Ibotta employees.