Berkley

Principal Data Scientist

Berkley$200K — $300K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in relevant quantitative field; Master's or PhD preferred.
  • 10+ years of hands-on experience in machine learning or AI engineering, not just analytics.
  • Demonstrated ability to ship ML models and manage their lifecycle in production environments.
  • Experience leading end-to-end data science projects and measuring business impact.
  • Proven influence on technical direction without direct authority.
  • Expert-level proficiency in Python and related ML libraries.

Responsibilities

  • Design, write, test, and deploy production-grade ML and AI systems.
  • Architect and implement generative AI and LLM-powered solutions.
  • Develop scalable ML pipelines for training and monitoring.
  • Take models from prototype to production using CI/CD practices.
  • Apply advanced analytical techniques to solve complex business problems.
  • Establish experiment tracking and model validation standards.
  • Shape enterprise AI platforms and advocate for best practices in MLOps.

Benefits

  • Health, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage.
  • Life and Disability insurance plans.
  • Wellness initiatives and Paid Time Off.
  • 401(k) with Profit-Sharing options.
  • Annual discretionary bonus eligibility.
Full Job Description
Responsibilities

We are seeking an exceptional Principal Data Scientist who is part deep technologist, part entrepreneur, and part strategic innovator. This is not a traditional analytics role, it is built for a builder. You will own the full lifecycle of high-impact AI/ML solutions, from whiteboard to production, writing substantial code and driving rigorous analysis that directly shapes enterprise decisions.

 

Sitting at the intersection of advanced machine learning, software engineering, and business strategy, you will architect and ship production-grade AI systems across underwriting, claims, operations, and finance.

 

 

AI Engineering & Production ML Development

  • Own the code, not just the model: Design, write, test, and deploy production-grade ML and AI systems using Python, modern ML frameworks, and cloud-native tooling.
  • Build generative AI & LLM-powered solutions: Architect and implement RAG pipelines, fine-tuning workflows, agentic systems, and LLM evaluation harnesses.
  • Engineer scalable ML pipelines: Develop robust feature engineering, training, inference, and monitoring pipelines built for reliability and scale.
  • Ship end-to-end: Take models from prototype through CI/CD into monitored production environments, including automated retraining and drift detection.

Advanced Data Science & Analytical Rigor

  • Lead complex analytical investigations: Apply causal inference, Bayesian modeling, survival analysis, and simulation to solve high-stakes business problems.
  • Translate ambiguity to impact: Frame undefined problems with entrepreneurial clarity: define success metrics, scope solutions, and move from question to insight at speed.
  • Ensure reproducibility and rigor: Establish standards for experiment tracking, version control, and model validation aligned with enterprise governance requirements.

Architecture, Platforms & Technical Strategy

  • Shape the AI/ML platform: Evaluate and recommend tools, frameworks, and cloud services (Azure ML, Databricks, MLflow, etc.) that form the backbone of enterprise AI capability.
  • Establish reusable accelerators: Build and document shared libraries, templates, and design patterns that multiply team productivity across the data science community.
  • Drive MLOps excellence: Define and enforce best practices for model governance, monitoring, A/B testing, and lifecycle management in production.
  • Architect for the long term: Make principled trade-offs between build vs. buy, speed vs. rigor, and experimentation vs. standardization.

Entrepreneurial Innovation & Strategic Influence

  • Rapidly prototype and validate: Move from idea to working proof-of-concept in days, not months using experimentation to de-risk investment before scaling.
  • Influence enterprise standards: Shape the organization's model development, validation, and deployment standards as a principal-level technical authority.
Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Engineering, or a closely related quantitative field.
  • Master's or PhD preferred

Experience

  • 10+ years of hands-on experience in applied machine learning, data science, or AI engineering  not just analytics. Demonstrated track record of shipping ML models and AI systems to production, including ownership of monitoring and maintenance.
  • Experience leading complex, end-to-end data science projects from problem definition through deployment and business impact measurement.
  • Proven ability to influence technical direction and strategy without direct management authority.

Technical Proficiency  (Must Be Hands-On)

  • Python (expert-level): NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn, PyTorch or TensorFlow, Hugging Face, LangChain/LlamaIndex or equivalent.
  • ML Engineering: Feature stores, model registries (MLflow), experiment tracking, CI/CD for ML, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes).
  • LLMs & Generative AI: Prompt engineering, RAG architecture, fine-tuning, evaluation frameworks, and agentic workflow design.
  • SQL & Data Engineering: Complex query optimization, dbt or similar, working fluently with Spark or Databricks.
  • Cloud Platforms: Azure ML preferred; AWS SageMaker or GCP Vertex AI experience
  • Statistics & ML Foundations: Regression, classification, clustering, time-series, Bayesian methods, causal inference, and model interpretability (SHAP, LIME).
  • Software Engineering Practices: Git, code review, unit testing, design patterns you write code that others can maintain.

Preferred Qualification

  • Experience in financial services, insurance, or other regulated industries with model risk management requirements.
  • Contributions to open-source ML projects
  • Experience building and operating real-time inference systems (low-latency APIs, streaming prediction pipelines).
  • Familiarity with model governance frameworks and regulatory requirements
  • Experience with agentic AI systems, multi-modal models, or domain-adapted LLMs in an enterprise context.
  • Background in agile/product-oriented analytics teams with sprint-based delivery.
Additional Company DetailsWe do not accept any unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies or firms. The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees which for this role include: • Base Salary Range: $200,000 – $300,000 • Eligible to participate in annual discretionary bonus. • Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Wellness, Paid Time Off, 401(k) and Profit-Sharing plans. The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment. Sponsorship DetailsSponsorship not Offered for this Role

About Berkley

Berkley is a packaging company that develops innovative solutions to help our customers sell more product and be on the edge. Berkley offers the cost advantages and creative control of an in house/on site agency without the risk and hassle of oversight. Berkley develops turnkey retail environments – including design, manufacturing and installation services.

Berkley Careers

Joining Berkley presents a prime opportunity to be part of a team renowned for its leadership in the industry, fostering innovation and growth. Berkley, a company committed to professional excellence and diversity, offers a range of job opportunities that cater to various skills and career aspirations.

Explore Job Opportunities

Berkley is actively hiring, seeking individuals who are passionate, driven, and ready to contribute to a dynamic team environment. With a variety of positions available, Berkley provides a platform for professionals at every stage of their career, from entry-level to senior leadership roles.

Internship Programs

Kickstart a career with Berkley through comprehensive internship programs designed to provide hands-on experience in a real-world setting. Internships at Berkley are a gateway to full-time employment, offering invaluable industry exposure and networking opportunities.

Professional Growth and Development

Berkley is dedicated to the continuous professional development of its team members. The company supports career advancement through leadership training programs, workshops, and seminars that enhance skills and foster innovation.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Berkley, diversity is celebrated and actively promoted through various initiatives and diversity training programs. The company believes that a diverse workforce is key to driving creativity and innovation.

Benefits and Culture

Employees at Berkley enjoy a range of benefits designed to support their professional and personal lives. The company culture emphasizes teamwork, respect, and integrity, creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

Applying for a Position

To apply for a position at Berkley, candidates are encouraged to submit a resume that highlights relevant experience and skills. The interview process is designed to assess not only professional qualifications but also a candidate's fit with Berkley's culture and values.

Stay Connected with Berkley Careers

For those interested in joining Berkley, staying updated on new job openings and company news is easy. Subscribe to receive tailored job alerts and read the latest insights on career development and industry trends.

Join Berkley

Discover the career opportunities waiting at Berkley. Search for open positions that match your skills and interests. Berkley is looking for curious, creative, and solution-driven team players ready to make an impact.

SEARCH BERKLEY JOBS

Read Careers Blog

Stay informed with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights from Berkley professionals. Use this knowledge to enhance your resume, prepare for interviews, and understand the job market landscape.

Job Alert Emails

Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts and insider tips tailored to your preferences from Berkley. Explore the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await.

READ CAREERS BLOG

Learn more about Berkley
Size
51 employees
Industry

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Berkley

More Finance & Insurance Jobs

Find similar Principal Data Scientist jobs: