Director, Data Science

Role Description

May Mobility is entering an exciting phase of growth as we expand our autonomous transit and mobility services across the country. The Director, Data Science will lead the team responsible for turning the data generated by our fleet, simulation environment, and ML systems into the insights, evaluations, and decisions that make our autonomous service safer, more efficient, and ready to scale into new cities.

• Own data science across simulation and synthetic data, perception and planning ML evaluation, fleet operations analytics, and the data infrastructure that supports them.
• Partner directly with Engineering, Product, Operations, and Safety leadership to set measurement standards, define release criteria, and translate frontline operating data into the next generation of our autonomy stack.
• This is a leadership role for someone who has scaled a data science function inside a hard-tech environment.

Essential Responsibilities

• Set and own the data science strategy across simulation and synthetic data, ML evaluation (perception, prediction, planning), fleet operations analytics, and the data platform that supports them; translate that strategy into a 12–24 month roadmap with measurable milestones.
• Lead, grow, and develop a team of senior data scientists, ML engineers, and front-line managers; recruit from a small expert pool, calibrate the bar, and build a hiring brand.
• Partner with Engineering, Product, Safety, and Operations leaders to define release criteria, performance metrics, and ODD-expansion gates.
• Drive ML and analytics applications end-to-end: dataset curation, scenario coverage, modeling, offboard evaluation, productionization, and continuous monitoring of fleet performance in the wild.
• Establish measurement and experimentation standards across the company.
• Lead team-wide quality activities including design and code reviews.
• Track and trend technical performance of the autonomy stack in the field; surface root causes, prioritize fixes with engineering, and represent fleet-data findings to executives, regulators, and partners.
• Provide technical guidance to Engineering and Operations leaders on issue diagnosis, resolution, and the ML changes most likely to move our key safety and service metrics.
• Represent May Mobility's data science work externally where appropriate.

Skills and Abilities

• Autonomy Data Expertise: Can reason fluently about the data produced by a modern AV stack.
• Hands-On Technical Depth: Has personally shipped production ML or analytics systems within the last 3–5 years.
• Cross-Functional Translator: Can explain a complex ML or statistical finding to various audiences.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Uses fleet, simulation, and operational data to change roadmap decisions.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Builds durable working relationships with various leaders.
• Talent Magnet and Coach: Has personally hired and developed senior data scientists and front-line managers.
• Prioritization Rigor: Comfortable killing work that doesn't earn its place on the roadmap.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of industry experience in data science, machine learning, or applied research.
• At least 4 years managing senior individual contributors and front-line managers.
• Direct experience leading data science or ML work in domains like autonomous vehicles or ADAS.
• Demonstrated track record leading a team of 10 or more through a major delivery.
• Bachelor's degree in a related quantitative field or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong programming skills in Python; familiarity with production ML stack.
• Experience setting measurement and experimentation standards inside an engineering or product organization.
• Experience operating in cross-functional partnership with engineering, product, safety, and operations leaders.

Preferred

• Master's or PhD in a related quantitative field.
• Prior experience at an autonomous vehicle, robotics, or hard-tech company.
• Experience with simulation, synthetic data generation, or scenario-based evaluation for AV or robotics.
• Familiarity with safety-case construction or regulator engagement for autonomous systems.
• Publications or conference contributions in top-tier ML, CV, or robotics venues.
• Experience with C/C++ systems and/or GPU programming.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and grow junior managers and senior individual contributors.

Physical Requirements

• Standard office working conditions including prolonged sitting, standing, and computer use.
• Travel Required: Moderate: 11%–25% (site visits to deployment cities, partner meetings, recruiting events, and engineering offsites).

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare suite including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability plans.
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Healthcare and Dependent Care Accounts available.
• Rich retirement benefits, including an immediately vested employer safe harbor match.
• Generous paid parental leave as well as a phased return to work.
• Flexible vacation policy in addition to paid company holidays.
• Total Wellness Program providing numerous resources for overall wellbeing.

Salary Range

$217,000 - $312,000 USD