Data Scientist III

Responsibilities

A client with Kforce is seeking a Data Scientist III to join their team in San Diego, CA.Responsibilities:

• Owns the data and measurement foundation for the client's Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) program across the client: how our brands appear in AI-generated answers (ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and AI Mode, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity)
• Builds and maintains data pipelines that ingest AI-answer tracking data from vendor APIs, Google Search Console, and crawler logs into the enterprise warehouse (Databricks/Athena, BigQuery), with data quality monitoring and documentation
• Implements governed metric definitions (recommendation win rate, presence, favorability, share of voice, citation share, answer accuracy) as versioned warehouse views so every consumer computes them identically
• Builds and owns executive dashboards with automated weekly reads and noise flags. Designs and ships a data-access layer for the GEO data: an LLM plugin or connector plus the context documentation, metric definitions, and vetted query templates that let non-technical partners query the data through their AI assistant and get correct answers, including an evaluation set to verify accuracy over time
• Conducts deep-dive analyses (category-level presence changes, AI-answer interception of organic search, citation drivers, retrieval vs content diagnosis, model memory update timing) using rigorous methods, and communicates findings and testable recommendations in concise memos for marketing leadership
• Brings an informed, current point of view on how LLM search and answer engines work
• Engagement is build-heavy in the first 90 days and shifts toward analysis and thought leadership thereafter

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field required; Master's degree preferred
• 5+ years of combined data science and data engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated experience owning data products in production
• Advanced SQL (Presto/Athena, BigQuery, or Databricks SQL) and Python (pandas, API integration, scheduling/orchestration)
• Experience owning production data pipelines end to end, including monitoring and data quality; Applied data science judgment (experimental design, seasonality and noise handling, difference-in-differences comparisons, honest uncertainty communication); Executive dashboard development (Tableau, Looker, or equivalent) with metric governance
• Hands-on experience building or configuring LLM connectors, plugins, or MCP-style tools and writing the documentation and guardrails that make an assistant answer correctly; evaluation of LLM outputs
• Clear written communication for senior non-technical audiences

Preferred:

• GEO/AEO/SEO measurement experience (Search Console, crawlers and indexing, how AI Overviews, ChatGPT search, and Perplexity retrieve and cite sources)
• Semantic layer or metric store experience (dbt metrics, governed self-serve analytics)
• Text classification over unstructured content
• Marketing measurement background (attribution, MMM literacy, incrementality)
• Consumer fintech or tax domain familiarity

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.


We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.


Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.


This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.


Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.


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Kforce is a professional staffing services firm offering Technology and Finance & Accounting jobs with top employers nationwide. We specialize in providing contract, contract-to-hire and direct placement opportunities, with over 50 years of experience in the staffing industry. Kforce offers many consultants comprehensive benefits depending on employment status, including medical, dental, 401(K), life insurance and disability. Our vision is to be "the firm most respected by those we serve."