Senior Data Scientist

Job Title: Senior Data Scientist (LLM / RAG Focus)Location: Arden Hills, MN (Hybrid – 3 days onsite)Job Description: Year Long Contract to PermPay Range: $71–$80 an hour or up to $163,000 a yearEligibility: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorshipPosition OverviewWe are seeking a Senior Data Scientist with deep expertise in production-level AI systems, specifically Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and Large Language Models (LLMs). This role will lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced data science and AI solutions that directly impact business performance, clinical workflows, and decision-making.This is a highly cross-functional role requiring strong technical depth, business acumen, and the ability to operate in regulated environments.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the design, development, and deployment of data science and AI/ML solutions, including LLM-powered systemsBuild and operate production-grade RAG systems, focusing on retrieval quality, orchestration, cost optimization, and observabilityDevelop and implement predictive models and advanced analytics to drive business outcomes (customer experience, revenue, operational efficiency)Mine and analyze large datasets to support product development, clinical insights, and business strategyDevelop custom data models, algorithms, and machine learning solutionsEvaluate and improve data sources, pipelines, and data qualityCollaborate with cross-functional teams (Clinical SMEs, Quality, IT/Security, Product, and Executive stakeholders) to translate business needs into technical solutionsMonitor and optimize model performance, ensuring scalability, accuracy, and complianceSupport and enhance data infrastructure, including cloud-based environments (AWS/Azure)Ensure data security and compliance, particularly in regulated or post-market environmentsContribute to intellectual property and innovation initiativesMentor junior team members and lead cross-functional projectsSpecialized Requirements Hands-on experience building and operating production RAG and LLM systems (not just experimentation or notebook work)Strong understanding of:Retrieval quality and evaluationSystem orchestration and architectureCost optimization strategiesObservability and monitoring of AI systemsExperience with evaluation frameworks in complex, high-cardinality classification problems, especially where:Labels overlapOutputs feed into regulated or clinical workflowsEmphasis is on SME alignment and error analysis, not just model accuracyAbility to work closely with clinical, quality, and technical stakeholders, translating feedback into system design improvementsStrong judgment in communicating trade-offs and risks, particularly in regulated environmentsQualificationsBachelor’s degree with 9+ years of experience, or Master’s degree with 6+ years of experienceStrong expertise in Python, SQL, and machine learning frameworksExperience with vector databases and modern AI architecturesHands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS and/or Azure)Proven ability to build and deploy scalable data and AI solutions in production environmentsCore CompetenciesTechnical ExpertiseDeep knowledge of data science, machine learning, and AI/LLM systemsAbility to design scalable, production-grade architecturesBusiness AcumenUnderstands how data and AI drive business outcomesAligns technical solutions with organizational goalsLeadershipMentors team members and leads cross-functional initiativesActs as a subject matter expertProblem SolvingSolves complex, ambiguous problems with innovative approachesApplies critical thinking across multiple data sources and constraintsCommunicationClearly explains complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholdersBuilds alignment across teams and functionsQuality & ComplianceEnsure adherence to all quality systems and regulatory requirementsIntegrate quality and compliance into all aspects of work