Lead Data Scientist

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Team:

The Product Quality Analytics team operates within the Global Quality, Safety, Sustainability and Regulatory Compliance organization and provides data, analytics, insights, and data-driven decision support across Mattel brands.

The team is responsible for delivering trusted reporting, interactive dashboards, and advanced analytics that help the organization understand product performance, consumer feedback, safety trends, and risk indicators. These insights support product development, corrective action effectiveness, and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring Mattel delivers the highest-quality products to consumers worldwide.

The Opportunity: 

We are seeking a Lead Data Scientist to drive advanced analytics and AI initiatives within our Product Quality Analytics organization. This role sits at the intersection of data science, product quality, and business strategy, and is responsible for leading high impact initiatives that transform complex data into scalable insights and intelligent systems.

You will own the end-to-end lifecycle of data science solutions, from problem framing and modeling to deployment and adoption, while influencing stakeholders and mentoring team members. This is a highly visible role with the opportunity to shape how analytics and AI are embedded into quality decision making across the enterprise.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

Leadership and Strategy

• Lead the design and execution of advanced analytics and machine learning initiatives aligned to product quality and consumer insights
• Partner with key stakeholders to define high value business problems and translate them into scalable data science solutions
• Act as a thought leader in AI and machine learning, driving adoption of modern techniques including generative AI, natural language processing, and predictive modeling

Modeling and Analytics

• Develop and deploy models such as classification, forecasting, anomaly detection, natural language processing, and causal inference
• Apply statistical techniques such as regression, time series analysis, and experimentation to solve complex business challenges
• Build frameworks for early signal detection, quality risk prediction, and root cause analysis

Productionization and Implementation

• Collaborate with data engineering to productionize models using Google Cloud Platform tooling such as Agent Platform, Cloud Run, and Dataform
• Contribute to scalable data products and pipelines that enable self service analytics
• Ensure models are monitored, maintained, and continuously improved with an MLOps mindset

Collaboration and Cross Functional Partnership

• Partner with data engineering, analytics, and business teams to align on priorities, data needs, and solution design
• Work across teams to ensure data consistency, shared understanding of metrics, and scalable solutions
• Bridge technical and non technical stakeholders by communicating clearly and driving adoption of data science solutions

What We’re Looking For:

Education and Experience

• Degree in Data Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field
• 5 or more years of experience in data science with demonstrated ownership of end to end projects
• Experience leading projects or mentoring team members in a formal or informal capacity

Technical Skills

• Strong programming skills in Python or R
• Advanced SQL and experience working with large scale datasets
• Experience with machine learning frameworks
• Familiarity with cloud platforms, preferably Google Cloud (BigQuery, Vertex AI)
• Experience working with unstructured data such as documents, videos, or images is a strong plus

Analytical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of statistical modeling techniques including regression, experimentation, and forecasting
• Experience with A B testing, causal inference, and predictive modeling
• Strong problem solving skills with the ability to connect data insights to business strategy
• Experience with prompt and context engineering
• Experience with agentic workflows and platforms

Business and Communication

• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive decisions through data
• Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify complex topics
• Comfortable working in ambiguous and fast paced environments
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

*The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential. 

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees, and our culture. Also, interested in signing up for job alerts? Do so here!

How We Work:
We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are:
Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Corporate Philanthropy