Machine Learning Scientist, Pricing (Open to Remote)

The Data Science team at Penguin Random House is seeking a Machine Learning Scientists to build and improve machine learning products that power how we understand demand, set strategy, and connect readers with books, with a focus on pricing. In this role, you’ll use rich datasets to build sophisticated models that help price books for the market. Our pricing products model market response to optimize revenue while mitigating risks to sales and brands. As the world’s leading publishing house, Penguin Random House is AI-forward and continues to invest in modern machine learning to shape the future of book discovery, sales, and customer engagement. Our Data Science team applies ML across personalization, forecasting, pricing, and experimentation, and we actively explore emerging AI capabilities to meaningfully improve customer experiences. This role spans the ML lifecycle; from problem framing and prototyping to production and iteration, with a strong emphasis on building robust, maintainable software and using modern AI tools thoughtfully to accelerate development. Specific responsibilities include:

• Owns the ML lifecycle: Frames problems, prototypes solutions, validates performance, and iterates based on measurement and feedback.
• Applies sound statistical and ML practices for feature development, training, evaluation, validation, and maintenance.
• Defines success metrics and uses offline evaluation plus online experimentation (including A/B tests) to validate performance, monitor quality over time, and drive ongoing iteration.
• Partners with engineering and platform counterparts to productionize models, including repeatable training, deployment workflows, monitoring, and refresh strategies.
• Diagnoses model performance issues and data quality problems; communicates findings and recommended actions clearly to stakeholders.
• Writes maintainable, production-minded code and contributes to team standards (code review, documentation, reproducibility, and testing where appropriate).
• Stays current on applied ML and uses modern AI tools to accelerate exploration, questioning, and implementation without sacrificing quality. Please apply if you meet the following qualifications:
• Master’s with 2+ years of applied work experience OR PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Engineering, Operations Research, Statistics or a related quantitative field
• Strong proficiency in Python and common ML frameworks and libraries (for example PyTorch or TensorFlow).
• Strong SQL skills and experience working with large datasets for feature development, analysis, and validation.
• Experience taking models from development to production (batch scoring, APIs, or downstream integration).
• Solid understanding of experimentation and measurement.
• Proficiency with the latest AI tools to develop well-designed and robust software.
• Strong communication skills and ability to translate between business goals and technical solutions.
• Familiarity with cloud and modern data/ML tooling (AWS, Databricks, Docker, Kubernetes, Spark, or similar).
• Exposure to MLOps concepts and tooling (model registries, pipelines, monitoring, reproducibility). Preferred qualifications: We welcome candidates with depth in either (or both) of these applied ML areas:
• Experience with time series forecasting, causal/market-response modeling, optimization, or risk-aware modeling.
• Familiarity with automated model retraining, monitoring, and long-running model maintenance.
• Familiarity with experimentation, measurement, and online evaluation. Please be advised that candidates selected to advance to the 1st round of interviews will be required to show photo ID on camera, and final interviews for this role will be in person at a Penguin Random House location. The salary range for this position is $130,000 - $175,000. All positions are currently eligible for an annual profit award or bonus, subject to company results. Applications for this role will be accepted through March 1, 2026 or until the role is filled. We encourage you to apply early, as we review applications on a rolling basis. Please include your resume and cover letter for consideration. Before applying for any role at Penguin Random House, we recommend you review our applicant resources page and our FAQs page. Penguin Random House job postings include a good faith compensation range for each open position. The salary range listed is specific to each particular open position and takes into account various factors including the specifics of the individual role, and candidate's relevant experience and qualifications. Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Student Loan Repay

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