Associate Principal Data Scientist, Player Experience Analytics
Rockstar Games · Manhattan, NY
- On site
- Full-time
- $161,800 / year
- Manhattan, NY
Job highlights
- Develop detection systems for player safety.
- Analyze player behavior and community health.
- Protect millions of players with ML models.
- Ensure regulatory compliance and policy input.
- Mentor junior data scientists and drive best practices.
About the role
Associate Principal Data Scientist, Player Experience Analytics
At Rockstar Games, we create world-class entertainment experiences. Become part of a team working on some of the most rewarding, large-scale creative projects to be found in any entertainment medium - all within an inclusive, highly-motivated environment where you can learn and collaborate with some of the most talented people in the industry.
Rockstar is on the lookout for an experienced Data Scientist to join our Analytics team to scale our Game Security and Trust & Safety capabilities. In this role, you'll develop sophisticated detection systems, establish community safety metrics, and leverage advanced analytics to protect our player communities through data visualization, anomaly detection, supervised learning, and community health measurement.
This is a full-time, in-office position based out of Rockstar’s NYC headquarters in Downtown Manhattan.
What We Do
- Partner with Trust & Safety and Game Security teams to conduct high-impact projects that shape player safety policies, inform strategy, and ensure regulatory compliance (GDPR, DSA, OSA).
- Develop detection systems, advanced analytics models (graph analytics, NLP), and scalable machine learning applications protecting millions of players.
Responsibilities
- Drive complex investigations and data-driven strategies addressing cheating, griefing, toxicity, and harassment at scale.
- Develop and automate detection solutions for cheats, exploits, and violations with Game Security team.
- Serve as subject matter expert on Trust & Safety metrics, regulatory compliance, and transparency reporting.
- Design sophisticated detection systems balancing player safety with user experience using rule-based and ML approaches.
- Translate complex analytical findings into actionable insights for technical and non-technical audiences, including executives.
- Establish and monitor Trust & Safety and Anti-Cheat KPIs with dashboards enabling data-driven decisions.
- Mentor junior team members and advance analytical best practices.
Requirements
- Bachelor's in STEM field (Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics); advanced degree preferred.
- 5+ years in data science/analytics with expertise in Security, Anti-Cheat, Trust & Safety, or related domains.
- Strong SQL proficiency with large-scale databases.
- Advanced Python, PySpark, and data science tools (numpy, pandas, scikit-learn) in cloud production environments.
- Required expertise in one: graph analytics for coordinated behavior, NLP for content moderation/toxicity, or network analysis for community safety.
- Experience with Trust & Safety metrics, transparency reporting, and regulatory frameworks (GDPR, DSA, OSA).
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills with ability to influence executive strategy.
- Expert data storytelling—translating sophisticated analytics into clear narratives driving policy decisions.
- Strategic thinking balancing player safety, user experience, and business objectives.
- Passion for creating safe, inclusive gaming communities.
PLUSES
- Trust & Safety and/or Anti-Cheat experience at gaming, social media, or UGC platforms.
- Real-time detection systems and streaming analytics experience.
- Advanced ML Techniques (Transformers, LLMs, GenAI) for content moderation.
- Graph analytics for coordinated behavior detection.
- Published research or thought leadership in Trust & Safety, content moderation, or online community safety.
- Experience with big data technologies (PySpark) and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure, Databricks).
- Multilingual capabilities or experience with non-English content moderation challenges.
How To Apply
Please apply with a CV and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the skills above. If we would like to move forward with your application, a Rockstar recruiter will reach out to you to explain next steps and guide you through the process.
Rockstar is committed to creating a work environment that promotes equal opportunity, dignity and respect. In line with this commitment, Rockstar will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process in order for such applicants to be considered for the position for which they are applying, as well as to qualified employees to enable them to perform the essential functions of their roles. If you need more information about Rockstar’s reasonable accommodation policies or process, or need to request an accommodation, please notify your recruiter during the interview process.
If you’ve got the right skills for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from all suitable candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief, race, or any other protected category.
Compensation
The pay range for this position in New York State (inclusive of New York City) at the start of employment is expected to be between the range below* per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.
Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
NY Base Pay Range
$121,400—$161,800 USD
Key skills/competency
- Data Science
- Player Experience Analytics
- Game Security
- Trust & Safety
- Machine Learning
- NLP
- Graph Analytics
- SQL
- Python
- Data Storytelling
Skills & topics
- Data Scientist
- Analytics
- Player Experience
- Game Security
- Trust & Safety
- Machine Learning
- NLP
- Graph Analytics
- SQL
- Python
- Data Storytelling
- Big Data
- Cloud Computing
- Regulatory Compliance
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 5+ years of data science experience in Security, Anti-Cheat, or Trust & Safety. Emphasize SQL, Python, PySpark, and specific ML expertise (NLP, graph analytics).
- Craft a strong cover letter: Clearly demonstrate how your skills align with the requirements, particularly your experience with Trust & Safety metrics and influencing executive strategy.
- Showcase your expertise: Prepare to discuss complex investigations, data-driven strategies, and your ability to translate analytical findings into actionable insights for diverse audiences.
- Prepare for technical and behavioral questions: Brush up on graph analytics, NLP, or network analysis, and be ready to discuss your passion for creating safe gaming communities and your mentoring experience.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What specific technical skills are most critical for the Associate Principal Data Scientist role at Rockstar Games?
- The most critical technical skills for the Associate Principal Data Scientist position at Rockstar Games include strong SQL proficiency with large-scale databases, advanced Python and PySpark, and expertise in data science tools like numpy, pandas, and scikit-learn within cloud production environments. Additionally, required expertise in graph analytics, NLP, or network analysis is essential for developing detection systems and protecting player communities.
- How does Rockstar Games approach regulatory compliance for its player experience analytics?
- Rockstar Games partners with Trust & Safety and Game Security teams to ensure high-impact projects align with regulatory compliance, including GDPR, DSA, and OSA. The Associate Principal Data Scientist will serve as a subject matter expert on these regulatory frameworks and contribute to transparency reporting.
- What is the expected career growth for an Associate Principal Data Scientist at Rockstar Games?
- While the job description doesn't explicitly detail a career ladder, the role includes mentoring junior team members and advancing analytical best practices, suggesting opportunities for leadership and knowledge sharing. Success in this role could lead to Principal Data Scientist or management positions within the Analytics or Trust & Safety teams.
- What types of data will an Associate Principal Data Scientist at Rockstar Games work with?
- An Associate Principal Data Scientist will work with large-scale databases to analyze player behavior, community health, and identify patterns related to cheating, griefing, toxicity, and harassment. This includes data for developing detection systems, anomaly detection, and community safety metrics.
- Can I apply for the Associate Principal Data Scientist role if I have experience in social media Trust & Safety?
- Yes, experience in Trust & Safety or Anti-Cheat, particularly at gaming, social media, or UGC platforms, is listed as a 'PLUS' and is highly desirable. While not strictly required, it would significantly strengthen your application for the Associate Principal Data Scientist position.
- What is the work environment like for a Data Scientist at Rockstar Games NYC?
- The role is a full-time, in-office position at Rockstar's NYC headquarters in Downtown Manhattan. The environment is described as inclusive, highly-motivated, and collaborative, offering opportunities to work on large-scale creative projects with talented individuals.
- How does Rockstar Games balance player safety with user experience in its analytics?
- The Associate Principal Data Scientist is responsible for designing sophisticated detection systems that carefully balance player safety with user experience, utilizing both rule-based and ML approaches. Strategic thinking is key to balancing player safety, user experience, and business objectives.