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Los Angeles Lakers hire data scientist for basketball operations

The El Segundo front office is searching for a data scientist to build predictive models for player evaluation, roster construction, and in-game strategy. While job seekers face a competitive market with a strict Python proficiency requirement, the franchise…

Los Angeles Lakers hire data scientist for basketball operations

The El Segundo front office is searching for a data scientist to build predictive models for player evaluation, roster construction, and in-game strategy. While job seekers face a competitive market with a strict Python proficiency requirement, the franchise offers a steady salary range between $100,000 and $115,000 annually for the full-time role.

Requirements and Qualifications for Basketball Operations

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in statistics, computer science, or a related field, alongside a minimum of three years of professional experience in a data science or machine learning role. The position demands hands-on expertise with Python for end-to-end model development and proficiency in handling large datasets via SQL or PySpark. Candidates must also feel comfortable working with complex information streams, including geolocation tracking data and biomechanical data.

The incoming data scientist will work out of the El Segundo office Monday through Friday, with travel requirements staying below 5 percent. Daily responsibilities include utilizing machine learning techniques to provide predictive power for basketball operations, partnering with the software development team to build data visualizations, and collaborating with data engineering to update existing metrics.

Compensation and Scheduling Realities

The position offers a concrete pay range of $100,000 to $115,000 per year, though the franchise determines final compensation based on an individual’s unique skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and internal pay parity. Beyond standard weekday hours, the role requires availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as reasonably demanded by the team’s schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific machine learning tools does the role require?

The position requires experience using modern machine learning and deep learning frameworks like scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and PyMC to build robust predictive models.

How much travel is required for the El Segundo data scientist position?

Travel is minimal for the role, capped at less than 5 percent of the time for occasional off-site events.

What departments will the data scientist collaborate with internally?

The data scientist will work alongside the software development team for data visualizations and applications, the data engineering team for data onboarding, and fellow data scientists across basketball operations.

About the author: Daniel Perez - News Editor

Former field producer and on‑air correspondent covering U.S. elections and Latin American politics. Daniel’s bilingual expertise powers our fast‑breaking coverage and live blogs. Daniel Perez anchors AchyNewsy.com’s real‑time news desk—breaking stories with accuracy, speed, and context.