Sr/staff data scientist (remote - us)

Be part of a team that values safety, inclusion, and excellence. We are one of the largest U.S. railroads transporting the nation’s freight across 28 western states and 3 Canadian provinces. As a member of our team, you will play a role in supporting the movement of essential products and materials that help feed, clothe, supply, and power communities throughout America and the world.

BNSF | Tech: Innovating and transforming the future of freight rail. BNSF | Tech is the technology division making BNSF the preeminent freight and mobility company in North America. Are you ready to drive change? If you are passionate about making a difference and eager to advance your career in a dynamic and supportive environment, we want you on our team! Join us in reshaping the future of freight rail and discover a fulfilling career where your contributions matter. We are committed to a culture where all employees are included, belong, and have equal opportunity to achieve their full potential. Come make a difference with us!

Learn more about BNSF and our Benefits.

Job Location: REMOTE

Anticipated Start Date: 07/01/2026

The US base salary range for this full-time position is provided below:

Salary Range: $165,000-$300,000

L5: $165,000 - $220,000

L6: $225,000 - $300,000

The range represents the amount BNSF | Tech reasonably expects to pay for the position based on the level, scope, and responsibilities of the role. Individual compensation and level of position offered is determined by the hiring location and additional factors including but not limited to job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

In addition to base pay and bonus eligibility, BNSF offers a comprehensive benefits package. This is a full-time remote position. Employees may work from anywhere within the contiguous 48 states of the United States. Travel is up to 20%. Employees will be required to occasionally travel to our corporate headquarters in Fort Worth, TX for in-person meetings. Travel expenses for business needs will be covered by BNSF.

This position is open to candidates who are currently authorized to work in the United States. We are also open to sponsoring H-1B transfers, TN nonimmigrant status, and STEM OPT candidates with at least 2 years of remaining eligibility. Apply early as this job may be removed or filled prior to the closing date, which is approximately seven (7) days after the posting date.

Data & AI: Lead our charge into the future as an AI company by transforming our data assets into a real-time enterprise. Key responsibilities may include:

• Lead cross-functional collaboration to identify and define analytic initiatives, formulate strategies, and develop solutions to achieve business goals through effective use of data machine learning models.
• Apply data science skills to analyze large, complex datasets and identify meaningful patterns that lead to actionable insights and data-driven solutions to business problems.
• Lead the development and deployment of advanced machine learning models to forecast outcomes and optimize workflows.
• Engage closely with stakeholders to grasp their requirements and deliver actionable insights that drive strategic decision-making.
• Design and present compelling visualizations and reports to effectively communicate analytical findings.
• Oversee the maintenance and enhancement of data pipelines to uphold data quality and precision.
• Keep abreast of emerging trends and breakthroughs in data science and machine learning fields.
• Proficiently extract, aggregate, and transform data from SQL and NoSQL databases, leveraging languages like R, Python, or other relevant tools for analysis and modeling.
• Build, test, and validate statistical, and machine learning models and analyses using Python, R, or other appropriate language as part of overall solution development.
• Lead implementation of analytic solutions into reporting platforms or production systems by leading the solution design, development, testing, and monitoring.
• Demonstrate operational excellence by monitoring, troubleshooting, and resolving production issues, including participating in a 24/7 on-call rotation.

The duties and responsibilities in this posting are representative categories to be used in deciding whether to apply for this position. This is not an exhaustive list of the position’s duties.

At BNSF Railway, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, showcasing their skills, experiences and development. We provide resources and tools to help you reach your full potential, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum 6 years of experience with building optimization algorithms or relevant experience.
• Advanced proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, SQL, and Java.
• Demonstrated expertise in utilizing data visualization tools to communicate insights clearly and effectively.
• In-depth experience with data science cloud platforms and their integration into business solutions.
• Exceptional intellectual curiosity and a proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment.
• Track record of rapidly acquiring new technical skills and adapting to cutting-edge technologies.
• Strong communication skills to articulate technical concepts to diverse audiences with clarity and professionalism.
• Deep understanding and application of statistical analysis and advanced machine learning techniques.
• Must understand and have proficiency in the core architecture of LLMs (e.g., transformers and attention mechanisms).
• Experience with prompt engineering techniques, including chain-of-thought prompting, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), fine-tuning of language models, and evaluation methodologies.
• Experience with Vector Databases and embeddings.
• Experience with Model Fine-tuning.
• Experience with GPU optimization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Operations Research, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering or a related field. Ph.D is a plus.
• Knowledge of geospatial analytics, route optimization, and GIS concepts.
• Previous hands-on experience with AI/Machine Learning frameworks and tools, showcasing innovative solutions.
• Extensive background in Rail, Shipping, Airline, Logistics, Warehousing, Supply Chain, or Transportation industries, or in the High-Tech sector.
• Proficiency in leveraging open-source libraries and frameworks to drive data science initiatives.
• Seasoned in Agile methodologies like Scrum, Kanban, or SAFe for efficient project management and delivery at a senior level.

At BNSF, you will have access to a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including: An industry-leading 401(k) and renowned Railroad Retirement program. A range of robust health care options for you and your dependents (including domestic partners), including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, mental health, cancer support, and high-quality care network options. Health care spending accounts (HSA) with employer contributions, as well as life and disability insurance, provided at no cost. Family benefits including parental, pediatric and family building support, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, and dependent care spending account (with employer match). Access to discounts on travel, gym memberships, counseling services and wellness support. Annual bonus (Incentive Compensation Program) Generous leave / time off policies.

For more information, visit Benefits.

Federal authority requires BNSF employees, whose work requires unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities, to obtain a TWIC. More information is available at https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic.

BNSF Railway is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.