Data Scientist

On is a globally recognized leader in innovative sportswear and footwear, dedicated to redefining the boundaries of athletic performance and lifestyle products. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, technological advancement, and customer-centricity, On has established itself as a pioneer in the industry. The company’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its cutting-edge designs, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, and a passionate team that strives to deliver products that inspire and empower athletes and consumers worldwide. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, On maintains a dynamic presence across key markets, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous growth.

About The Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Data Scientist specializing in Personalization and Customer Algorithms to lead our strategic efforts in customer modeling at On. In this role, you will set the vision and direction for personalization initiatives, architecting scalable machine learning solutions that deliver measurable business impact. You will operate at the intersection of technology, product management, and commercial strategy, translating complex data science concepts into actionable insights and innovative algorithms. Your leadership will influence the development of both batch and real-time models, ensuring they are deployed in well-governed production environments that adhere to best practices in MLOps and algorithmic quality assurance.

This role requires a strategic thinker with a proven track record of leading large-scale initiatives, collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, and mentoring data science talent. You will partner closely with product managers and external technology partners to understand core business challenges and develop solutions that enhance customer experiences across digital touchpoints. Your expertise will drive the adoption of emerging technologies, including Generative AI, to accelerate engineering workflows and improve personalization capabilities. As a core technical authority, you will establish standards for real-time model training, deployment, and maintenance, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation within the organization.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in building and deploying personalization engines, recommendation systems, and customer-level predictive models within fast-paced D2C or e-commerce environments.
• Proficiency in Python and modern machine learning libraries such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, and JAX.
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms like Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• Expertise in event-driven architectures, including Kafka and streaming data processing.
• Strong knowledge of end-to-end MLOps practices, including model training, deployment, monitoring, and validation.
• Experience in deploying Generative AI solutions for customer applications and engineering workflows.
• Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills, capable of explaining complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, influence senior leadership, and foster collaboration across teams.

• Define and communicate the strategic vision for personalization and customer-level algorithms aligned with On’s broader commercial objectives.
• Lead the design, development, and deployment of scalable batch and real-time machine learning models in production environments.
• Partner with Product Management and external technology partners to translate business challenges into effective algorithmic solutions.
• Ensure models deliver measurable impact on key KPIs and enhance customer experiences across digital channels.
• Evaluate and adopt emerging commercial technologies and partner platforms to stay at the forefront of innovation.
• Break down complex data science architectures and machine learning concepts for cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Establish standards and best practices for real-time model training, MLOps infrastructure, and algorithmic quality assurance.
• Mentor and develop data science and engineering talent, fostering a culture of continuous learning and high technical standards.
• Lead experimentation efforts, including A/B testing and feedback loops, to validate model performance and customer impact.

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, and mental health support.
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and certifications.
• Inclusive and diverse work environment that values innovation and collaboration.
• Global mobility and relocation support where applicable.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and tools to foster creativity and innovation.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees and applicants are treated with fairness and respect. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe diversity enhances our creativity and drives our success, and we are dedicated to creating a workplace that reflects and celebrates the diverse communities we serve.