Data Scientist

Full-time

Description

U.S. Soccer Overview

The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.

We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of U.S.

U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitious plans for U.S. Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.

Department Overview

The Integrated Performance Support (IPS) department serves as the Federation’s performance function providing a unified, multidisciplinary approach that advances player availability, readiness, and competitive advantage on the global stage.

Position Description

The Data Scientist is primarily responsible for developing models and insights on top of both 2D player tracking and 3D skeletal player tracking data. The role will involve modeling player movement and working with both Coaching and Integrated Performance Support staff to understand this player movement in a tactical, performance and medical context. They will be required to have a basic understanding of modelling with large data sets and a basic understanding of human and object movement principles.

Primary Responsibilities

Player Movement Modeling & Applied Analytics

• Develop advanced models of player movement within a soccer-specific and competition-driven context.
• Translate 2D tracking and event data into tactical and interaction-based performance insights.
• Advance the Federation’s capabilities in 3D skeletal tracking and spatial modeling of player interactions.
• Model off-ball movement, defensive contribution, possession value, and contextual performance metrics.
• Integrate biomechanics and physics principles to enhance the interpretation of human movement patterns.

Integrated Performance Collaboration

• Partner with technical staff to contextualize movement data within tactical frameworks and game models.
• Collaborate with Sports Science and Performance staff to integrate tracking insights into load monitoring and readiness strategies.
• Work alongside Performance Medicine to support injury risk modeling, return-to-play benchmarks, and injury mitigation frameworks.
• Contribute to cross-disciplinary case management and shared performance planning processes.

Data Engineering & Productionization

• Work closely with Data Engineering to design storage solutions for 3D skeletal tracking data and deploy scalable, production-ready models on large and complex datasets.
• Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and performance reliability within high-stakes competitive environments.
• Support centralized performance data integration across National Team programs.

Performance Innovation & Research

• Support internal and external research initiatives in collaboration with the Performance Innovation team.
• Contribute to applied research that advances competitive advantage and global best practice.
• Continuously explore new methodologies in player tracking, spatial modeling, and performance analytics.
• Benchmark analytical approaches against leading international federations and elite sport environments.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Significant experience working with large-scale datasets, particularly those involving human or object movement in dynamic environments.
• Demonstrated experience modeling, estimating, and analyzing movement trajectories.
• Advanced proficiency in data science programming languages such as Python or R.
• Advanced capability in querying, building, and optimizing SQL-based databases.
• Experience working within cloud-based data architecture environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, Databricks).
• Proven ability to train, validate, and deploy machine learning models in production environments.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions, influence stakeholders, and drive high-quality outcomes.
• Ability to execute with precision under pressure in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission.
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).
• Willingness and availability to work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, as required in elite sport environments.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Physics or a related quantitative field, or strong applied foundation in physical modeling principles.
• Strong understanding of soccer performance and the broader U.S. soccer landscape.
• Experience working within a professional sporting organization or sports technology company.
• Experience working with optical or tracking-based player movement datasets.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with coaching staff and translating complex analytical outputs into concise, actionable insights.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage data collection, planning, and cross-functional coordination.
• Coaching and/or playing experience in soccer preferred.
• Bilingual proficiency (Spanish or additional languages preferred).
• Working knowledge of U.S. Soccer’s mission, technical framework, and performance objectives.

U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.

U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.