Senior Data Scientist

Veikkaus is embarking on its most significant transformation yet. As we prepare for the opening of the Finnish licensing market in 2027 and rapidly expand our international presence, data and AI are at the absolute core of our strategy.

We are now looking for a Senior Data Scientist to lead the development of advanced personalization and recommendation models. In this key role within our AI Capabilities team, you will design and implement machine learning solutions that enhance customer experience across our digital channels and drive measurable business impact. You will also act as a senior mentor and technical counselor for other data scientists, setting standards for model development, evaluation, and deployment.

This is full-time, permanent position and located at Veikkaus headquarters in Pohjois-Haaga, Helsinki. To foster collaboration and effective teamwork we work in a hybrid model with three on-site days per week. Please note that this job requires a valid residence permit for all non-EU citizens.

Your responsibilities will include (but are not limited to)

• Design, build, and optimize production-grade recommendation engines and personalization models
• Develop algorithms for dynamic content ranking, cross-sell/up-sell, churn prediction, and personalized player journeys in a responsible gaming context
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to integrate models into real-time serving environments
• Mentor and guide other data scientists in best practices, code quality, model architecture, and problem-solving.
• Drive the adoption of MLOps practices (CI/CD for ML, model monitoring, feature stores) to ensure scalable and reliable AI operations
• Design and analyze rigorous A/B tests and experiments to quantify model performance and business impact
• Translate business goals into technical metrics and actionable data science problems
• Explore and pilot novel approaches, including the use of Generative AI for content creation or enhancing recommendation logic

This role is for you if you

have extensive experience (5+ years) in data science and a master’s or PhD degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field. You have a strong focus on building and deploying recommendation systems or personalization solutions in production environments (e.g., e-commerce, gaming, media).

We also need you to have:

• Strong programming skills in Python and solid experience with modern ML frameworks (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow)
• Deep understanding of machine learning algorithms and techniques (e.g., matrix factorization, neural networks for recommendations, reinforcement learning, causal inference)
• Good SQL skills and experience working with large-scale data in cloud environments (e.g. Snowflake/BigQuery)
• Familiarity with MLOps concepts and tools (e.g., model versioning, CI/CD for ML, monitoring; experience with Azure/AWS/GCP is a plus)
• Strong business acumen and the ability to link technical work to business KPIs.

You have excellent problem-solving skills and a proactive, "can-do" attitude. You’ve also supported the growth of junior and mid-level data scientists through mentoring and coaching and have proven experience leading technical initiatives. You have excellent communication skills in English (both oral and written) and you can explain complex data insights and model behavior clearly to business stakeholders.

We consider as an advantage if you have

• Experience in the gambling or gaming industry
• Knowledge of Responsible Gaming principles and how to apply them in AI models
• Experience with Generative AI (LLMs) and its applications in personalization
• Understanding of AI governance and ethical AI practices

We offer:

• A workplace where the game evolves - and so do you. You’ll face meaningful challenges and gain new skills while contributing to shared success - in Finland and beyond. We value curiosity and create space for it to thrive.
• Inspiring and supportive teammates you can rely on. The best ideas and world-class entertainment are built together - and Veikkaus thrives because of its people.
• Balanced and inspiring work life. At Veikkaus, we believe a good job adds something to life - but isn’t all there is to it.
• Innovation: Be part of a forward-thinking team that is actively exploring GenAI and modern MLOps.
• Excellent employee benefits. You can read more about us and our benefits from here.

It is important to us that everyone can come to work as their authentic selves. We value diverse backgrounds, skills, and perspectives, and believe that success comes from working in diverse teams. We encourage individuals from various backgrounds to apply for our jobs.

Interested?

Awesome! Please send your application with CV and salary request no later than 30.11.2026. We are excited to hear from you!

For any inquiries about the position don't hesitate to contact Miki Sulander, Head of Analytics via email ([email protected]).

A drug test under Section 7 of the Act on the Protection of Privacy in Working Life (759/2004) will be conducted for the selected candidate