Principal Data Science/AI Product Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Data Science / AI Product Manager

Job Description

The Principal Data Science / AI Product Manager leads the vision, strategy, and delivery of advanced AI and machine learning product capabilities that power customer engagement and digital transformation across Commercial, Medical, and Government Affairs. This role defines and executes AI/ML product roadmaps, integrates intelligent features into key digital platforms, and ensures user-centric, ethical, and measurable impact through hyper-personalized customer experiences and proactive decision-making. Working closely with data science, engineering, IT, and product stakeholders, the Principal Product Manager serves as a trusted advisor who translates complex healthcare and business needs into scalable AI solutions that drive meaningful outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Drive the overarching AI and machine learning product vision and strategy for classical ML and generative AI solutions, creating intelligent, forward-looking features that support diverse use cases across the customer journey.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Data Science, Informatics/IT, Commercial Strategy, and other product leaders, to shape digital-first product roadmaps and maintain a prioritized, stack-ranked product backlog.
• Develop and own comprehensive AI product roadmaps grounded in deep user research, market trends, business value, and advanced analytics insights to deliver personalized, intelligent, and proactive user experiences.
• Collect and synthesize user feedback, real-world usage data, and market signals, including user acceptance testing results and model performance metrics, to refine product requirements and continuously enhance AI capabilities.
• Support the ideation, development, and launch of AI and ML-driven features that enable next-best actions, intelligent automation, and personalized recommendations, ensuring measurable impact for business users and customers.
• Clearly communicate the value proposition, status, and progress of AI and ML capabilities to internal stakeholders, maintaining alignment with user needs, enterprise priorities, and technical feasibility.
• Partner closely with sr AI product and technical leaders to develop robust business cases for new and enhanced AI/ML product capabilities that embed AI into integrated customer experience models.
• Identify and capitalize on emerging or unspoken customer needs by embedding AI and ML capabilities into digital platforms, shaping strategy, influencing enterprise direction, and accelerating digital transformation.
• Manage external U.S.-based and offshore consultants to ensure delivery of high-quality, scalable, and ethical AI solutions that integrate seamlessly with enterprise systems and platforms.
• Orchestrate collaboration across Commercial, Medical, Government Affairs, IT, and enterprise product teams to ensure integrated execution, responsible AI governance, and transformative outcomes at scale.
• Lead and oversee the entire Data Science and AI product lifecycle from ideation and strategy through market execution and post-launch optimization, ensuring comprehensive governance and measurable business results.
• Set and drive AI and ML product vision and strategy at the enterprise level, with a focus on transformative digital initiatives and integrated customer experience.
• Lead high-impact experimentation efforts, using data-driven insights to continuously innovate and improve AI and digital product offerings.
• Research AI and ML industry trends and incorporate relevant insights into product strategy and roadmaps to maintain a cutting-edge, competitive product portfolio.
• Write detailed technical product specifications and Product Requirements Documents, and present product concepts and plans effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Apply and promote agile methodologies such as Kanban and Scrum to drive AI/ML feature delivery, emphasizing user needs and measurable business impact.
• Innovate and foster experimentation to improve product capabilities, encouraging a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the product organization.
• Leverage robust knowledge of enterprise architectures and solutions, including SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS, to ensure AI products align with technology standards and scale effectively.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and company policies that govern business activities and the development and deployment of AI solutions.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in business, data science, engineering, or a related field.
• Approximately 8 years of combined experience in product management, data science, AI software development, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience with modern and classical machine learning and AI techniques, such as deep learning, natural language processing, and generative AI.
• Proficiency in at least one industry-standard programming language, such as Python, R, Scala, or SQL.
• Demonstrated experience writing detailed Product Requirements Documents and technical product specifications for AI and data-driven features.
• Proven ability to apply agile methodologies, including Kanban and Scrum, to manage backlogs and drive AI/ML feature delivery.
• Experience owning the full Data Science and AI product lifecycle from ideation and strategy through market execution and post-launch optimization.
• Track record of setting and driving AI and ML product vision and strategy at an enterprise level, particularly for transformative digital initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to engage, influence, and communicate effectively with sr leaders and executive stakeholders.
• Experience managing complex, multi-unit product roadmaps and integrating AI/ML initiatives across multiple business segments.
• Strong experience in leading high-impact experimentation and using data-driven insights to innovate and refine product offerings.
• Experience researching AI/ML industry trends and integrating those insights into product strategy and roadmaps.
• Ability to present effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, adapting communication style to stakeholder needs.
• Solid understanding of enterprise architectures and solutions, including SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS environments.
• Relevant certifications in product management, machine learning, data science, or closely related disciplines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced degree such as an M.S., MBA, or related graduate qualification with specialization in AI, data science, or product management.
• Experience working in healthcare, pharmaceutical, or other highly regulated industries.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and coach cross-functional teams and to lead by example through a practice-based apprenticeship model.
• Subject matter expertise in product management with a history of innovating and transforming digital product capabilities.
• Experience with tools and platforms used in citizen data science, automated analytics, and collaborative modeling environments.
• Familiarity with performance monitoring, platform scalability strategies, and cost optimization in data and AI platforms.
• Hands-on exposure to user research or design-thinking methodologies to improve data tool usability and effectiveness.
• Experience working within regulated environments and understanding the implications for AI and data-driven products.

Work Environment

This position is based on-site in South San Francisco, California. The role operates within a highly collaborative, innovation-focused environment where data analytics and AI are central to solving complex healthcare challenges and improving patient outcomes. Team members work closely with Commercial, Medical, and Government Affairs partners, as well as data science, engineering, IT, and enterprise product teams, using modern AI/ML technologies, programming languages such as Python, R, Scala, and SQL, and enterprise cloud solutions including SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS. The environment emphasizes ethical AI practices, responsible governance, and integration of analytics into evolving digital, data, and automation platforms. Standard business hours apply, with flexibility driven by project and stakeholder needs. Relocation assistance is not available for this role. The culture fosters inclusivity, integrity, creativity, and collaboration, with a strong focus on measurable impact, experimentation, and continuous learning.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of South San Francisco, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80.00 - $85.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in South San Francisco,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.