Data Scientist
Sway
Data Science
San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted on Apr 12, 2026
Data Scientist
SF
Engineering, Product, and Design
In office
Full-time
About Sway
We're building a tech platform to modernize representative democracy: turning social support into real political leverage. Instead of top-down campaigns, we're creating a viral, decentralized system where leadership flows through networks of trust.
We have an existing product (sway.co -- check it out!) that does what no other product on the market can do: allow socially influential leaders to prove their electoral leverage to specific elected representatives and compel politicians to act. Now we're moving into the 2026 midterms with a strong need for a fast, stable, and scalable platform.
About the Role
- Analyze and model our social graph to map networks of trust and accurately quantify electoral leverage.
- Design and deploy statistical models to enhance our user verification systems, ensuring the integrity of the network.
- Develop algorithms to identify viral growth patterns and optimize our distribution strategies.
- Collaborate directly with our engineering, product, and distribution teams to define core metrics, design rigorous experiments (A/B tests), and rapidly iterate on new ideas.
- Build out core data pipelines and dashboards using a modern data stack (Python, SQL, and relevant ML/analytics infrastructure) to empower the team with real-time insights.
- Work with a team who have (collectively) built multiple startups, led the development of consumer platforms used by millions, and graduated from top technical institutions.
- Help reinvent American democracy from the ground up.
You might be a great fit if you:
- Live in (or are ready to move to) San Francisco.
- Are excited to work with a small, mission-driven team. Our team works closely in-person 5 days a week—please only apply if this is feasible for you!
- Have experience with data analysis, statistical modeling, and machine learning using Python and SQL.
- Possess a strong mathematical and statistical modeling background, with the ability to build rigorous, custom models from scratch.
- Have experience building and shipping data products or models quickly but robustly, ideally in an early-stage startup context.
- Hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or previous equivalent experience.
- Are extremely motivated to learn and grow.
- Great communicator and team player -- our engineering team interfaces regularly with users to get feedback and drive product.
- Are passionate about working in a high-impact, government-related problem space.
Bonus: You’ve built a large project from scratch or started something yourself.
Bonus: Experience working with social graphs, network analysis, or consumer growth strategy.
What you’ll get
Competitive comp, flexible PTO, full benefits, and ground-floor equity in a company trying to reinvent political power.
Application Notes
If you don't have a resume, that's ok. Please apply anyway!
Req ID: R4