Applied Scientist, Basketball Analytics

Phoenix Suns • Full-time • Phoenix, AZ, US • 3w ago

Performance Center

Phoenix, AZ

Job Summary

At Player 15 Group, we aren't just building a team; we're crafting a legacy. We’re a collective of visionaries who consistently put people first, knowing that true greatness is forged through shared passion and purpose. Service focused to our core, we’re driven by an insatiable desire to innovate and elevate every experience. Our strength lies in unity, where diverse talents converge to achieve extraordinary feats, and we infuse every endeavor with genuine joy. Here, a relentless pursuit of growth isn't just encouraged — it's the very air we breathe. If you're ready to transcend expectations, unlock unparalleled potential, and dedicate your energy to something truly special, your moment to make an indelible mark on the future of sports and live entertainment starts now.

The mission of our Basketball Applied Science team is to transform complex data into actionable insights and cutting-edge analysis — empowering the organization with a competitive edge that fuels our march to championships.

The Applied Scientist will execute and contribute to high-impact analytics projects spanning our data workflow—from data cleaning to feature engineering, research, model development, deployment, and delivery of insights to basketball operations stakeholders.

Core Responsibilities

Conduct thorough basketball-related research
Build statistically rigorous models
Innovate in computer vision and spatiotemporal space
Define data requirements; partner with DB Engineering for delivery
Package model outputs; hand off to Software Engineering for web integration
Develop maintain, and deploy Python libraries, scripts, and dashboards
Create data visualizations and written reports for stakeholders

Skills & Qualifications

Minimum of 1-5 years of professional applied-science experience (sports analytics is a plus)
Expert in Python (pandas scikit-learn, TensorFlow/PyTorch, OpenCV) & SQL
Hands-on experience with AWS (S3, Lambda, SageMaker) and Snowflake is a plus
Strong background in statistics/mathematics/research science
Excellent written & verbal communication
Self-starter with high integrity; thrives in a collaborative environment with minimal supervision
Bachelors in STEM or related field preferred (advanced degree is a plus)

Player 15 Group is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.

Please note this job description is not crafted to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact the People & Culture Recruiting team at recruiting@suns.com