Staff Applied Scientist

Garner’s mission is to transform the healthcare economy, delivering high-quality and affordable care for all. We are fundamentally reimagining how healthcare works in the U.S. by partnering with employers to redesign healthcare benefits using clear incentives and powerful, data-driven insights. Our approach guides employees to higher-quality, lower-cost care, creating a system that works better for everyone. Patients achieve better health outcomes, employers spend healthcare dollars more effectively, and physicians are rewarded for delivering exceptional care rather than performing more procedures. Garner is one of the fastest-growing healthcare technology companies in the country. Our products are trusted by the most sophisticated employers and providers in the industry, and we are building a team of talented, mission-driven individuals who are motivated to make a meaningful impact on healthcare at scale. About the role We are seeking an exceptional Staff Applied Scientist to build the algorithmic systems that power Garner. These systems determine how we evaluate providers, make recommendations, and optimize for outcomes across cost, quality, and access. You will be responsible for turning ambiguous, real-world problems into systems that deliver measurable impact, defining the objective functions, metrics, and logic that drive our product. You will own these systems end-to-end, from problem definition through production and ongoing performance. Where you will work This role will be based in our New York City office. You must be willing to work in the office 3 days per week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. What you will do Own the design, performance, and evolution of the algorithms that power Garner’s core systems Turn messy, real-world healthcare and business constraints into clear optimization problems, scoring systems, and decision frameworks Develop objective functions and metrics that balance quality, cost, access, and member experience Evaluate system performance, run experiments, and refine logic based on real-world outcomes Apply machine learning, optimization, heuristics, or rules-based approaches based on what best solves the problem Work closely with engineering to deploy systems that are scalable, interpretable, and resilient Build a deep understanding of the healthcare economy The ideal candidate has 3+ years of experience shipping data-driven algorithms to production A bias toward action, quickly translating ideas into working prototypes to test approaches Strong applied problem-solving skills, with the ability to define good metrics and then deliver solutions that improve them Strong judgment in choosing between statistical models, heuristics, optimization approaches, and simpler algorithmic methods depending on the problem Strong communication skills and the ability to synthesize complex algorithmic ideas for business and technical stakeholders A desire to be a part of a high-performing, mission-driven team that operates with urgency, a strong sense of individual accountability, and a commitment to authentic feedback Technologies we use Python, SQL, AWS, Snowflake, pandas, XGBoost Why this role This is a unique opportunity to work on high-impact search problems in healthcare, helping shape how members find better care through algorithmic systems that directly influence healthcare outcomes. Please note: we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Compensation Transparency The target salary range for this position is $260,000 - $382,000. Individual compensation for this role will depend on various factors, including qualifications, skills, and applicable laws. In addition to base compensation, this role is eligible to participate in our equity incentive and competitive benefits plans, including but not limited to: flexible PTO, Medical/Dental/Vision plan options, 401(k) with company match, flexible spending accounts, Teladoc Health and more. Fraud and Security Notice: