Sean Barnes

Ads Data Science & Engineering at Netflix

Los Angeles, California, United States

About

Multidisciplinary ML/AI and data science leader in the Content Production & Promotion Data Science & Engineering group at Netflix, now focused on the management and distribution of content on service. I have also worked as a Senior Analytics Engineer and Senior Data Scientist, supporting analytics and ML development for visual effects, post production, animation, and media management. Former tenure-track faculty member in the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. Research interests included infectious disease modeling, healthcare and sports analytics, agent-based and discrete-event simulation, machine learning, and data visualization. Teaching responsibilities included introduction to business analytics, simulation modeling, and data processing and analysis in Python courses. I've also worked as a senior data scientist for StoCastic, LLC, a healthcare analytics startup company focusing on developing data-driven decision support systems for hospital operations, and an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Federal Government.

Experience

  • Netflix (Full-time · 7 yrs)
    • Senior Data Scientist, Ads Data Science & Engineering
      Apr 2026 - Present · 3 mos

      I am working with a multidisciplinary tech team to develop an offline simulation platform for Netflix’s Ad Service. In addition to informing the development of the model itself, I will work to deliver analyses enabled by the simulation that help inform business and product strategy.

    • Manager, Content Management & Distribution Data Science and Engineering
      Aug 2022 - Mar 2026 · 3 yrs 8 mos

      Our team’s work focuses on distributing a variety of content types on service (e.g., video on demand, Live, short form), and enabling discovery for our members via a variety of analytics, data science, and ML/AI innovations. We cover both operational and creative excellence across the domains of launch operations, content metadata and maturity ratings, and content merchandising. We develop operational metrics, rigorous analyses, engaging dashboards and tools, and a variety of ML/AI capabilities ranging from predictive models to a variety of multimodal Gen AI applications.

    • Manager, Animation Data Science & Engineering
      Oct 2021 - Aug 2022 · 11 mos

      Our team provides data engineering, analytics engineering, and data science support for the Netflix Animation Studio, which includes close collaboration with Studio partners, our Animation Studio Technology Team, and other cross-functional partners. We operate at the unique intersection of data engineering, analytics, data science, and product development, all in the spirit of helping our creative partners focus on creating the best animated content for our members.

  • Course Instructor at DeepLearning.AI
    Jan 2024 - Jun 2025 · 1 yr 6 mos

    I developed and published the Data Analytics Professional Certificate course, launched in 2025, in partnership with the world renowned DeepLearning.AI team. I am rated as a Top Instructor on the platform with an average review of 4.8 stars and over 17,500 enrollments as of Nov. 2025.

  • Senior Data Scientist at StoCastic
    Aug 2016 - Aug 2019 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/stocastic/

  • Assistant Professor at University of Maryland
    Aug 2012 - Aug 2019 · 7 yrs 1 mo

    Research: Infectious disease modeling, healthcare analytics, sports analytics, agent-based modeling and simulation, machine learning, data visualization Teaching: Business analytics, simulation, data processing and analysis in Python

  • System Analyst & Data Scientist at U.S. Federal Government
    May 2004 - Aug 2012 · 8 yrs 4 mos

    As an intern (2004-2008) and full-time employee (2009-2012) with a TS/SCI security clearance, I conducted extensive background and technical research on worldwide developments of interest to senior officials, policymakers, and external customers. Achieved rank of GSE-12.