Staff Data Scientist

About the Role

Join as a Staff Data Scientist and steer the machine learning technical strategy throughout our travel-focused business. This senior individual contributor role involves resolving the toughest ML challenges while advancing the technical capabilities of your team. You'll remain deeply involved in developing scalable, production-ready models that serve millions of users, besides guiding strategy, mentoring colleagues, and driving the company's AI innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, creation, and deployment of impactful machine learning models solving complex issues such as ranking, recommendations, forecasting, pricing, and churn analysis.
• Establish and uphold best practices for modeling, experimentation, MLOps, and code quality, shaping technical standards for the Data Science division.
• Mentor and influence data scientists by reviewing models and designs, enhancing overall team output quality and effectiveness.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, product teams, and leadership to identify ML opportunities that maximize commercial impact and help define long-term strategies.
• Adopt and integrate cutting-edge AI tools and techniques into machine learning projects and daily workflows.
• Maintain hands-on involvement in building and continuously improving scalable ML systems from inception through deployment and monitoring.

About the Team

You will be part of an experienced Data Science group within the Business Intelligence organization, working alongside Data Scientists, Analysts, and Data Engineers. This newly introduced senior position offers the chance to influence both the team's culture and technical direction, enjoying considerable autonomy and quick transitions from concept to production. Your work will impact millions of travelers across Europe.

Essential Qualifications

• Over 5 years of commercial experience building and deploying machine learning models in production environments.
• Strong knowledge in statistics, predictive modeling, and applied machine learning methods.
• Proficient in Python, SQL, and contemporary machine learning frameworks and tools.
• Expertise in high-efficiency modeling techniques such as tree-based and gradient boosting methods including XGBoost, LightGBM, and CatBoost.
• Proven leadership capabilities demonstrated through mentorship, standard setting, or managing sophisticated ML projects.
• Excellent communication skills enabling influence with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong ownership attitude with success in addressing ambiguous problems that have significant impact.
• Passionate about utilizing AI to enhance products, workflows, and engineering standards.

Benefits and Working Conditions

• Hybrid work model with approximately 50% onsite presence at Munich, Germany.
• Opportunity to work up to 8 weeks annually from international locations.
• Dedicated personal learning budget and specific learning days.
• Discounted premium gym memberships.
• Additional employee benefits such as bonuses, pension schemes, and private healthcare.
• Notable discounts on properties available through the company’s platform.