Principal Data Scientist

New Principal Data Scientist Chennai Or Remote Apply At FourKites we have the opportunity to tackle complex challenges with real-world impacts. Whether it’s medical supplies from Cardinal Health or groceries for Walmart, the FourKites platform helps customers operate global supply chains that are efficient, agile and sustainable. Join a team of curious problem solvers that celebrates differences, leads with empathy and values inclusivity .  We are seeking an exceptional Principal Data Scientist with 15+ years of experience to lead technical innovation in Shipments ETA prediction across multiple transportation modes. This senior individual contributor role requires deep expertise in predictive modeling, supply chain analytics, and transportation logistics, with particular strength in regression problems and modern deep learning architectures. You will be the technical authority driving ETA accuracy improvements for Full Truck Load (FTL), Less-than-Truckload (LTL), Parcel, and complex multi-pickup/delivery scenarios. What you'll be doing Technical Leadership & Innovation ETA Modeling Excellence : Design and implement state-of-the-art predictive models for shipment ETAs across FTL, LTL, Parcel, and multi-stop delivery scenarios Cross-Modal Optimization : Develop unified frameworks that account for mode-specific characteristics while maintaining consistency across transportation types Complex Routing Intelligence : Build sophisticated models for multi-pickup and delivery scenarios with dynamic routing optimization Real-time Prediction Systems : Architect scalable solutions that provide accurate ETAs with sub-second latency for millions of shipments Advanced Analytics & Research Time Series Mastery : Lead development of advanced time series models incorporating seasonality, weather, traffic, and operational constraints Geospatial Analytics : Implement cutting-edge location-based models combining GPS tracking, route optimization, and historical patterns Feature Engineering Innovation : Create novel features from telematics data, driver behavior, carrier performance, and external data sources Uncertainty Quantification : Develop probabilistic models that provide confidence intervals and risk assessments for ETA predictions Strategic Technical Influence Architecture Design : Define the technical roadmap for ETA prediction systems, balancing accuracy, scalability, and operational efficiency Cross-Functional Collaboration : Partner with Product, Engineering, and Operations teams to translate business requirements into technical solutions Industry Leadership : Represent the company at conferences, publish research, and establish thought leadership in transportation analytics Mentorship & Knowledge Transfer : Guide junior data scientists and establish best practices for transportation modeling Who You are  Education & Experience Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, or related quantitative field (required) 15+ years of data science experience with at least 5 years in transportation, logistics, or supply chain analytics Deep ETA/Transportation Knowledge : Proven track record of building production ETA systems for multiple transportation modes Supply Chain Expertise : Understanding of logistics operations, carrier networks, and transportation economics Scalable Systems Experience : Experience with high-volume, real-time prediction systems serving millions of requests Technical Excellence Core Data Science Mastery Expert-level EDA skills : Advanced proficiency in transportation data analysis, anomaly detection, and pattern recognition Advanced Regression Modeling : Deep expertise in time series regression, spatial regression, and hierarchical modeling Deep Learning Expertise : Hands-on experience with sequence models, attention mechanisms, and transformer architectures for temporal prediction Statistical Modeling : Mastery of Bayesian methods, survival analysis, and probabilistic forecasting Specialized Transportation Skills Geospatial Analytics : Proficiency with PostGIS, spatial indexing, routing algorithms, and map-matching techniques Time Series Forecasting : Advanced knowledge of ARIMA, state-space models, neural forecasting (LSTM, GRU, Transformers) Optimization Methods : Experience with route optimization, network flow problems, and multi-objective optimization Real-time Systems : Understanding of streaming data processing, model serving, and low-latency prediction systems Technical Infrastructure Programming Mastery : Expert-level Python/R with pandas, numpy, scikit-learn, TensorFlow/PyTorch, and transportation-specific libraries Big Data Platforms : Experience with Spark, Kafka, and distributed computing for large-scale transportation data Database Systems : Advanced SQL skills with time-series databases (InfluxDB, TimescaleDB) and spatial databases Cloud & MLOps : Proficiency with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), containerization, and ML deployment pipelines Preferred Qualifications Advanced Degree : PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or related quantitative field Domain Certifications : Professional certifications in supply chain, logistics, or transportation (APICS, CSCMP, SOLE, etc.) Industry Recognition : Publications in transportation/logistics conferences (INFORMS, TRB) or top-tier ML venues Leadership Experience : Track record of leading technical initiatives and influencing product strategy Open Source Contributions : Contributions to transportation analytics or forecasting libraries Transportation Domain Challenges You'll Solve Multi-Modal ETA Complexity FTL Challenges : Long-haul routing with driver hours-of-service, fuel stops, and carrier-specific performance patterns LTL Complexity : Hub-and-spoke networks with consolidation delays, sorting times, and terminal-specific processing Parcel Dynamics : Last-mile delivery optimization with address-level precision and delivery attempt modeling Multi-Stop Scenarios : Complex pickup/delivery sequences with dynamic routing and time window constraints Advanced Technical Problems Data Fusion : Integrating GPS tracking, weather data, traffic patterns, carrier performance, and operational constraints Uncertainty Modeling : Providing confidence intervals and risk assessments for critical shipments Real-time Adaptation : Updating predictions as new information becomes available during transit Performance Optimization : Balancing model complexity with sub-second prediction requirements What You can expect from the role Technical Excellence : Access to cutting-edge infrastructure, datasets, and research resources Industry Impact : Opportunity to shape the future of transportation analytics and supply chain optimization Professional Growth : Conference speaking opportunities, research publication support, and industry networking Innovation Environment : Collaborative culture with world-class engineering and product teams Who we are: FourKites®, the leader in AI-driven supply chain transformation for global enterprises and pioneer of advanced real-time visibility, turns supply chain data into automated action. FourKites’ Intelligent Control Tower™ breaks down enterprise silos by creating a real-time digital twin of orders, shipments, inventory and assets. This comprehensive view, combined with AI-powered digital workers, enables companies to prevent disruptions, automate routine tasks, and optimize performance across their supply chain. FourKites processes over 3.2 million supply chain events daily — from purchase orders to final delivery — helping 1,600+ global brands prevent disruptions, make faster decisions and move from reactive tracking to proactive supply chain orchestration. Working at FourKites We provide competitive compensation with stock options, outstanding benefits and a collaborative culture for all employees around the globe, including: 5 global recharge days, in addition to standard holidays, and a hybrid, flexible approach to work. Parental leave for all parents, an annual wellness stipend and volunteer days also provide you with time and resources for self care and to care for others. Opportunities throughout the year to learn and celebrate diversity. Access to leading AI tools and foundation models, with the freedom to experiment and find creative ways to be more effective in your role And we're always listening for new ways to support everyone in and out of the office. Create a Job Alert Interested in building your career at FourKites? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email. Create alert Apply for this job * indicates a required field Autofill with Greenhouse First Name * Last Name * Email * Phone * Location (City) * Locate me Resume/CV * Attach Attach Dropbox Google Drive Enter manually Enter manually Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Cover Letter Attach Attach Dropbox Google Drive Enter manually Enter manually Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Education School Select... 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