Principal Scientist, Amazon Transportation

Other Jobs To Apply

Description
Amazon's Middle Mile Science group is looking for a Principal Research Scientist specializing in marketplace science, applied to Amazon's large-scale transportation planning systems. This includes the design of novel algorithms for revenue management, online learning, and mechanism design, applied across Amazon's diverse and highly dynamic freight marketplace. The individual will have exceptional skills in modeling and optimization, relevant practical experience, and a true passion to innovate.
The Middle Mile Science group is charged with developing an evolving suite of optimization tools to facilitate the design of efficient air and ground transport networks, optimize the flow of packages within the network to efficiently align network capacity and shipment demand, set prices, and effectively utilize scarce resources, such as aircraft and trucks. The scale of Amazon's fulfillment operations challenges us to design, build and operate robust transportation networks that minimize the overall operational cost while meeting all customer deadlines. Amazon often finds existing techniques do not effectively match our unique business needs, which necessitates the innovation and development of new approaches and algorithms to find an adequate solution.
As a Principal Research Scientist, you will work closely with product managers, research scientists, applied scientists, Amazon scholars, and business/technical leadership to build capabilities that transform our transportation network. You will take the lead on defining an ambitious scientific agenda, fostering technical innovation within our team, and overseeing the launch and successful adoption of scientific tools in production. You will interface regularly with senior leadership as you communicate results and provide scientific guidance to the business. Your insights will be a key influencer of our product strategy and your experimental research will inform our future investment areas.
About the team
Our Middle Mile Marketplace Science team builds the algorithms for Amazon's rapidly growing freight marketplace. Amazon contracts with 3P shippers and a network of independent carriers, using a mix of contract structures with varying service and risk profiles. Our work focuses on mechanisms and learning algorithms to optimize pricing and matching in this complex marketplace, and continually improve the experience for carriers and shippers. This is an area with many challenging problems and a huge business impact for Amazon!
Basic Qualifications
- 10+ years of tech industry or equivalent experience
- PhD in a quantitative discipline such as statistics, mathematics, economics, computer science, or any related quantitative field
- Industry or academic applied research experience in designing/implementing algorithms tailored to particular business needs and tested on large datasets.
- Strong problem-solving ability and the ability to work in an ambiguous and constantly evolving environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Track record of significant peer-reviewed scientific contributions in premier journals and conferences.
- Deep expertise and familiarity with state-of-the-art research on pricing, revenue management, and marketplace optimization.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company's reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you're applying in isn't listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $170,500/year in our lowest geographic market up to $294,700/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits . This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.

Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...