Principal Scientist, Amazon Transportation

Amazons Middle Mile Science group is looking for a Principal Research Scientist specializing in marketplace science, applied to Amazons large-scale transportation planning systems. This includes the design of novel algorithms for revenue management, online learning, and mechanism design, applied across Amazons 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 Amazons 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 Amazons 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!

- 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.

- 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 Companys reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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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 . This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.