Senior AI Scientist – Transportation & Logistics

About the Role

About Avathon

Were hiring a Senior AI Scientist (Transportation & Logistics) at Avathon where AI meets the real world.
This is a high-impact role at the intersection of operations research reinforcement learning and large-scale data systems focused on building intelligent solutions that transform transportation and logistics networks.

We are looking for a Senior AI Scientist to lead the design and deployment of advanced optimization and machine learning systems across complex transportation ecosystems. You will work on real-world challenges such as routing scheduling network optimization demand forecasting and asset utilization across multimodal logistics environments including FCL LCL FTL LTL intermodal and maritime transportation.

This role offers the opportunity to drive innovation in vessel scheduling container repositioning fleet optimization and dynamic routing while collaborating closely with engineering product and operations teams to bring scalable AI solutions into production.

Key Responsibilities

AI/ML Model Development

• Design and implement advanced models for:
• Fleet optimization and capacity planning
• Vehicle routing and scheduling (VRP TSP variants)
• Demand forecasting and optimization
• Apply reinforcement learning optimization algorithms and hybrid ML OR approaches

Transportation Domain Solutions

Build solutions for:

• Maritimelogistics(vessel scheduling port operations)
• Container repositioning and imbalance optimization
• Truckload (FTL) less-than-truckload (LTL) and intermodal routing
• Incorporate real-world constraints (time windows capacity regulations SLAs)

AI Engineering & Deployment

• Productionize models using scalable architectures (cloud-native APIs)
• Collaborate with engineering teams to deploy AI solutions into production
• Ensure robustness explainability and monitoring of models

Data & Feature Engineering

Work with large-scale datasets:

• Shipment data GPS/telematics weather port congestion tariffs
• Build feature pipelines and data validation frameworks

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead AI initiatives and mentor junior scientists
• Translate business problems into AI solutions
• Partner with product operations and stakeholders to define roadmaps

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science Operations Research Applied Math or related quantitative field

• 1015 years of experience in AI/ML or optimization or Supply Chain planning systems

Strongexpertisein:

• Python (NumPy PandasPyTorch/TensorFlow)
• Optimization tools (Gurobi CPLEX OR-Tools)
• Deep knowledge of:
• Routing algorithms (VRP shortest path heuristics/metaheuristics)
• Time-series forecasting and probabilistic modeling
• Experience deploying models in production environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience intransportationlogistics or supply chain domain

• Familiarity with Maritime shipping or fleet scheduling

• Containerlogisticsand repositioning problems

Experience with:

• Reinforcement learning for dynamic decision-making
• Digital twins and simulation systems
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (GCP AWS Azure)
• Experience with streaming data (Kafka Spark)

Key Skills

• Optimization Machine Learning hybrid modeling

• Strong problem-solving and mathematical modeling skills

• Ability to handle ambiguous real-world constraints

• Communication skills to explain complex models to business stakeholders

Publications / Patents:

• Strong plus if you have published in AI/ML/OR conferences (NeurIPS ICML INFORMS etc.)

Interview Process

As part of the interview process you will be asked to complete a technical assessment.

Benefits & Perks

What are the benefits and perks at Avathon Below are some highlights we offer to our U.S. full-time employees -- wed love to connect and share more!

• Evolving culture with the opportunity to drive new ideas and technology
• Stock Option Grants
• Medical Coverage and Parental Leave Plans
• 401k with Employer Match
• Monthly Technology Allowance
• Newly renovated office space located near Pleasanton CA -- including fully stocked beverage and snack areas

Contract and temporary roles are not eligible for the above benefits.

Compensation

Pay Range:$160k - $240k salary annually. Pay for this position is based on a number of factors including geographic location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge skills and experience.

Location:This role is not remote. Candidates must be based in the Bay Area CA and are expected to report to our Pleasanton office 5 days a week.