Manager Industrial System Analytic GDI&A

Ford; Chennai District; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 6,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford Motor Company's Global Data Insights and Analytics (GDIA) is seeking a Data Science Manager to lead a multidisciplinary team delivering advanced analytics, AI/ML solutions, and data-driven decision support across Ford Enterprise.

The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on ML/AI work, data quality improvements, and collaboration with business stakeholders to drive cost reduction, quality improvements, and value creation.

Qualifications

• Master's degree (PhD preferred) in a relevant field.
• 5+ years hands-on ML/AI experience; OEM experience preferred.
• 5+ years leading a cross-functional technical team.
• Proficiency in R and Python; experience with ML frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-disciplinary data science and AI/ML team through project lifecycles.
• Provide technical leadership and hands-on contribution from concept to deployment.
• Collaborate with GDIA and business stakeholders to drive strategic outcomes.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing, innovative team.
• Develop a technology roadmap including adoption of new tools like GCP.

Skills

Hands-on ML/AI

Team leadership

Python

R

ML frameworks (TF, PyTorch, SKLearn, X

Education

Master's degree (PhD preferred) in Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Industrial Engineering, or related field

Tools

Jira

SQL

Spark

Hive

GCP

Job description

The Global Data Insights and Analytics (GDIA) navigates Ford Motor Company through the disruptions of the information age, unleashing the power of data, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence to drivevalue and help transform Ford through proactive, actionable, evidence-based decision making. GDIA delivers data-driven platforms and advanced analytics and AI/ML solutions for Ford Enterprise.

GDIA - Industrial System Analytics (ISA) team is a trusted advisor providing data, advanced analytics/AI/ML, and insights to support, optimize, and transformareas across Ford enterprise likeQuality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain / Purchasing, Program and Launch Management and Design Cost Complexity. We leverage cutting-edge technologies to improve vehicle launch timing, quality, and cost.

This role demands strong technical expertise, hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge analytical tools (including AI/ML), strong understanding of software craftmanship / software development cycle, and the ability to translate business needs into actionable solutions. Successful candidates will provide technical and thought leadership in advanced analytics, AI/ML, and people management.

The ideal candidate possesses a strong theoretical foundation in statistical analysis, machine learning, simulation, econometrics, optimization, data platforms, and artificial intelligence and product development. Given the dynamic nature of data analytics and AI, a commitment to continuous learning and upskilling and being hands‑on is essential. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, hands‑on experience, strategic thinking, and strong leadership skills.

As a Data Science Manager, you will

• lead a multi-disciplinary team of data scientists, machine learning engineers, product designers, data engineers, and software engineers through the entire lifecycle of complex analytical and AI/ML projects.
• provide technical leadership and be hands‑on from concept to deployment.
• collaborate across GDIA functions and partner with business stakeholders to drive strategic outcomes.
• lead, mentor, and inspire your team to deliver impactful results, while fostering an innovative, collaborative, and high‑performing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Technical Leadership: Lead business engagement, apply and refine methodologies to deliver analytical solutions that help data driven decision making to reduce cost, improve quality and deliver value across Ford Enterprise.
• Data Improvement Integration:Collaborate with business partners, GDIA functional teams and Centers of Excellence to improve data quality and integrate data from diverse sources.
• Hands‑on Expertise: Build, improve, and deploy Machine Learning AI models to provide descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics.
• Team Leadership Mentorship:Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team, fostering best practices in software development and data science.
• Technology Strategy:Develop and implement a roadmap for adopting and integrating new technologies (e.g., GCP).

Cross-functional Collaboration:

Work effectively with various teams and stakeholders to achieve business objectives

Required:

• Master''s degree (PhD preferred) in Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience applying supervised and unsupervised machine learning and AI/ML techniques field (OEM experience preferred).
• 5+ years of leading a team of cross-functional technical experts.
• Proficiency in R and Python, along with experience with ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-Learn, XGBoost).
• Experience with GCP and data related technologies (SQL, Spark, Hive).
• Strong technical people leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Experience working with Agile methodologies.
• Strong experience with Java/AngularJS/ReactJS.

Preferred:

• Experience with NLP, deep learning, neural network architectures, computer vision, reliability, survival analysis and anomaly detection techniques.
• Familiarity with computationally intensive statistical methods, Software development life cycle, Agile, Jira, system architecture principles, PDO processes and software craftmanship.
• Google Digital Leader certification.