Principal Data Science Engineer

Sabre Corporation; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 6,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Sabre Corporation in Bengaluru is seeking a Principal Data Science Engineer to lead design, development, and testing of AI-enabled software solutions for Sabre’s travel platforms.

You will drive research and production-grade implementations, focusing on scalable ML systems, LLM integration, and Real-time optimization across airline, agency, and hotel domains. This is a senior, hands-on role in a hybrid, collaboration-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of related experience in Data Science or AI Engineering.
• PhD preferred in Mathematics, Statistics, CS, or Physics with strong research background.
• Proven ability to move complex models from research to global production.
• Expertise in ML/AI, including DL, RL, and NLP.
• High-performance programming in Python and C++.

Responsibilities

• Architects, codes, and deploys complex software solutions with ML models into Sabre’s platforms.
• Drives R&D by prototyping and scaling ideas in travel tech.
• Designs end-to-end AI systems with LLM integration for agency support and real-time optimization.
• Optimizes GDS workflows and migrates legacy logic to modern GCP-based architectures.
• Establishes AI lifecycle policies and robust MLOps standards.
• Collaborates with architects and product managers to align technical roadmaps with business goals.
• Mentors junior data scientists and engineers, promoting rigorous experimentation.
• Advances disruptive technologies including Agentic AI in mission-critical travel environments.

Skills

Advanced ML/AI solutioning

NLP

Reinforcement Learning

Deep Learning

Python programming

C++ programming

Real-time data processing

Agile software development

Education

PhD preferred in Mathematics/Statistics/CS/Physics

Tools

GCP Vertex AI

BigQuery ML

Docker

Kubernetes

LangChain

LlamaIndex

RAG-based systems

Gurobi/CPLEX

Job description

Powering the agentic revolution in travel. Sabre is an AI-native technology leader, backed by one of the world’s largest travel data clouds. Built on an open, modular, cloud-native architecture, Sabre serves as the backbone for both established leaders and bold, new disruptors, guiding them to the next age of travel retailing through intelligent, connected, and personalized experiences. With AI at its core and operating at unparalleled scale, Sabre transforms insights into innovation, empowering airlines, hoteliers, agencies and other partners to retail, distribute and fulfill travel worldwide.

Powering the agentic revolution in travel. Sabre is an AI-native technology leader, backed by one of the world’s largest travel data clouds. Built on an open, modular, cloud-native architecture, Sabre serves as the backbone for both established leaders and bold, new disruptors, guiding them to the next age of travel retailing through intelligent, connected, and personalized experiences. With AI at its core and operating at unparalleled scale, Sabre transforms insights into innovation, empowering airlines, hoteliers, agencies and other partners to retail, distribute and fulfill travel worldwide.

Team Description

Sabre is seeking a talented Principal Data Science Engineer to join the Data Intelligence and Research (DIR) team.

DIR is a specialized team of researchers, mathematicians, and AI engineers who serve as the intelligent core of Sabre’s travel marketplace. We are dedicated to solving the most complex challenges across the global travel domain. Our mission spans Airline Pricing, Agency Automation, Network Planning, Airline Operations, and Departure Control Systems. We build high-performance systems that streamline travel agency workflows, optimize airline networks, and enhance the productivity of travel consultants worldwide. By blending classical mathematical optimization with cutting-edge Generative AI and robust MLOps , we ensure our models power the next generation of travel distribution—from initial search and booking to post-trip service, agency efficiency, and seamless airport operations.

At Sabre, we’re passionate about building software that solves problems. In this role, you will plan, design, develop, and test software systems or applications for software enhancements and new products including cloud-based tools.

Role and Responsibilities

• Architects, codes, and deploys complex software solutions that integrate advanced mathematical algorithms and machine learning models into Sabre’s core retailing, Network Planning, Agency Automation, and Departure Control platforms.

• Drives Research & Innovation by identifying, prototyping, and scaling new ideas within the travel domain, such as AI-driven automation for Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and personalized, real-time itinerary optimization.

• Designs end-to-end AI systems, specifically focusing on the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) for automated agency support, customer intent recognition, and conversational commerce.

• Solves high-impact organizational challenges, such as optimizing Global Distribution System (GDS) workflows and migrating legacy automation logic into modern, GCP-based AI architectures.

• Establishes strategic AI lifecycle policies, defining rigorous standards for MLOps to ensure high-fidelity model performance across the volatile data landscapes.

• Promotes engineering excellence by utilizing best practices in Python and golang ensuring research-grade prototypes are refactored into production-quality, low-latency systems.

• Collaborates with cross-functional leadership, including architects and product managers, to align technical roadmaps with business goals like NDC adoption, total travel cost optimization, and operational efficiency.

• Influences stakeholder decision-making, advocating for the adoption of disruptive technologies—including Agentic AI—within mission-critical, high-availability travel environments.

• Mentors and develops junior data scientists and engineers, fostering a culture of rigorous experimentation, academic-level research, and high-performance engineering.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of related experience in Data Science, AI Engineering, or Operations Research.

• Advanced Degree (PhD preferred) in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or Physics with a strong research background and a proven track record of innovation.

• Proven experience in Agile Software Development, with a demonstrated ability to move complex models from the research phase to global production.

• Expertise in advanced ML/AI solutioning, including Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, and Natural Language Processing (NLP).

• High-performance programming skills, with mastery of Python and C++ for computationally intensive and latency-sensitive tasks.

• Superior analytical skills, particularly in processing high-volume, real-time data from GDS, OTA, and airline sources.

• Deep knowledge of the Modern AI Tech Stack, including GCP (Vertex AI, BigQuery ML), MLOps tools, and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).

• Proficiency in Generative AI frameworks, such as LangChain or LlamaIndex, and experience with RAG-based systems for workflow automation.

• Self-motivated leadership, capable of driving complex, cross-functional projects to completion with minimal direction.

Desirable (Optional) Qualifications

• Experience in travel industry

• Domain knowledge in Airline Revenue Management, Airline Operations, Departure Control Systems, network planning, or route profitability.

• Advanced Optimization Modeling skills, including Linear Programming (LP), Mixed-Integer Programming (MIP), and experience with solvers like Gurobi or CPLEX.

We will give careful consideration to your application and review your details against the position criteria. You will receive separate notification as your application progresses.

Please note that only candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role will proceed in the selection process.

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