Data Scientist - Operations Research & Decision Intelligence

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 49,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work from home up to 8 weeks

2% development budget

Career development opportunities

Airline ticket discounts

Pension scheme

8% holiday allowance

Year-end bonus 8.33%

Profit-sharing up to 20%

25 days paid holiday + 5 days off

Discount on health insurance

Sustainable employability budget

Job summary

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines seeks a Data Scientist in the Decision Intelligence team to translate partner needs into AI products using predictive and prescriptive analytics. You will collaborate with KLM and BCG to design and develop solutions, applying operations research to build models that drive real business value.

The role sits in the Operations Decision Support (ODS) department, a hub for data, analytics, ML, and optimization within KLM Operations.

Qualifications

• Master's degree (or PhD) in a relevant field.
• Strong expertise in operations research and analytics.
• Proficiency in Python and production-grade coding.
• Experience in decision support for operations.
• Willingness to travel to engage with clients.
• Fluent in English; Dutch is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Translate business needs into AI products based on predictive and prescriptive analytics.
• Collaborate with KLM and BCG teams to design and develop AI products.
• Build efficient mathematical models and algorithms delivering business value.
• Work with Data Scientists, ML Engineers and Product Consultants to deliver results.

Skills

Python

Operations Research

English fluency

Willingness to travel

Education

Master's degree or PhD

Job description

As a key member of the Decision Intelligence team, you will play a pivotal role in driving change within the airline industry. Airlines are a collection of giant interconnected puzzles: How can we balance the time senior pilots spend proving training and flying to achieve sustained growth and crew satisfaction? How to ensure our aircraft engines are utilized in synch with our network needs over their lifetime? What can be done to increase the availability and airworthiness of our aircraft to operate a reliable network? What are the right metrics for estimating trade-off between different processes and departments? At this pioneering team delivering innovative AI products to KLM and external clients, there is always an optimization challenge awaiting you.

What will you do?

We are seeking for a Data Scientist who specializes in operations research and software development and has a practical understanding of other AI techniques. In this role, you will collaborate closely with our business partners to translate their needs into compelling and innovative products based on predictive and prescriptive analytics. You will work with fellow developers from both KLM and BCG to design and develop our latest AI products, while also contributing with your expertise in operations research to build efficient mathematical models and algorithms that drive real business value.

Where do you land?

You’ll work within the department Operations Decision Support (ODS), the data and analytics hub of KLM Operations. The Decision Intelligence team combines machine learning, generative AI and optimization to make operational decisions smarter and more predictable. This team also positions the unique Partnership between KLM and Boston Consulting Group (BCG). This partnership is managed by a separate management team that includes the KLM COO and BCG Managing Director.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary team consisting of Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers and Product Consultants; combining talent with a drive for delivering results while having profound knowledge of the airline industry and KLM operations.

Your profile

We are looking for talented Operations Research enthusiasts, for curious builders who are biased towards action, communication and enjoy working in a fast-paced and international environment. You have a fundamental understanding of both OR and ML and how it can be implemented in an operational context with the goal of driving impact in complex organizations.

You can prove this by:

• Having a relevant master's degree (or PhD) and experience building operations research-based products with measurable business impact in an enterprise or commercial setting;
• Being proficient in Python. You are eager to deliver production grade code;
• Being able to explain complex technical topics to peers, non-technical colleagues, and management in an easy to digest way and adapt style to suit the audience;
• Displaying an innate curiosity and being a lifelong learner;
• 2+ years of relevant experience in decision support for operations and planning in complex environments. Experience in airlines and logistics is an asset;
• Available and willing to travel abroad to engage with clients and implement optimization solutions on site;
• Also, you are fluent in English, being able to communicate in Dutch is a plus.

Competencies

• initiative;
• impact;
• result-oriented;
• collaboration;
• communicative;
• problem analysis.

Explore the perks of working with us

• If your position allows this: working from home and working from abroad for up to 8 weeks (EU and Caribbean)
• 2% development budget to be spent freely
• Plenty of room for personal development and great career opportunities
• Substantial discount on airline tickets (if you have been employed for at least 6 months)

What do we offer

• A challenging role with a unique employer in the Netherlandss;
• A gross monthly salary between € 4.348,98 and € 6.212,83;
• Plenty of room for personal development and great advancement opportunities;
• A good pension scheme;
• 8% holiday allowance;
• A year-end bonus of 8.33%;
• A profit-sharing scheme, up to 20%;
• 25 days of paid holiday and 5 additional days off;
• Great discounts on airline tickets (after at least 6 months of employment);
• A sustainable transport policy - use all public transport for your commute within the Netherlands, free of charge;
• If your job allows: working from home and up to 8 weeks working abroad (within the EU and Caribbean);
• Discount of your health insurance;
• A personal budget for sustainable employability.