Lead Data Scientist, Operations Research

Sensata Technologies; Attleboro (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

Sensata Technologies seeks a Lead Data Scientist, Operations Research to lead optimization, forecasting and decision modeling for our supply chain and beyond. You will turn complex inventory, planning and scheduling problems into production models that drive decisions across planning, purchasing and engineering.

You will mentor data scientists, set modeling standards, and partner with planners and executives to adoption and measurable improvements in cost, service and inventory performance.

Qualifications

• 7+ years building optimization models for operations.
• Deep operations research expertise: linear/mixed-integer programming.
• Hands-on with optimization solvers (Gurobi/CPLEX).
• Strong time-series forecasting and backtesting.
• Strong Python and SQL; ERP/EDI data familiarity.
• Experience in manufacturing or supply chains preferred.
• Ability to influence senior leaders with evidence.
• Master’s or PhD in related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee data science modeling for Supply Chain and other ops use cases.
• Lead optimization modeling for inventory, capacity and scheduling.
• Build demand forecasting and signal-reliability models.
• Develop spend analytics to support procurement decisions.
• Design empirical tests and backtesting; set retraining standards.
• Collaborate with planners, buyers and leadership to drive adoption.
• Provide technical direction to data scientists and AI engineers.

Skills

7+ years experience

Operations research

Data science leadership

Python

SQL

Communication skills

Vendor & stakeholder influence

Education

Master’s or PhD in OR/Industrial Engineering/Statistics/Applied Math

Tools

Gurobi

CPLEX

OR-Tools

Pyomo

Job description

The Lead Data Scientist, Operations Research leads optimization, forecasting and decision modeling for Sensata’s operations, starting with Supply Chain and extending to Procurement and Engineering. The role turns complex problems in inventory, planning, scheduling and cost into production models that change how planners, buyers and engineers make decisions. It also sets the data science standards for operations AI use cases. The role also supports enterprise data science needs as priorities arise.

General Responsibilities

• Oversees developing innovative product solutions to continuously drive value for the customer
• Leads development project teams by defining data needs
• Advises on insights to customer challenges
• Identify valuable data sources and efficient collection processes
• Analyze large data sets to discover trends and value driven insights
• Leads predictive models and algorithms
• Oversees development processes and tools to analyze model performance and data accuracy
• Communicate complex findings and ideas using data visualization techniques

Experience / Qualifications

• A university degree required (i.e. Bachelors degree) or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Must be a team player able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to handle multiple competing tasks and demands
• Strong communication skills; oral, written and presentation
• Strong organization, planning and time management skills to achieve results
• Strong personal and professional ethical values and integrity
• Holds self-accountable to achieving goals and standards
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)
• Strong interpersonal & collaboration skills to work effectively with all levels of the organization including suppliers and/or external customers

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead data science modeling and approach for variety operations use cases, incl. Supply Chain, from framing the problem through production and adoption.
• Build optimization models for inventory policy, multi-echelon safety stock, item segmentation, capacity and production planning, and lab/test scheduling.
• Build demand forecasting and signal-reliability models for noisy customer and EDI demand.
• Develop should-cost and spend analytics to support Procurement decisions.
• Design empirical tests to evaluate vendor and planning-platform models, and hold vendors to agreed performance thresholds.
• Set standards for modeling, validation and backtesting. Define retraining and monitoring requirements with the AI Platform/MLOps team.
• Work directly with planners, buyers and business leaders so models are adopted and improve inventory, service and cost.
• Give technical direction and mentoring to data scientists and AI engineers working on operations use cases.

Additional Qualifications

• 7+ years building optimization, ML and statistical models for operational problems, with models deployed and in sustained use.
• Deep operations research expertise: linear and mixed-integer programming, constrained optimization, inventory theory, scheduling and simulation.
• Hands-on experience with optimization solvers and frameworks (e.g., Gurobi, CPLEX, OR-Tools, Pyomo).
• Strong time-series forecasting skills, including hierarchical and probabilistic methods and rigorous backtesting.
• Strong Python and SQL; comfortable working with raw ERP, EDI and manufacturing data.
• Experience in manufacturing, automotive, industrial or distribution supply chains strongly preferred.
• Able to challenge and influence senior leaders and vendors with evidence.
• Master’s or PhD in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Statistics, Applied Mathematics or a related field preferred.

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Base Salary Range:

$119,600.00 - $164,450.00

At Sensata, our employees are the key to our success and growth. We recognize that each individual brings their own unique experience, therefore the base salary range information shown above is a general guideline only. Sensata considers several factors when extending an offer, including, but not limited to, a candidate’s experience and qualifications, as well as internal equity, market and business considerations. In addition to base salary, Sensata offers competitive medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance plans, along with education reimbursement, wellness programs, a 401(k) retirement plan with Company matching, and a variety of paid time off, such as vacation or flex-time, sick, bereavement, and parental leave. Certain positions are also eligible for short-term incentive and long-term incentive programs.

Smarter Together

• Collaborating at Sensata means working with some of the world’s most talented people in an enriching environment that is constantly pushing towards the next best thing
• Employees work across functions, countries and cultures gaining new perspectives through mutual respect and open communication
• As OneSensata, we are working together to make things work together