Operations Research Specialist - QuantumBlack Labs

McKinsey & Company; New York (NY); On-site; USD 176,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

McKinsey & Company seeks a highly skilled AI/ML professional to join cross-disciplinary teams that design and deliver innovative analytics products. You will work with data scientists, software engineers, and product managers to apply optimization techniques to real client challenges in supply chain planning and operations.

The role emphasizes building scalable analytics tools, open-source contributions, and direct presentation of results to client leadership, with opportunities to collaborate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, master's or PhD in CS, ML, statistics, mathematics, engineering or AI.
• 5+ years deep technical experience in operations research/optimization or related data science work.
• Programming experience in Python, C++, Java.
• Proven application of operations research methods in the commercial world.

Responsibilities

• Work in a multidisciplinary team to build AI and analytics products and technologies.
• Apply operations research methods to client supply chain challenges from planning to logistics optimization.
• Develop scalable analytics tools and open-source projects to enable practitioners.
• Present results to client leadership and collaborate on implementation.

Skills

Python

C++

Java

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Operations research

NLP / Generative AI

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in CS/ML/Math/Engineering/AI

Tools

Kedro

PySpark

PyData stack

SQL

Airflow

Databricks

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

GCP

Azure

Job description

• Atlanta
• Boston
• New York City

Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges? You’ve come to the right place.

YOUR IMPACT

You will work in a multidisciplinary team of software engineers, product managers, data scientists, data engineers, and designers to create innovative products and technologies that accelerate and scale AI and machine learning.

You’ll contribute across product teams working on agentic AI systems, digital twins, and advanced analytics platforms, building frameworks and libraries - including open-source projects such as Kedro and ARK - that enable data and AI practitioners to work effectively on large-scale, complex projects.

You will apply operations research methods and innovative approaches to tackle client challenges in end-to-end supply chain planning - from S&OP, production planning, and scheduling to network design and logistics optimization. The increasing complexity of integrated tactical and operational systems, combined with an explosion of data, makes these topics both top-of-mind and deeply challenging for many clients. You will enhance analytics tools to customize solutions to precise client situations, develop insights, and implement recommendations that produce tangible and lasting impact on operational performance. Your engagements will range from quick diagnostics to multi-month digital implementations, with the opportunity to present results directly to client leadership and collaborate with client teams on implementation.

Your work will help solve some of the most complex and high-impact challenges facing clients across industries. You’ll help develop innovative AI and analytics capabilities and scalable enterprise solutions that directly support clients in accelerating AI adoption and solving complex business problems at scale.

You’ll be based in Atlanta, Boston, or New York and collaborate closely with data scientists, data engineers, machine learning engineers, designers, and product managers around the world. Together, you’ll work on interdisciplinary projects to solve complex business challenges across a range of industries.

Your work offers a unique opportunity to grow at the forefront of AI and advanced analytics. You’ll develop expertise at the intersection of technology and business by tackling diverse challenges in the evolving AI landscape. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams, you’ll gain a holistic understanding of how operations research and optimization enable advanced AI while collaborating with some of the leading technologists and AI practitioners in the industry.

YOUR GROWTH

Driving lasting impact and building long-term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high performance/high reward culture - doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we’ll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues-at all levels-will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you’ll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else.

When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast-paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us towards the best possible outcomes.
• Global community: With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm’s diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• World-class benefits: On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well-being for you and your family.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Bachelor's, master's or PhD level in a discipline such as: computer science, machine learning, applied statistics, mathematics, engineering or artificial intelligence
• 5+ years of deep technical experience in operations research/optimization or related data science work
• Programming experience in languages such as: Python, C++, Java
• Proven application of operations research methods in the commercial world
• Knowledge of standard software development tools and best practices (testing, version control, CI/CD, etc.)
• Understanding of supply chain concepts such as supply chain strategy, production planning, scheduling, network design, inventory, and logistics
• Previous experience in NLP or generative AI, including model development or application design and deployment, is highly desirable.
• While we advocate for using the right tech for the right task, we often leverage the following technologies: Python, PySpark, the PyData stack, SQL, Airflow, Databricks, our own open-source data pipelining framework called Kedro, Dask/RAPIDS, container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes, cloud solutions such as AWS, GCP, and Azure, and more.
• Willingness to travel
• Good presentation and communication skills, with a knack for explaining complex analytical concepts to people from other fields

Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues.

Our unwavering commitment to integrity drives everything we do, guiding us to always act in the best interests of our clients, our people, and the communities we serve.

FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Certain US jurisdictions require McKinsey & Company to include a reasonable estimate of the salary for this role. To help you understand what you can expect, the salary range for new joiners in this role in United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, is $175,500 - $180,000 USD gross per year. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest for this role at the time of this posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start, though it’s important to remember that actual salaries may vary. Factors like your office location, your unique blend of experience and skills, start date and our current organizational needs all play a part in determining the final figure. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion and based on factors such as individual and/or organizational performance.

Additionally, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to the wellness of our colleagues and their families. This includes medical, mental health, dental and vision coverage, telemedicine services, life, accident and disability insurance, parental leave and family planning benefits, caregiving resources, a generous retirement contributions program, financial guidance, and paid time off.

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.