Sr. Data Scientist

Navan; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Navan is seeking a hands-on Senior Data Scientist to apply statistical modeling and AI to optimize business decisions across planning, booking, and support. You’ll partner with teams to turn opportunities into models and tools, and lead projects from discovery through delivery, blending statistics, software development, and AI to reshape the traveler experience.

You will build scalable data-science solutions in Python and SQL, develop forecasting and scenario models, and collaborate closely with

Qualifications

• 4+ years in data science, applied analytics, or related quantitative role.
• Strong Python and SQL skills with real-world data ML solutions.
• Background in statistics, mathematics, economics, CS, or related quantitative discipline.
• Hands-on experience using AI tools in research and software development.
• Applied experience with statistical modeling, forecasting, and experimental methods.
• Proven ability to communicate findings and trade-offs to varied audiences.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities in pricing, resource allocation, and ops efficiency using quantitative models.
• Design analyses and experiments to understand customer behavior and evaluate initiatives.
• Build reusable data-science solutions in Python and SQL from exploration to deployment with Engineering.
• Develop forecasting and scenario models to support planning and decisions.
• Build AI-enabled analytics apps, partnering with Engineering on deployment and monitoring.
• Use AI to explore data, generate hypotheses, and validate results.
• Apply AI-assisted development to prototyping, testing, and documentation with software practices.
• Explore business data to surface patterns and guide further analysis.

Skills

Python

SQL

Statistical modeling

Forecasting

Experiment design

AI tools usage

Collaboration

Tools

Metaview

Cloud platforms

Job description

Navan is looking for a hands-on Senior Data Scientist to apply statistical modeling and AI to business optimization and better decision-making. You’ll partner with teams across Navan to turn business opportunities into analytical tools, models, and practical recommendations. You will lead projects from discovery through delivery, combining statistical methods, software development, and AI tools to support business decisions and reshape the traveler experience across planning, booking, and support.

What You'll Do

• Identify opportunities in pricing, resource allocation, and operational efficiency, using quantitative models to compare options, assess trade-offs, and recommend improvements.
• Design analyses and experiments that help teams understand customer behavior, evaluate initiatives, and choose where to invest.
• Build reusable data-science solutions in Python and SQL, ranging from exploratory analysis to tested analytical workflows developed alongside Engineering.
• Develop forecasting and scenario models that support business planning and resource decisions.
• Build AI-enabled analytical applications, partnering closely with Engineering on deployment, evaluation, access controls, and monitoring.
• Use AI to explore research, generate hypotheses, and assess analytical approaches with appropriate validation of sources and results.
• Apply AI-assisted development to prototyping, testing, and documentation alongside established software-engineering practices.
• Explore business and customer data to surface patterns, explain performance, and guide further analysis.

What We're Looking For

• 4+ years of experience in data science, applied analytics, or a related quantitative role, or an equivalent record of relevant delivery.
• Strong Python and SQL skills, with hands-on experience developing analytical or machine-learning solutions using real-world data.
• Background in statistics, mathematics, economics, computer science, or a related quantitative discipline, gained through study or applied experience.
• Hands-on experience using AI tools in research and software development.
• Applied experience with statistical modeling, forecasting, and experimental methods.
• Proven ability to collaborate with business and technical teams to develop and deliver data-driven solutions and communicate analytical findings and trade-offs to a range of audiences.
• Useful Experience:
• Cloud data platforms, automated analytical workflows or applied optimization.
• Developing and deploying AI-enabled applications, including evaluation and monitoring.
• Experience in travel, payments, fintech or another transaction-driven business.

The posted pay range represents the anticipated low and high end of the compensation for this position and is subject to change based on business need. To determine a successful candidate’s starting pay, we carefully consider a variety of factors, including primary work location, an evaluation of the candidate’s skills and experience, market demands, and internal parity. For roles with on-target-earnings (OTE), the pay range includes both base salary and target incentive compensation. Target incentive compensation for some roles may include a ramping draw period. Compensation is higher for those who exceed targets. Candidates may receive more information from the recruiter.

Pay Range: $121,500 USD - $270,000 USD

Navan uses AI-assisted Automated Employment Decision Tool (Metaview) to assist with evaluating resumes against job qualifications for this role. All final decisions are made by human recruiters and hiring managers.

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