Senior Decision Scientist, Operations Decision Science

How you'll help us Keep Climbing (overview & key responsibilities)

At Delta Air Lines, connection is at the heart of everything we do and guides our every action. We strive to welcome and care for all of our customers during their travels with us and aim to deliver an elevated experience.

Delta Air Lines connects the world by flying over 180 million customers annually to more than 300 destinations. Behind this global operation is a complex network of decisions, logistics, and real-time problem-solving. The Operations Decision Science (ODS) team plays a critical role in enabling smarter, faster, and more data-driven decisions across Delta’s operations.

We are seeking a Senior Decision Scientist to lead the development of machine learning and simulation-based solutions that address high-impact operational challenges. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of data science, business strategy, and real-world applications.

• Model Development & Deployment:

• Design, build, test, and deploy machine learning models to solve complex operational problems across the airline, from crew scheduling to maintenance.

• Project Ownership:

• Lead projects end-to-end—from scoping and data exploration to model deployment and performance monitoring in production environments.

• Simulation & Optimization:

• Apply simulation modeling techniques and collaborate with optimization experts to evaluate and improve operational strategies.

• Stakeholder Communication:

• Translate technical findings into clear, actionable insights for business stakeholders, ensuring alignment and adoption of data-driven solutions.

• Collaboration & Mentorship:

• Work closely with cross-functional teams and mentor junior scientists, contributing to a culture of learning and innovation.

• Innovation & Best Practices:

• Stay current with advancements in machine learning, simulation, and cloud technologies, and help establish best practices for scalable, maintainable solutions.

• Experience:

• 2–5 years of experience in applied data science or advanced analytics, preferably in operational or industrial domains

• Machine Learning Expertise:

• Proficiency in Python and ML libraries such as scikit-learn, XGBoost, or Light
  
  GBM. Experience with model evaluation, tuning, and interpretability techniques

• Cloud & Deployment
  
  Skills:

• Hands‑on experience with AWS ML services, including Sage Maker and Sage Maker Pipelines, Lambda, Step Functions, S3, Cloud Watch, and IAM

• Data Engineering:

• Strong SQL skills and experience working with large‑scale relational databases. Familiarity with data pipelines and ETL processes

• Simulation Modeling:

• Exposure to or experience with simulation tools such as Arena, Pro Model, or Any Logic, and an understanding of how simulation integrates with predictive modeling and optimization

• Soft Skills:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non‑technical audiences

• Strong organizational and project management skills

• Proven ability to work collaboratively in diverse, cross‑functional teams

• A continuous learner with a passion for innovation and improvement

• Consistently prioritizes safety and security of self, others, and personal data.

• Possesses a high school diploma, GED, or high school equivalency.

• Is at least 18 years of age and has authorization to work in the United States.

• Core Values:

• Commitment to safety and security

• Embraces diverse people, thinking, and styles

• Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and a customer‑first mindset

• Master’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field (Ph.D. preferred)

• Deep learning frameworks (e.g., Tensor Flow, Keras, Pytorch)

• Distributed computing platforms (e.g., Spark)

• API development and consumption for model integration

Our culture is rooted in a shared dedication to living our values – Care, Integrity, Resilience, Servant Leadership, and Teamwork – every day, in everything we do. At Delta, our people are our success. At the heart of what we offer is our focus…