Lead Data Scientist

Your role at ZEISS Digital:

You will play a strategic and architectural role in shaping the future of Data & Analytics and Business Intelligence function, actively contributing to the success of ZEISS global digital and AI transformation. In this architect-level function, you will enable business units to identify, design, and scale enterprise-grade Predictive Analytics and GenAI solutions. You will be responsible not only for solution delivery, but also for defining GenAI architecture, standards, and long-term technical direction across India and global initiatives. You will work closely with global stakeholders, platform teams, and cross-functional partners to design scalable, secure, and reusable AI and GenAI data products aligned with ZEISS enterprise architecture. You’ll be part of a supportive, agile, and globally connected team that values open communication, shared success, and technical excellence. Help us shape the future of ZEISS.

In this role you will:

• Focus on architectural, conceptual, communication, and organization
• Partner with business and technology stakeholders to define GenAI solution architecture, translating complex business challenges into scalable ML and GenAI designs
• Own end-to-end AI and GenAI solution architecture, covering data pipelines, model orchestration, LLM integration, deployment patterns, security, and governance
• Lead complex, cross-regional data-driven initiatives from use-case discovery to enterprise rollout, with a strong focus on business impact and sustainability
• Act as a technical authority and mentor for data scientists and engineers, ensuring architectural consistency and best practices
• Drive the GenAI agenda together with the team and GenAI task force – from platform architecture and governance to capability building and enablement and hands-on technical leadership
• Validate feasibility of AI and GenAI use cases through prototyping, design reviews, and technical guidance
• Evaluate and integrate cutting-edge technologies such as Agentic AI, Deep Learning, and Large Language Models (LLMs) into ZEISS’ enterprise data and analytics ecosystem

You have:

• Preferably a Master’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subject, such as Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience in data science, AI, or advanced analytics, with proven experience in solution or technical architecture roles
• Deep expertise in machine learning, including supervised and unsupervised learning, along with strong experience in model lifecycle management, deployment, and scalability
• Strong hands-on and architectural experience with GenAI technologies, including transformers, LLMs, diffusion models, and multimodal AI
• Excellent proficiency in Python and relevant libraries (NumPy, Pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow, statsforecast, LangChain)
• Experience with AI/ML platforms, cloud-native architectures, and enterprise integration patterns
• MCP experience is a plus
• Strong understanding of data architecture, from ingestion and feature engineering to advanced analytics and consumption layers
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives across regions and priorities
• Excellent communication skills in English, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• A collaborative mindset, strong ownership, strategic thinking, and the confidence to challenge the status quo