Staff/Lead LLM Data Scientist

About the role

Agoda is seeking a seasoned data scientist to spearhead the development and implementation of systems powered by large language models (LLMs) that enhance the travel experience for users. This role involves creating solutions that facilitate the search, pricing, and booking of flights, accommodations, and activities in a seamless manner. The successful candidate will oversee the entire lifecycle of these systems, from deciphering user intent to orchestrating comprehensive trip planning. This opportunity is ideal for experienced machine learning professionals eager to make a significant impact on both the technical framework and product strategy in a high-volume booking environment.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Design and oversee LLM-driven workflows that accurately interpret traveler inquiries, facilitate trip planning, and interface with internal booking and pricing systems.
• Transform loosely defined product challenges into actionable machine learning and LLM solutions, carefully considering factors such as quality, latency, cost, and reliability.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and senior leadership to navigate trade-offs that influence the overall user experience.
• Implement an iterative shipping process, collect feedback from production, and continuously enhance system performance based on user interactions.
• Conduct thorough evaluations and testing of LLM systems to ensure optimal performance and reliability in real-world applications.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in machine learning and LLM technologies, applying relevant innovations to improve existing systems.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the development of best practices within the team.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings to align on project goals and deliverables, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and engaged.

Requirements

• A robust background in data science, with hands-on experience in modeling, feature engineering, statistical analysis, and experimental design.
• Proven track record in building and managing production LLM systems, including retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines, agent orchestration, and context or memory management, with a strong focus on evaluation and iterative improvement.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to thrive in dynamic environments where project requirements may evolve.
• Familiarity with agile methodologies and experience working in a fast-paced, collaborative setting.
• Strong communication skills, capable of articulating complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• A degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Data Science, or a related discipline is preferred.

Nice to have

• Experience with cloud-based ML platforms and services (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Azure).
• Knowledge of natural language processing (NLP) techniques and frameworks.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools and techniques to communicate insights effectively.
• Previous experience in the travel or hospitality industry is a plus.

Skills & tools

• Expertise in designing LLM systems, including RAG, agent orchestration, and context management.
• Proficiency in statistical modeling and feature engineering methodologies.
• Familiarity with experimentation frameworks to validate hypotheses and improve models.
• Experience with deploying and monitoring machine learning models in production environments.

Practical notes

• Agoda offers full visa sponsorship and relocation assistance for qualified candidates, making this an excellent opportunity for both local and international applicants.
• Compensation packages are flexible and will be tailored to align with your experience and the impact you can make within the organization.
• Candidates are encouraged to review Agoda's Hiring Process Guidelines prior to interviews to better understand the selection criteria and process.

This role at Agoda presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the evolution of travel technology, leveraging your expertise in machine learning and large language models to create innovative solutions that enhance the user experience. If you are passionate about shaping the future of travel and have the skills to back it up, we would love to hear from you.

About the company

Agoda. com is an online travel agency that facilitates reservations for lodging, flights, ground transportation, and activities. It is a subsidiary of Booking Holdings.