AI Research and Development Lead (Bengaluru)

About the Team The Data Science team at Navi plays a central role in building intelligent solutions that power our products and drive business impact. We work across key domains such as Lending, Collections, KYC, UPI Growth and Ads recommendation, applying advanced machine learning/deep learning/GenAI techniques to solve high-impact challenges. Our work involves a diverse range of data types—including text, image, and tabular data—and we closely collaborate with cross-functional teams like Product, Business, Engineering, etc. to deliver end-to-end solutions. About the Role This role offers the opportunity to lead high-impact data science initiatives that directly shape Navi’s strategic business decisions. As a Lead Data Scientist, you will operate at the intersection of advanced machine learning, large-scale data processing, and cross-functional collaboration—building scalable, production-ready solutions that drive significant business value. You will work across multiple business units, tackling Navi’s most complex and high-priority challenges, while fostering a culture of technical excellence, continuous innovation, and mentorship within the team. Your contributions will be instrumental in unlocking current opportunities, accelerating growth, and establishing data science as a core strategic asset at Navi. What We Expect From You
- Lead High-Impact Projects: Oversee and manage end-to-end high-priority data science projects across domains by breaking down complex problems, planning timelines, allocating resources, and ensuring timely, high-quality delivery of results.
- Mentorship & Team Development: Mentor and coach a team of data scientists, fostering a culture of continuous learning, professional growth, and technical excellence. Guide team members in their project work and support their career advancement.
- POC & SOTA Solution Delivery: Rapidly solve complex problems by designing and executing quick POCs using state-of-the-art (SOTA) approaches, and deliver
- best-in-class ML solutions that create clear differentiation and business impact.
- Strategic Vision & Innovation: Define the strategic roadmap for the team, set technical direction, and champion the development of data-driven solutions for complex business challenges. Ensure alignment with organizational objectives and foster a culture of innovation.
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Build and nurture strong relationships with stakeholders across business, product, and engineering. Identify opportunities, shape strategic initiatives, and drive the successful integration of data science solutions into core business functions.
- Model Quality & Monitoring Excellence: Establish robust metrics and quality standards for evaluating model performance and business impact. Implement and oversee industry-leading systems for model monitoring to ensure reliability, scalability, and long-term value. Must Haves
- Bachelor’s or higher degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or a quantitative field, with a strong research orientation and at least 7 years of relevant experience in data science
- Deep expertise in modern machine learning techniques, mathematical foundations, and hands-on experience with leading ML frameworks (such as scikit-learn, Keras, TensorFlow, PySpark, MLlib, etc.)
- Extensive experience with distributed computing platforms and scalable data processing (e.G. Spark)
- Advanced programming skills, preferably in Python, Scala, or similar languages, with a track record of delivering robust, production-grade solutions
- Proven ability to lead and deliver large-scale machine learning projects end-to-end—from problem definition, data exploration, and modeling, to deployment and production monitoring
- Demonstrated experience in mentoring junior data scientists, including setting technical direction and driving best practices
- Strong business acumen and the ability to translate complex data-driven insights into actionable strategies that create significant business impact
- Skilled in designing, executing, and scaling A/B or multivariate experiments to validate and optimize data science solutions
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience collaborating across business, product, and engineering functions
- Proven track record of driving innovation and staying current with the latest advancements in machine learning and data science Inside Navi We are shaping the future of financial services for a billion Indians through products that are simple, accessible, and affordable. From Personal & Home Loans to UPI, Insurance, Mutual Funds, and Gold — we’re building tech-first solutions that work at scale, with a strong customer-first approach. Founded by Sachin Bansal & Ankit Agarwal in 2018, we are one of India’s fastest-growing financial services organisations. But we’re just getting started! Our Culture The Navi DNA Ambition. Perseverance. Self-awareness. Ownership. Integrity. We’re looking for people who dream big when it comes to innovation. At Navi, you’ll be empowered with the right mechanisms to work in a dynamic team that builds and improves innovative solutions. If you’re driven to deliver real value to customers, no matter the challenge, this is the place for you. We chase excellence by uplifting each other—and that starts with every one of us. Why You'll Thrive at Navi At Navi, it’s about how you think, build, and grow. You’ll thrive here if:
- You’re impact-driven : You take ownership, build boldly, and care about making a real difference.
- You strive for excellence : Good isn’t valuable enough. You bring focus, precision, and a passion for quality.
- You embrace change : You adapt quickly, move fast, and always put the customer first. Apply on Kit Job: kitjob.in/job/4lkplp