Coupang is one of the largest and fastest growing E-commerce platforms on the planet. Our vision is to create a world in which Customers ask “How did I ever live without Coupang?” We are looking for passionate builders to help us get there. Powered by world-class technology and operations, we have set out to transform the end-to-end Customer experience -- from revolutionizing last-mile delivery to rethinking how Customers search and discover on a truly mobile-first platform. We have been named one of the “50 Smartest Companies in the World” by MIT Technology Review and “30 Global Game Changers” by Forbes. Coupang is a global company with offices in Beijing, Los Angeles, Seattle, Seoul, Shanghai, and Silicon Valley."

This role will be responsible for applying Math and Science to solve complex operational problems, in both the logistics/delivery and fulfillment spaces. At Coupang we are focused on optimizing our transportation network and ensuring that the company is able to deliver our customers’ products to them as quickly, accurately, and cost effectively as possible. We manage the flow of packages from fulfillment centers (FCs) to both carrier hubs and Coupang Logistics’ sort centers and delivery stations. Optimizing these package flows requires managing, scheduling, and routing line haul trucks and last mile delivery vehicles. Areas of focus will be the applying traveling salesman problem, optimizing lane configuration for the fulfillment centers, defining delivery areas for last mile stations, and applying machine learning to improve driver affinity and rate the overall effectiveness of delivery associates among other projects.
The Principal Research Scientist will focus on modeling and solution approaches for the planning transportation resources and integrating with the network design. We are looking for a motivated individual with a recognized background in mathematical optimization, including numerical solution of continuous and discrete problems using exact, approximation algorithms, and heuristic methods. person should have current or prior academic experience with a heavy practical consultative component, or industry experience conducting research in the area of mathematical/statistical modeling and analysis.
The analyses and models produced by the team will guide business decisions by highlighting opportunities, identifying correlations, defining experiments, and determining cause and effect relationships. You will partner closely with many groups such as operations, IT, retail, and finance teams to support various business initiatives.
The candidate will work closely with Operations leadership to construct models, perform analyses, and derive relevant metrics. The candidate must have the skills to clearly articulate the strategy, business impact, and technical challenges of each proposal.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have the following optimization experience and skills:
· Ph.D. in Operations Research, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science or a related field with publications in refereed academic journals.
· Use predictive modelling to manage the performance of a flexible logistics workforce
· At least 8 years of experience in solving complicated optimization and machine learning problems for transportation networks or analogous disciplines developing a strategy for large-scale networks.
· Excellent writing skills for presenting business cases and to document the models and analysis and present the results/conclusions in order to influence important decisions.
· A working knowledge of smooth and non-smooth optimization methods accompanied by associated expertise in the use of tools and the latest technology (e.g. CPLEX, Gurobi, XPRESS).
· A working knowledge of exact, approximation algorithms, and heuristic methods for solving difficult optimization problems like vehicle routing and network design problems.
· The ability to implement models and tools through the use of high-level modeling languages (e.g. AMPL, Mosel, R, Matlab).
· Experience prototyping and developing software in traditional programming languages (C++, Java, Clojure, Python).
· Familiarity with SQL and experience with very large-scale data.
· Statistical analysis, machine learning and data-modeling in a database environment is a plus.

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Exhibits excellent judgment
  · Thinks strategically, but stays on top of tactical execution
  · Thinks big and has convictions
  · Results oriented
• Experience designing and implementing transportation optimization models with focus on volume and route planning and re-planning; labor and facilities planning.

Perks:

Autonomy to make decisions in a rapidly growing company

Free medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees

401K matching

Catering lunches thrice in a week

Pre-IPO stock options

Mobile & fitness reimbursement

Flexible working hours

Coupang is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, transgender status), national origin, age, disability, medical condition, HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C status, marital status, military or veteran status, use of a trained dog guide or service animal, political activities, affiliations, citizenship, or any other characteristic or class protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.
If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation in the application or recruiting process due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected].