At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build optimisation models for last-mile delivery decisions.
- Company: Join Relay, a fast-growing logistics startup backed by major investors.
- Benefits: Generous equity, private health coverage, 25 days holiday, and more perks.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on e-commerce by optimising delivery systems.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational research and coding in Python or similar languages.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Relay is fundamentally reshaping how goods move in an online era. Backed by Europe’s largest-ever logistics Series A ($35M), Relay is scaling faster than 99.98% of venture-backed startups. Our mission is to free commerce from friction, envisioning a world where more goods move freely between people, making the online shopping experience seamless and accessible.
The team consists of ~110 people, with more than half in engineering, product, and data, including 45+ advanced degrees across computer science, mathematics, and operations research. We capture, calculate, analyse, and predict thousands of data points for every parcel we handle, fostering an intellectually vibrant culture of first-principles thinking, tight feedback loops, and relentless experimentation.
The opportunity involves optimising decisions in a last-mile marketplace, such as which parcels to deliver, on which routes, by which couriers, and at what price. As the first Operational Research Scientist in Last Mile Marketplace, you will design, build, and evolve optimisation models and solvers that are central to Relay's last-mile network. This role is a senior individual contributor position within Relay’s Data function, working alongside Data Scientists, Analysts, and Engineers.
What You’ll Do:
- Translate operational requirements into optimisation models across scheduling, assignment, and pricing problems.
- Develop and evaluate solution approaches using mathematical programming and meta-heuristics.
- Design and build bespoke algorithms, heuristics, and solvers for unique problems.
- Ensure solutions are scalable and adaptable to our growing operation.
- Benchmark and evaluate the performance of your solutions.
- Collaborate with engineering to productionise solutions into automated daily processes.
- Work with analytics to monitor daily performance and proactively evolve solutions.
Who Will Thrive in This Role?
- You want to be close to the problems you are optimising and see the outcomes of your work firsthand.
- You have relevant operational research experience in heuristics and/or mathematical programming.
- You are comfortable coding in languages such as Python, Rust, Julia, or C++.
- You enjoy solving large-scale optimisation problems and are motivated to work on production systems.
- You love understanding problems deeply and crafting bespoke solutions.
- You are excited to work in a cross-functional tech team.
- You care about the people affected by your work — couriers, retailers, and consumers.
Fast and Focused Hiring Process:
- Talent Acquisition Interview - 30mins | Online
- Hiring Manager Interview - 45mins
- Python Live Coding - 60mins
- Case Study - 60mins
- Relay Operating Principles & Impact - 60mins
- Decision and offer within 48 hours.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Generous equity, richer than 99% of European startups, with annual top-ups.
- Private health & dental coverage.
- 25 days of holidays.
- Enhanced parental leave.
- Hardware of your choice.
- Extensive perks (gym subsidies, cycle-to-work, Friday office lunch, covered Uber home and dinner for late nights, and more).
Who Thrives at Relay?
- Aim with Precision: Define problems clearly and measure impact meticulously.
- Play to Win: Chase bold bets and tackle hard challenges.
- 1% Better Every Day: Believe in small, consistent improvements.
- All In, All the Time: Take ownership and deliver results.
- People-Powered Greatness: Invest in teammates and build trust.
- Grow the Whole Pie: Seek win-win solutions for all stakeholders.
Relay is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and fostering a workplace where everyone thrives.
Senior OR Scientist, Last-Mile Optimization employer: Relay
Relay is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and intellectually stimulating work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. With generous equity options, comprehensive health benefits, and a commitment to employee growth through hands-on problem-solving in a fast-paced environment, Relay empowers its team to make impactful decisions that shape the future of logistics. Located in a dynamic sector, employees enjoy unique perks and a supportive atmosphere that fosters both personal and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior OR Scientist, Last-Mile Optimization
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with current Relay employees on LinkedIn. A personal introduction can make all the difference when it comes to landing that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by diving deep into Relay's mission and values. Understand how your skills in operational research and optimisation can directly contribute to their goal of making commerce frictionless. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice coding challenges relevant to the role. Brush up on Python or any other language mentioned in the job description. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills and get comfortable with live coding sessions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Relay team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior OR Scientist, Last-Mile Optimization
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior OR Scientist role. Highlight your experience in operational research, optimisation models, and any relevant coding skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Relay!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t just list your skills—demonstrate them! Share specific examples of large-scale optimisation problems you've tackled and the impact of your solutions. This will help us understand your hands-on approach to decision-making.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your written application. We value authenticity and want to know what drives you. Share your passion for logistics and how you envision contributing to a frictionless commerce experience at Relay.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Relay
✨Know Your Optimisation Models
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of optimisation models, especially in scheduling, assignment, and pricing problems. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these concepts in real-world scenarios, as this will show your understanding and experience in the field.
✨Showcase Your Coding Skills
Since coding is a big part of this role, practice your Python, Rust, Julia, or C++ skills before the interview. You might face a live coding challenge, so be prepared to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities through code. Think about how you can optimise algorithms and solvers during this exercise.
✨Understand Relay's Mission
Familiarise yourself with Relay's mission to free commerce from friction. Be ready to discuss how your work as an Operational Research Scientist can contribute to this goal. Showing that you align with their vision will make a strong impression.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role involves working closely with Data Scientists, Analysts, and Engineers. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams. Highlight your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and how you’ve contributed to team success.
