Credit Data Scientist at Ford Motor Company in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

About Ford

Ford Motor Company, a global leader in the automotive industry, is revolutionizing mobility with innovative vehicles, autonomous driving technology, and connected services. With over 120 years of history, Ford employs more than 180,000 people worldwide, driving progress in electric vehicles and smart manufacturing. In India, Ford's Chennai operations serve as a hub for advanced analytics and finance innovation, supporting our mission to create a better world through exceptional products and services.

Role Overview

As a Credit Data Scientist at Ford in Chennai, you will play a pivotal role in our Credit Risk Analytics team. Formerly titled Credit Risk Modeler, this position focuses on harnessing data science to build sophisticated models that assess credit risk in automotive financing. You will work with vast datasets from vehicle loans, leases, and financing portfolios to deliver actionable insights that drive smarter lending decisions and minimize risk exposure.

This full-time role offers the chance to apply cutting-edge machine learning and statistical techniques in a real-world automotive context, contributing directly to Ford's financial health and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Model Development and Deployment

Design, develop, and deploy predictive credit risk models using Python, R, and machine learning frameworks. Integrate models into production systems for seamless use in credit underwriting processes.

Data Analysis and Insight Generation

Analyze terabytes of structured and unstructured data from customer profiles, transaction histories, and macroeconomic indicators to identify patterns and predict defaults accurately.

Collaboration and Optimization

Partner with cross-functional teams including finance, product, and engineering to refine lending strategies, enhance model interpretability, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards like RBI guidelines.

Model Validation and Monitoring

Conduct rigorous back-testing, stress testing, and performance monitoring of models. Implement A/B testing and continuous improvement cycles to maintain model accuracy over time.

Innovation in Automotive Finance

Explore emerging technologies like AI-driven fraud detection and alternative data sources to pioneer next-generation credit assessment tools tailored to the automotive sector.

Qualifications & Requirements

To excel in this role, candidates should possess:

• Master's or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 3-5 years of hands-on experience in credit risk modeling, preferably in BFSI or automotive finance.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python, R, and SQL; familiarity with big data tools like Spark or Hadoop.
• Strong foundation in machine learning algorithms (e.g., logistic regression, random forests, gradient boosting, neural networks) and statistical methods.
• Experience with model deployment on cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and version control (Git).
• Excellent communication skills to translate complex findings into business recommendations.

Ford values diversity and encourages applications from underrepresented groups in tech.

Benefits & Perks

Ford offers a premium compensation package designed to attract top talent:

• Estimated salary range of ₹65-95 lakhs per annum, with performance-based bonuses up to 20%.
• World-class health insurance covering family, including mental health support.
• Generous paid time off, parental leave, and flexible hybrid work model.
• Learning stipends for certifications (e.g., AWS ML, Google Data Analytics) and access to Ford's internal university.
• Employee perks like gym memberships, electric vehicle discounts, and stock options.

Career Growth

At Ford, your career trajectory is limitless. This role opens doors to senior data science positions, leadership in AI centers of excellence, or global rotations across Ford's finance analytics teams. We invest in your growth through mentorship programs, hackathons, and conferences like NeurIPS or KDD. Many alumni have advanced to Director-level roles within 5 years.

Why Join Us

Join Ford in Chennai to be at the intersection of automotive innovation and data science. Work on high-impact projects that shape the future of mobility finance, backed by a collaborative culture that values work-life balance and innovation. Chennai's vibrant tech ecosystem, combined with Ford's global resources, positions you for unparalleled success.

Role FAQs

What is the experience level required?

Mid-level role requiring 3+ years in data science or risk modeling.

Is relocation assistance provided?

Yes, for exceptional candidates from outside Chennai.

What tools does the team use?

Primarily Python ecosystem, Databricks, Tableau, and cloud ML services.

Is this a hybrid role?

Yes, 3 days in-office at our state-of-the-art Chennai facility.

How does Ford support professional development?

Through personalized career plans, tuition reimbursement, and leadership training.

Apply now to drive Ford's data-driven future! (Word count: 1028)