Lead Data Scientist

Job Title: Lead Data ScientistDepartment: Data ScienceLocation: BengaluruAbout StepOutSports have an access problem. For decades, elite performance intelligence, tactical analysis, and scouting infrastructure have been accessible only to the top clubs. Everyone else has been left behind. StepOut is changing that. We are building an AI-powered football intelligence platform that transforms raw match footage into structured performance data, tactical insights, and scouting intelligence using proprietary computer vision and machine learning.We are building this from India, while our technology is being used by clubs like Real Madrid and AFC Ajax, along with leading football ecosystems across 29 countries globally.If football means something to you beyond entertainment, this might be your place.The RoleWe’re looking for a Lead Data Scientist to help build intelligent systems that understand football at scale.This is not a research-only role. This is not a notebook-only role.This is an innovative builder’s role.You will create production-grade machine learning systems that directly influence how clubs, coaches, scouts, and players make decisions.As a lead, your role goes beyond building models. You will define technical direction, shape the data science function, mentor talent, and help create the foundations of what this team becomes.What You’ll DoBuild and deploy end-to-end ML systems for football intelligence productsTranslate football concepts into scalable data models, metrics, and decision systemsOwn the full ML lifecycle: experimentation, deployment, monitoring, and iterationWork closely with Product, Engineering, and Computer Vision teams to solve real-world problemsDebug messy, imperfect data and design reliable analytical pipelinesDefine technical direction for the data science functionMentor junior team members and raise engineering and analytical standardsHelp hire and shape the future data science teamDrive prioritization and decision-making in ambiguous, fast-moving environmentsConstantly engage in learning new and upcoming research topics and subjects in sports analyticsObtain a deep and implementational level understanding of established advanced analytical research areas and modelsMust-HavesStrong ML fundamentals across supervised and unsupervised learning, experimentation, and model evaluationStrong Python, SQL, data analysis, and production engineering mindsetExperience taking ML systems from idea to productionStrong ownership, judgment, and decision-making abilityAbility to communicate clearly with both technical and business stakeholdersFootball Passion (Mandatory)You must actively follow football and genuinely understand the game.Formations, tactical systems, player roles, match flow, performance context - these should feel natural to you.Good to HaveComputer vision experience (YOLO, tracking, PyTorch, TensorFlow)Sports analytics experienceLLM or agentic AI experiencePublic ML or football analytics work (GitHub, blogs, research)Who Will Thrive HereThis role is for someone who sees football as more than just a sport.Someone who debates tactics, spots patterns others miss, and gets excited by the idea of building technology that changes how the game is understood.You’ll thrive here if you:Love football deeply, not casuallyLove building from scratchThrive in ambiguity and move fast without waiting for perfect instructionsWant ownership, accountability, and meaningful impactGet excited by the idea of your work being used by elite football organizationsBelieve technology can fundamentally reshape sportWant to be part of something bigger than just another jobWhy StepOutBecause opportunities like this are rare.Where else can you:Build cutting-edge AI for footballSolve hard problems at the intersection of sport and technologyCreate products used by elite clubs globallyBuild a global company from IndiaShape an entire function from the ground upContribute to a mission bigger than businessWe are building from a country ranked 142nd in world football, with the belief that world-class football infrastructure can be built from here. But this is bigger than software. Our long-term dream is to help build the infrastructure that contributes to India playing in a FIFA World Cup.If that sounds unrealistic, even better.“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Steve JobsAt StepOut, we are building technology that sits at the cutting edge of football and artificial intelligence. If you are ready to contribute your precision and curiosity to a team that is reshaping how the game is understood — this is your opportunity⚽