Lead Applied Scientist

The Applied Scientist in the MAPS POIs team contributes to the design, development, and continuous improvement of data-driven and machine-learning solutions that enhance the accuracy, coverage, and usability of TomTom’s maps and Points of Interest products. This role applies scientific and analytical methods to solve complex, real-world problems at scale, translating data and models into reliable, production-ready solutions that create value for TomTom customers and internal stakeholders.

What you'll do:

As an experienced Applied Scientist, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering scalable AI/ML solutions within the POI domain. You will operate across complex challenges, driving both the technical direction and execution of high-impact initiatives across teams.

You will:

• Lead the design, implementation, and integration of scalable AI/ML systems and services within the POI domain, setting direction for critical technical components

• Own and deliver end-to-end AI/ML solutions for large-scale, high-impact initiatives, ensuring quality, scalability, and long-term maintainability

• Solve complex, ambiguous problems, defining approaches where no clear path exists and applying innovative, data-driven solutions

• Design and develop advanced, production-grade algorithmic solutions and ML models that address challenging real-world use cases at scale

• Shape the technical architecture within your domain, making decisions that influence systems across teams and long-term platform evolution

• Proactively identify risks, trade-offs, and technical dependencies, driving alignment and resolution across stakeholders

• Champion best practices and continuously raise the bar on model development, system design, and engineering excellence

• Produce high-quality, production-level code and lead by example through thoughtful and impactful code reviews

• Act as a go-to expert within the team, providing technical leadership and guidance in your area of expertise

• Mentor Applied Scientists (Levels I–III), supporting their growth and strengthening the overall capability of the team

• Collaborate across teams and influence Product Managers, Program Managers, and leadership on AI/ML strategy, solutions, and trade-offs

What you'll need:

• Strong, up-to-date expertise in Applied Science and Machine Learning techniques, ideally within POI, geospatial, or similarly data-intensive domains

• Proven ability to design, build, and deploy scalable AI/ML systems in production, making high-quality technical decisions that balance performance, scalability, and maintainability

• Demonstrated ability to solve complex, ambiguous problems, defining approaches where no clear precedent exists and driving solutions from concept to production

• Experience developing advanced algorithmic solutions and ML models that address real-world challenges at scale

• Strong understanding of system design and architecture, with the ability to shape technical direction and influence decisions beyond your immediate team

• Deep understanding of product context and domain-specific systems, enabling sound decision-making and effective evaluation of trade-offs

• Strong coding skills, with a focus on writing efficient, maintainable, and production-quality code in a collaborative environment

• Experience identifying and resolving technical risks, dependencies, and large-scale system challenges (e.g., refactoring, migrations, performance improvements)

• Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and ownership, managing multiple priorities in complex environments

• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across disciplines and explain complex concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

• Experience mentoring others and contributing to raising the bar on team capability, ways of working, and engineering excellence

Ways of working

• Operates with good level of autonomy on defined problem areas, seeking input for complex or high-impact decisions.

• Handles problems of medium to high complexity that may involve evolving requirements, data limitations, or system dependencies.

• Makes technical decisions within agreed scope and contributes to broader design discussions.

• Works in close collaboration with other Applied Scientists, Engineers, and Product stakeholders using shared planning and review processes.

Growth, Learning & Skill Development

This role supports continuous development by enabling deeper technical expertise, broader domain understanding, and increased ownership over more complex or higher-impact problems. Progression occurs through demonstrated skill growth, expanded decision-making scope, and sustained delivery of measurable outcomes, rather than tenure or background.

At TomTom, we value roles that can be compared fairly across teams and functions. This position is defined by skills, responsibilities, and contribution, supporting transparent pay setting, equitable evaluation, and internal mobility opportunities for all employees.

What we offer

A competitive compensation package, of course.

Time and resources to grow and develop, including a personal development budget and paid leave for learning days, as well as paid access to e-learning resources such as O’Reilly and LinkedIn Learning.

Time to support life outside of work, with enhanced parental leave plus paid leave to care for loved ones and volunteer in local communities.

Work flexibility, where TomTom’ers, in agreement with their manager and team, use both the office and home to focus, collaborate, learn and socialize. It’s all about getting the best out of both worlds – we ask TomTom’ers to come to the office two days a week, and the remaining three are free to be worked in either location.

Improve your home office with a setup budget and get extra support with a monthly allowance.

Enjoy options to work from your home country and abroad for a set number of days each year, to visit family and friends, or to simply explore the world we’re mapping.

Take the holidays you want with a competitive holiday plan, plus an extra day off to celebrate your birthday.

Join annual events like our Hackathon and DevDays to bring your ideas to life with talented teammates from around the world.

Become a part of our inclusive global culture and have the chance to collaborate with a diverse community – we have over 80 nationalities at TomTom!

Find out more about our global benefits and enjoy additional local benefits tailored to your location.

Meet your team

We’re Maps, a global team within TomTom’s Location Technology Products technical unit. Our team is driven to deliver the most up-to-date, accurate and detailed maps for hundreds of millions of users around the world. Joining our team, you’ll continuously innovate our mapmaking processes, directly contributing to our vision: engineering the world's most trusted and useful map.

At TomTom...

You’ll help people find their way in the world. In 2004, TomTom revolutionized how the world moves with the introduction of the first portable navigation device. Now, we intend to do it again by engineering the first-ever real-time map, the smartest and most useful map on the planet.

Work with a team of 3,300+ unique, curious and passionate problem-solvers. Together, we’ll open up a world of possibilities for car manufacturers, enterprises and developers to help people understand and get closer to the world around them.

After you apply

Our recruitment team will work hard to give you a meaningful experience throughout your journey with us, no matter the outcome. Your application will be screened closely and you can rest assured that all follow-up actions will be thorough, from assessments and interviews all the way through onboarding. To find out more about our application process, check out our hiring FAQs.

TomTom is an equal opportunity employer

TomTom is where you can find your place in the world. Every day we welcome, nurture and celebrate differences. Why? Because your uniqueness is what makes you, you. No matter your culture or background, you’ll find your impact at TomTom. Research also shows that sometimes women and underrepresented communities can be hesitant to apply for positions unless they believe they meet 100% of the criteria. If you can relate to this, please know that we’d love to hear from you.