Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior ML Engineer

at Lime

🏢 About Lime

Lime is a micromobility leader revolutionizing urban transportation with shared electric scooters and bikes, directly addressing climate change and urban congestion. Their mission-driven focus on sustainability and real-world impact makes them unique, offering engineers the chance to solve complex logistics problems that affect millions of riders globally.

About This Role

This Senior ML Engineer role focuses on optimizing Lime's core operations through demand forecasting and vehicle positioning algorithms, directly impacting rider availability and fleet efficiency. You'll execute multi-year ML strategy at global scale while mentoring engineers, making this a high-impact technical leadership position.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves analyzing fleet performance data to identify optimization opportunities, collaborating with operations teams on deployment strategies, refining positioning algorithms based on real-world feedback, and mentoring junior engineers on ML best practices. You'll balance hands-on coding with strategic planning for Lime's multi-year ML roadmap.

🎯 Who Lime Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years building production ML systems with demonstrated experience scaling algorithms (not just prototyping)
  • Possesses strong Python skills with PyTorch/TensorFlow experience and can demonstrate SQL/Spark/Pandas proficiency for large-scale mobility data
  • Can show specific examples of turning data insights into business value, particularly in logistics, supply chain, or spatial optimization domains
  • Has experience mentoring engineers and driving ML strategy, not just individual contributor work

📝 Tips for Applying to Lime

1

Highlight specific experience with spatial/temporal forecasting models (time series, geospatial ML) rather than generic ML projects

2

Quantify impact in previous roles using metrics like 'reduced vehicle downtime by X%' or 'improved forecast accuracy by Y%'

3

Demonstrate understanding of Lime's operational challenges by mentioning specific use cases like rebalancing, demand prediction, or maintenance optimization

4

Show experience with production ML systems at scale - mention specific technologies and deployment challenges you've overcome

5

Tailor your resume to emphasize collaboration with operations/product teams, not just technical achievements

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain why Lime's sustainability mission resonates with you personally and professionally", 'Describe a specific project where you scaled ML systems in production, emphasizing measurable business impact', 'Highlight experience with spatial data or logistics optimization relevant to scooter/bike positioning', "Mention mentoring experience and how you've raised team ML capabilities"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Study Lime's expansion patterns and operational challenges in different cities (density, regulations, competition)
  • Research micromobility industry trends, especially around rebalancing algorithms and demand prediction
  • Understand Lime's sustainability reports and environmental impact goals
  • Look into Lime's tech blog or engineering talks for insights into their current ML stack and challenges

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a demand forecasting system for scooters in a new city with limited historical data?
2 Describe your approach to taking an ML model from prototype to production at global scale, including monitoring and maintenance
3 How have you collaborated with operations teams to translate business needs into ML solutions?
4 What metrics would you track to measure the success of Lime's vehicle positioning algorithms?
5 Walk through a time you mentored engineers on ML best practices and the impact it had
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on academic ML projects without production deployment experience
  • Not demonstrating understanding of Lime's specific business model and operational constraints
  • Presenting generic ML experience without tailoring to spatial/temporal or logistics problems

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Lime!