Founded in 1986, Nucleus Software is an Indian IP product company specialising in financial technology. The company focuses on developing and selling its own software solutions. Tailored for the banking industry, its key products, FinnOne Neo and FinnAxia, cater to lending and transaction banking needs. 

These solutions aid banks in optimising processes, efficiently managing loans, and delivering innovative financial services. With a presence in 50 countries and a client base exceeding 200, some of its notable customers include State Bank of India, Citi Bank, ICICI Bank, Tata Capital, and Mahindra Finance.

The team has successfully applied AI and analytics in various business scenarios, including fraud detection in transaction banking, business optimisation through insights generation, natural language processing, real-time decisioning systems, AI-powered chatbots, auto summarisation, and hyper-personalised customer communications. 

AIM got in touch with Abhishek Pallav, associate vice president, Nucleus Software, to understand the AI activities of the company and the kind of people it looks for.

Inside Nucleus Software’s AI & Analytics Lab

In terms of implementing AI and ML solutions, Pallav said that Nucleus has developed a foundational framework for its AI components, ensuring reliability and scalability in the dynamic financial services sector. 

The application of AI and ML is evident in the real-time fraud detection engine within the transaction banking platform, natural language processing, customer satisfaction improvement, revenue increase, cost reduction, and operational optimisation for financial institutions. 

The company also leverages an in-house chatbot for L1 and L2 production support.

Regarding generative AI, Nucleus Software strategically deploys tailored solutions to enhance service operations and improve customer experience. This approach enables data access democratisation and the extraction of value from unstructured data. 

“We are in the process of building systems around generative AI and have developed use cases around customer behaviour and transaction history,” Pallav told AIM.

Interview Process 

“When it comes to hiring for data science roles, We look for candidates who have strong technical and domain acumen,” said Pallav, highlighting that the company seeks candidates with strong problem-solving skills for real-world data science scenarios. Proficiency in machine learning and deep learning, particularly in areas like finance, retail banking, fraud prevention, and hyper-personalisation, is highly valued. 

Preference is given to candidates from premier engineering colleges with a background in mathematics, computer science, and AI certifications.

Pallav elaborated that the hiring process for data science candidates begins with a written test evaluating IQ and logical reasoning, followed by two technical discussion rounds. The process concludes with an HR round. 

The written test, conducted online through the company’s platform, includes multiple-choice questions related to the domain and coding problems. Candidates are given a defined time window to complete the test.

Tech Skills Needed

Nucleus Software is currently hiring for five data science roles in Noida. 

The positions include ML engineer, lead data scientist, lead data engineer, data architect, and data and analytics manager. Candidates with experience in the retail banking domain are preferred. The minimum qualifications needed include a BTech in computer science from a premier institute. 

In terms of tech tools, applications, and frameworks, Nucleus Software employs a variety of them for natural language processing, computer vision, directed acyclic graph (DAG), hyper-personalisation, and explainability in its product R&D. 

The desired skills for candidates include proficiency in tools and frameworks such as Python, Pyspark, Spark, Kafka, Hive, and SQL. The knowledge of BI tools is desirable. Candidates should have expertise in various data science techniques, including analytics using AI/ML, deep learning, statistical modelling, time series analysis, and test & learn. The company values candidates who align with their core values of innovation, result orientation, collaboration with integrity, and mutual respect.

Nucleus Software’s products are built on cutting-edge technologies, are platform-agnostic, web-based, cloud-native, and powered by AI capabilities. 

Expectations

“Upon joining, an associate goes through a specialised training program offered by Nucleus School of Banking Technology, where they become domain experts,” said Pallav, emphasising that after completing the program, associates join the Build R&D team. 

However, Pallav explained that he has often observed candidates making the common mistake of adopting an overly generic approach. The company emphasises the need for a holistic approach to value delivery, coupled with strong analytical and logical skills.

Work Culture

Nucleus Software values its employees as crucial assets. This is evident in its various programs that promote employee well-being, such as job enrichment initiatives, competitive compensation, recreational activities, family outings, and diversity and inclusion programs. 

Currently following a hybrid work approach, the company prioritises upskilling with a range of online courses, expert-led training, and on-the-job mentoring. It believes in supporting employees in their professional development. Additionally, the company stands out by offering educational reimbursement for these courses and certifications.

According to Pallav, the work culture at Nucleus is distinguished by its commitment to inclusivity, diversity, engagement, and security. “For candidates driven by challenges, we offer a plethora of complex business use cases. These opportunities not only enhance your technical knowledge but also contribute to enriching your work experience, paving the way for you to become a top-tier professional,” concluded Pallav. 

Find more about the job opportunities here.