Principal Data Scientist - QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey

McKinsey; Bogotá; On-site; COP 180,000,000 - 270,000,000; Full time

Job summary

McKinsey & Company seeks a senior data scientist to shape and apply cutting-edge ML/AI solutions across industries. You will mentor teams, partner with product managers, data engineers, and clients to deliver measurable value.

You will influence R&D priorities, drive advanced analytics projects, and help translate complex insights into actionable business strategies while collaborating with global experts and leaders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor/Master/PhD in CS/ML/Statistics/Math/Engineering/AI
• 10+ years of deep technical experience in distributed computing, ML and statistics.
• Programming in Python, R, Scala, SQL.
• Proven application of advanced analytical methods in the commercial world.
• Client-facing experience in data warehousing or ML projects.
• Proficiency with PySpark, Databricks, Kedro, Airflow, and cloud tech.
• Willingness to travel.
• Strong presentation and communication in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply cutting-edge ML/AI solutions to drive client impact.
• Mentor data scientists and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Shape R&D roadmap and contribute to strategic AI initiatives.
• Convert complex analytics into actionable business recommendations.

Skills

10+ years experience

Python, R, Scala, SQL

Distributed computing

Data science methods

Client-facing

Cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure)

Docker & Kubernetes

English & Spanish

Leadership experience

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor/Master/PhD in CS/ML/Statistics/Math/Engineering/AI

Tools

PySpark

Databricks

Kedro

Airflow

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges? You’ve come to the right place.

YOUR IMPACT

You will tackle complex data challenges, develop advanced models, and create impactful solutions to optimize client performance across diverse industries. You’ll mentor others, contribute to cutting-edge R&D, and collaborate with world-class talent in a dynamic environment that fosters innovation and growth. You will influence client recommendations by developing data science solutions, writing optimized code, and applying advanced methods to improve performance. You will explore data ecosystems, create statistical models to solve operational challenges, and mentor other data scientists. Additionally, you will shape the QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey R&D roadmap and contribute to deep learning and machine learning research. Your work will create real-world impact. By uncovering insights from complex data and delivering innovative solutions, you will help clients maintain a competitive edge and transform their operations, driving measurable and lasting improvements. You will collaborate closely with data scientists, data engineers, machine learning engineers, designers, and product managers around the world. Together, you’ll work on interdisciplinary projects to solve complex business challenges across a range of industries. Collaborating with QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey leadership, client executives, and technical experts, you will lead the development and application of cutting-edge machine learning and AI solutions to drive measurable business impact. You’ll thrive in an unparalleled environment for growth. You’ll tackle high-impact projects, connect technology with business value, and collaborate with inspiring multidisciplinary teams, gaining a holistic perspective of AI’s transformative potential while growing as a technologist and leader.

YOUR GROWTH

Driving lasting impact and building long-term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high performance/high reward culture - doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward. In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues—at all levels—will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you'll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else. When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning:Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast-paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters:From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
• Global community:With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm’s diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• World-class benefits:On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well‑being for you and your family.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Bachelors, Masters or PhD level in a discipline such as: computer science, machine learning, applied statistics, mathematics, engineering or artificial intelligence
• 10+ years of deep technical experience in distributed computing, machine learning and statistics related work
• Programming experience in languages such as Python, R, Scala, SQL
• Knowledge of distributed computing or NoSQL technologies is a plus
• Proven application of advanced analytical, data science and statistical methods in the commercial world
• Client-facing skills (e.g. working in close-knit teams on topics such as data warehousing, machine learning)
• While we advocate for using the right tech for the right task, we often leverage the following technologies: Python, PySpark, the PyData stack, SQL, Airflow, Databricks, our own open-source data pipelining framework called Kedro, Dask/RAPIDS, container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes, cloud solutions such as AWS, GCP, and Azure, and more.
• Thought leadership or people leadership experience (e.g. managed project teams or direct reports)
• Exceptional time management to meet your responsibilities in a complex and largely autonomous work environment.
• Willingness to travel
• Good presentation and communication skills with a knack for explaining complex analytical concepts to people from other fields
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and Spanish, with the ability to adjust your style to suit different perspectives and seniority levels

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.