Data Scientist

National Grid; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy provider in the UK is seeking a Data Scientist to support their Electricity Distribution team. You will develop machine learning models and provide insights across various business functions. This hybrid role requires collaboration with data engineers and stakeholders to optimize model deployment. Strong skills in Python, SQL, and machine learning frameworks are essential. The position offers a competitive salary between £55,000 - £65,000 and various career benefits including flexibility and professional development support.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Professional development support

Digital GP services

Flexible benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in developing and deploying machine learning models.
• Strong SQL skills for data querying and manipulation.
• Exceptional communication skills for explaining complex technical concepts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy AI solutions addressing business challenges.
• Collaborate with teams to integrate models into production.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to uncover insights.

Skills

Data analysis

Machine learning

Statistical analysis

Python

SQL

Stakeholder management

Tools

AWS SageMaker

TensorFlow

Power BI

Spark

Git

Docker

Job description

About us

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it’s so much more than that. National Grid supplies us with the environment to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don’t plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So, join us as a Data Scientist and find your superpower.

National Grid is hiring a Data Scientist for our Electricity Distribution (NGED) team. This role is designated as hybrid, with an expectation of one or two days per month in one of our offices. Requirements may vary based on business needs and company policy.

About the Role

Reporting to the Lead Data Scientist, the Data Scientist will be responsible for developing, implementing, and optimising machine learning and advanced analytical solutions to support decision-making across NGED. This role involves collaborating with data engineers, insight analysts, and key stakeholders to extract value from data, ensuring that AI and predictive models align with business goals and operational needs.

The Data Scientist will apply statistical and machine learning techniques to develop high-quality models, automate data-driven processes, and provide actionable insights. They will work within cloud environments and utilise modern MLOps practices to streamline model deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement.

This role also contributes to the organisation's data science strategy, ensuring ethical AI principles, best practices in model governance, and a data‐driven culture are embedded across the business.

What You'll Do

• Develop and deploy machine learning models and AI solutions that address business challenges and improve operational efficiencies.
• Collaborate with data engineers and insight analysts to build scalable data pipelines and integrate models into production environments.
• Apply statistical analysis, predictive modelling, and optimisation techniques to structured and unstructured data.
• Implement MLOps best practices, ensuring automated model training, versioning, monitoring, and governance. Support the development of NGED’s AI strategy, contributing to ethical AI and responsible machine learning adoption.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis (EDA) to understand datasets, identify trends, and derive business insights.
• Work closely with stakeholders to translate business needs into data science use‑cases and recommend appropriate methodologies.
• Optimise and validate machine learning models, ensuring robustness, scalability, and explainability.
• Contribute to research and innovation within data science, exploring new methodologies and staying updated with industry advancements.
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of technical documentation, ensuring transparency in data science processes and decisions.
• Participate in Agile development processes, contributing to iterative model development, feedback loops, and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy, security, and regulatory requirements when handling sensitive data.
• Share best practices and foster a collaborative, learning‑driven team environment.

About You

• Strong decision‑making skills, analytical mindset, and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex models to non‑technical audiences.
• Experience working within Agile development frameworks, including Scrum and Kanban.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within cross‑functional teams and influence decision‑making through data‑driven insights.
• Proficiency in Python and/or R, with experience in machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit‑learn.
• Strong SQL skills for querying and transforming structured datasets.
• Experience with cloud‑based AI platforms such as AWS SageMaker, Azure ML, or Google Vertex AI.
• Understanding of MLOps practices, including CI/CD for ML, automated re‑training, and model monitoring.
• Hands‑on experience with big data technologies such as Spark, Databricks, or Snowflake.
• Knowledge of data governance, ethical AI principles, and regulatory compliance in machine learning applications.
• Ability to conduct exploratory data analysis (EDA) and visualise insights using BI tools (Power BI, Tableau, etc.).
• Familiarity with version control systems (Git) and containerisation technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) for deploying ML models.
• Experience in mentoring junior team members and fostering a culture of knowledge sharing.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for everyone. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.

What You'll Get

• Competitive Salary: circa £55,000 - £65,000 per annum (dependent on location, capability, and experience).

Additional benefits

• Flexible benefits such as a cycle scheme, share incentive plan, technology schemes
• Ongoing career development and support to help you cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, course fees, books, examination fees and time off for study leave – so long as it is relevant to your role
• Access to apps such as digital GP service for round the clock access to GP video consultations and NHS repeat prescriptions, wellbeing app to support your health and fitness
• Access to Work + Family Space, providing support and resources for work and family life, including paid emergency childcare and eldercare