Lead Data Scientist

Babcock International; Stoke Gifford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering company in the UK is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to manage a team and develop Python-based solutions for the Royal Navy's projects. This full-time role includes leading analytics initiatives, collaborating with stakeholders, and delivering high-quality software outcomes in a fast-paced environment. Candidates should possess strong leadership skills and a relevant degree, along with proficiency in Python and data visualization tools. The position is on-site and offers an excellent benefits package.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to a Digital GP

Employee share scheme

Holiday Trading benefits

Excellent development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in delivering high-quality software and analytical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data analysts.
• Manage workloads and ensure effective delivery of analytics services.
• Design and implement Python-based analytical solutions.

Skills

Python programming

Team leadership

Problem-solving

Data visualisation

Excel proficiency

Power BI

Education

Relevant degree (Maths, IT, Software, Data Science, etc.)

Job description

As a Lead Data Scientist, you'll play a pivotal role in delivering innovative modelling, analytics and software solutions that directly support the Royal Navy's strategic submarine maintenance and disposal programme. Day-to-day, you'll lead and mentor a small team of data analysts, managing development workflows, prioritising analytical workloads and designing and implementing robust Python-based capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Leading and motivating a high-performing team to design, deliver and operate advanced analysis services aligned to programme requirements.
• Prioritising and coordinating software development and data analytics workloads to meet evolving customer demands.
• Developing high-quality software, modelling and analytical solutions in python using modern development practices and toolsets.
• Building deep business knowledge of submarine operations to design innovative modelling, optimisation and algorithmic approaches.
• Engaging stakeholders, operating models, visualising outputs clearly and ensuring validated, coherent master data.

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site at Babcock Technology Centre.

Qualifications

• Experience writing Python to deliver integrated solutions to complex analytical challenges.
• Proven leadership of small teams delivering software and analytics projects in fast-paced environments.
• Strong problem‑solving and communication skills, able to explain complex concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Strong ownership and reliability, delivering high‑quality outcomes and adapting to shifting priorities.
• Highly collaborative, with strong Excel problem‑solving skills and proficiency visualising complex data to stakeholders. Experience using Power BI is preferred. A relevant degree such as Maths, IT, Software, Computer Science, Data Science, Physics or Computing.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

We're Babcock - a global FTSE 100 organisation with over 26,000 people working together to make a difference. Here, you'll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we're building a future that lasts - not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work‑life balance.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Benefits

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10‑days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. There is an annual Window to request this benefit. 'Be Kind Day' enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.