Principal Data Scientist

Aristocrat Gaming; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Aristocrat in London is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead high-impact data science initiatives that improve gameplay and business outcomes.

You will build and deploy ML and RL solutions, define evaluation frameworks, and partner with game teams to translate insights into actions. A PhD/MSc and 5+ years in the field are expected, with strong SQL/Python and MLOps experience.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional data science experience with production ML products.
• Experience in clustering, predictive modeling, reinforcement learning, and Bayesian statistics.
• Hands-on software engineering, MLOps, and deploying models at scale.
• SQL, Python proficiency; familiarity with Kafka, Spark, and cloud platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end data science initiatives from framing to impact measurement.
• Build ML and RL solutions to boost engagement and monetization.
• Define modeling framework with causal inference and bandits.
• Partner with game teams to define success metrics and decision rules.
• Ensure model development standards, validation, reproducibility, and bias checks.
• Drive scalable experimentation with A/B tests and bandits.

Skills

Data science leadership

ML product delivery

Predictive modeling

Reinforcement learning

SQL / Python

MLOps

Education

PhD or MSc in data science

Equivalent practical experience

Tools

Kafka

Spark

AWS

GCP

Azure

Job description

Are you ready to join a world-class team and make a significant impact on the gaming industry? At Aristocrat, we aim to bring happiness to life through the power of play. We seek a Principal Data Scientist to help us reach our ambitious goals. You will have a vital role in enhancing gameplay, boosting player engagement, and improving business outcomes with your advanced data expertise. This opportunity allows you to work on innovative projects, collaborate with diverse teams, and guide critical initiatives that will develop the future of our leading games.

What You'll Do

• Lead high-impact data science initiatives end-to-end, including problem framing, methodology selection, experiment development, implementation partnership, and impact measurement.
• Build and deliver machine learning and reinforcement learning solutions to improve player engagement, retention, monetization, and operational outcomes.
• Lead the modeling framework for complex systems, guaranteeing comprehensive evaluation and monitoring of causal inference, uplift modeling, sequential decisioning, bandits/reinforcement learning, and forecasting.
• Partner with game teams to define success metrics, guardrails, and decision frameworks, translating analytical results into actionable product and operational actions.
• Define and uphold engineering standards and guidelines for model development, including validation, uncertainty, reproducibility, and bias/quality checks.
• Drive scalable experimentation with A/B and Multi-armed bandit testing frameworks, power analysis, variance reduction, and online-offline alignment.
• Work together with Data Engineering, MLOps, and Game Tech teams to guarantee dependable data foundations, feature accessibility, and model deployment pathways.
• Build internal data products to improve the speed and quality of decision-making, such as AB-test calculators, decision tools, and automated insights.
• Provide technical leadership through building and code reviews, mentoring, and coaching, improving the standard of data science craft across the organization.
• Serve as a reliable collaborator throughout the organization, promoting data-informed decision-making and enabling business units to embrace data products.
• Translate complex analytical insights into actionable recommendations, presenting them to senior leadership to inform critical business decisions and encourage collaborators.

What We Are Seeking

• Education: PhD or MSc in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Physics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field, or equivalent experience in practice.
• Experience: 5+ years of professional data science experience. You have delivered at least 3 data or ML products from problem definition to production deployment and monitoring.
• Demonstrated proficiency in clustering, predictive modeling, reinforcement learning, and Bayesian statistics.
• Hands-on experience in software engineering, MLOps, and deploying machine learning models at scale.
• Proficiency in SQL, Python, and familiarity with big data technologies (e.g., Kafka, Spark) and/or cloud platforms (e.g., GCP, AWS, or Azure).
• Industry knowledge: Experience in gaming or digital entertainment is a strong plus.

This job description may have been reviewed and enhanced usingAI-assisted tools to improve clarity, consistency, and inclusivity. All final content, role requirements and hiring decisions remain subject to human review and approval by Aristocrat.

Compensation Philosophy

We offer a comprehensive pay and benefits package designed to stay competitive in the market, support your wellbeing, and recognise your contribution to our success. Our approach is underpinned by a pay-for-performance belief in rewarding individual impact. Your specific compensation package will be determined by factors such as your skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

Depending on your role and location, you may be eligible for annual bonuses and incentives, health and wellbeing benefits, paid time off, retirement plans, insurance coverage, and other local or statutory benefits.

Specific details about compensation and benefits for this position will be discussed during the recruitment process.