Principal Data Scientist - Water Sector

Stantec; High Wycombe; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Stantec is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to join our award-winning digital team. You will lead data science initiatives across the water sector, shaping digital strategies and delivering predictive analytics, optimization, and insightful data visualisations for clients.

Based in the UK with hybrid work across High Wycombe, London, Reading, Brighton or Southampton, you will mentor colleagues, drive cloud deployments (Azure), champion DevOps practices, and collaborate with clients to

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Python for data science and visualization.
• Strong ML model development, evaluation, and deployment experience.
• Cloud deployment experience (Azure) and DevOps practices.
• Ability to lead and mentor data science teams across projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead data science initiatives in the water sector, driving digital transformation.
• Derive insights using predictive analytics and optimization techniques.
• Build automated tools and solutions for clients with actionable outputs.
• Collaborate with clients to deliver high-quality results and maintain technical standards.
• Mentor junior colleagues and lead project teams.

Skills

Python

Data visualisation

Machine learning

Azure

DevOps

Version control

Power Platform

Power BI

Power Apps

Team leadership

Tools

Azure DevOps

Git

Power BI

Power Apps

Job description

Do you thrive on solving complex challenges, uncovering insights, and driving innovation with advanced analytics? If so, we could have the perfect opportunity for you!

We’re seeking a Principal Data Scientist to join our award-winning digital team at Stantec. You will be working alongside leading Analysts and Data Engineering experts to transform how we and our clients harness data. As a key member of our team, you’ll play a critical role in shaping digital strategies, particularly within the water sector; helping clients optimize their assets, plan smarter investments, and improve environmental outcomes through cutting-edge analytics.

This role can be based from either our High Wycombe, London, Reading, Brighton or Southamptonoffices, with hybrid working allowing for a mix of in-office and home working.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading Data Science Initiatives – apply your expertise in data modelling, cleansing, and analytics to create innovative solutions that drive digital transformation.
• Deriving Powerful Insights – use predictive analytics and optimization techniques to help clients make smarter, data-driven decisions.
• Building Intelligent Tools – develop automated solutions that enhance efficiency and provide clear, actionable insights.
• Driving Digital Innovation – work with technology and data to shape digital solutions that transform industry processes.
• Client Collaboration & Technical Delivery – partner directly with clients in the water industry, understanding their needs, designing solutions, and delivering high-quality results.
• Mentoring & Team Leadership – support junior colleagues, ensuring technical excellence and professional development within the team.
• Shaping the Future of Our Digital Services – influence Stantec’s growth by scoping proposals, contributing to technical standards, and winning new projects.

About You

You’ll be an experienced data professional who excels in Python, with a proven ability to develop powerful data visualisations, implement machine learning models, and deploy solutions in the cloud (Azure). You understand the value of DevOps principles, version control, and integrating technical solutions seamlessly into client operations. You have a good understanding of the MS Power Platform and can incorporate it into solution designs and manage other team members to develop solutions in Power BI and Power Apps.

Beyond technical skills, you'll be a proactive problem solver, an analytical thinker, and a true innovator—someone who can tell a compelling story with data and inspire change across our clients and projects.

If you’re ready to shape the future of digital transformation in the water sector and take your career to the next level, we’d love to hear from you!

Please note that we are not offering Visa Sponsorship for this role and applicants must have an unconditional right to live and work in the UK for an indefinite period without limitation.