Staff Data Scientist

Optimizely; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital experience platform company in the UK is seeking a Staff Data Scientist to lead the development of AI-driven digital experiences. You will architect machine learning solutions and guide a high-performing team while managing projects from conception to deployment. The ideal candidate will have expertise in distributed data processing and ML frameworks, along with relevant educational qualifications. This position offers opportunities for professional growth in an inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading data science projects.
• Expertise in machine learning systems architecture.
• Familiar with cloud services like GCP and AWS.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of projects in data science.
• Architect scalable machine learning systems.
• Manage strategic roadmap from conception to deployment.
• Implement best practices in code quality and testing.
• Support talent acquisition and learning initiatives.

Skills

Proficiency in distributed data processing

Experience with ML model development

Advanced data querying

Experience with integration testing

Ability to communicate technical concepts

Education

PhD, Master's, or Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Spark

MLFlow

SQL

Docker

Azure

Job description

At Optimizely, we're on a mission to help people unlock their digital potential. We do that by reinventing how marketing and product teams work to create and optimize digital experiences across all channels. With Optimizely One, our industry-first operating system for marketers, we offer teams flexibility and choice to build their stack their way with our fully SaaS, fully decoupled, and highly composable solution.

We are proud to help more than 10,000 businesses, including H&M, PayPal, Zoom, and Toyota, enrich their customer lifetime value, increase revenue and grow their brands. Our innovation and excellence have earned us numerous recognitions as a leader by industry analysts such as Gartner, Forrester, and IDC, reinforcing our role as a trailblazer in MarTech.

Introduction

Why is this team critical to Optimizely?

• Business Impact : Powering Optimizely One, our ML innovations are crucial for defining Optimizely's technological leadership in digital experience platform
• High Visibility : ML capabilities developed by this team are central to Optimizely's strategic product roadmap and cross-product integration
• Shape the Future : we are positioned to define the next generation of intelligent digital interaction across global brands

The Role

We are seeking an exceptional Staff Data Scientist who will architect and technically lead projects dedicated to pushing the boundaries of AI-driven digital experiences. In this pivotal role, you will guide the development of cutting‑edge machine learning solutions that not only anticipate but actively shape how global brands engage, understand, and delight their customers through intelligent, predictive, and personalized digital interactions.

Some Technologies We Work With: Python primarily, with bits and pieces of TypeScript and Scala, GCP, AWS, Azure – in this order of relevance. GitHub, Docker, GitHub Actions, Terraform, Kubernetes. Pandas, PySpark and Spark. Vertex AI, Azure OpenAI for LLMs.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of projects in a high‑performing data science team, fostering professional growth and creating an inclusive and collaborative environment
• Architect and design scalable machine learning systems that solve complex challenges
• Develop and execute the data science team's strategic roadmap, managing complex projects from conception to deployment
• Make high‑impact technical decisions and provide guidance
• Establish best practices in software engineering and machine learning development
• Implement rigorous code quality and testing standards across data science projects
• Support talent acquisition and continuous learning initiatives

Knowledge and Experience

• Proficiency in distributed data processing (Spark, cloud services)
• Knowledge of ML model development and deployment frameworks (MLFlow, Kubeflow)
• Advanced data querying (SQL) and data engineering pipelines (Airflow)
• Extensive experience with comprehensive unit testing, integration testing, and test coverage strategies
• Experience working with Product Management teams and ability to translate complex technical concepts for non‑technical stakeholders

Education

PhD's, Master's, or Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related field

Competencies

Driving Continuous Improvement, Driving for Results, Driving Projects to Completion, Interacting with People at Different Levels, Communicating Effectively, Prioritizing and Organizing Work, Developing Talent, Displaying Technical Expertise, Accepting Responsibility

Optimizely is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Optimizely is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

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