Lead Data Scientist

EPAM Systems; Mexico; On-site; PHP 8,125,000 - 11,875,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Global career opportunities

Upskilling and certification programs

LinkedIn Learning access

Job summary

EPAM Systems is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to drive AI-powered chatbot solutions using LLMs and Python. You will lead cross‑functional teams, shape prompt engineering, and build AI agents that interact with APIs, databases, and external tools.

You will ensure dependable performance by evaluating models and enforcing Responsible AI practices. You will mentor development teams, apply NLP/Conversational AI expertise, and lead exploratory data analysis to translate data into actionable

Qualifications

• 5+ years in data science or applied AI roles
• At least 1 year of experience guiding and managing development teams
• Strong command of Large Language Models, including OpenAI APIs on Azure
• Advanced Python programming for integrating and refining AI workflows
• Track record of building AI agents that use function calling to engage external tools/databases
• Solid grasp of hallucination prevention methods
• Familiarity with Responsible AI and compliance best practices
• Experience in NLP and Conversational AI creation
• Fluent English at B2 level or above

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with product, analytics, and engineering teams to design and improve a shopping assistant chatbot
• Shape and fine-tune prompt engineering approaches
• Build LLM-driven agents interfacing with APIs, databases, and external services via function calling
• Protect chatbot dependability by applying rigorous model evaluation methods
• Use A/B testing frameworks to elevate chatbot performance
• Embed Responsible AI and compliance throughout development
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to surface insights for data engineering
• Advise cloud engineering on infrastructure needs for AI-powered deployments

Skills

LLMs

Python programming

NLP & Conversational AI

Team leadership

OpenAI APIs on Azure

AI agents with function calling

Responsible AI & compliance

English communication (B2+)

AI/ML best practices

Experimentation & A/B testing

Job description

EPAM is a leading global provider of digital platform engineering and development services. We are committed to having a positive impact on our customers, our employees, and our communities. We embrace a dynamic and inclusive culture. Here you will collaborate with multi-national teams, contribute to a myriad of innovative projects that deliver the most creative and cutting-edge solutions, and have an opportunity to continuously learn and grow. No matter where you are located, you will join a dedicated, creative, and diverse community that will help you discover your fullest potential.

We are looking for a Lead Data Scientist with deep knowledge of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Python to create AI-driven chatbot solutions for targeted use cases.

The ideal candidate brings a solid foundation in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Conversational AI, along with hands‑on experience in hallucination mitigation, Responsible AI and compliance, and data analytics.

Responsibilities

• Team up with multidisciplinary groups spanning product, analytics, and engineering to design and improve a shopping assistant chatbot
• Shape and fine‑tune prompt engineering approaches to raise the quality of chatbot conversations
• Build LLM-driven agents that interface with APIs, databases, and external services via function calling
• Protect chatbot dependability and reduce hallucinations by applying rigorous model evaluation methods
• Use A/B testing frameworks to assess and progressively elevate chatbot performanceEmbed Responsible AI and compliance principles to ensure ethical operation and regulatory conformity
• Carry out exploratory data analysis (EDA) to surface insights and convert them into well‑defined requirements for the data engineering team
• Advise cloud engineering teams on the infrastructure requirements essential to AI‑powered chatbot deployments

Requirements

• No less than 5 years of hands‑on professional experience in data science or applied AI positions
• At least 1 year of experience guiding and managing development teams
• Strong command of Large Language Models, including practical work with OpenAI APIs on Azure
• Advanced Python programming abilities for integrating, orchestrating, and refining AI workflows
• Track record of building AI agents that use function calling to engage with external tools and databases
• Solid grasp of hallucination prevention methods to preserve chatbot precision and dependability
• Firm understanding of Responsible AI and compliance best practices, along with ethical AI standards
• Demonstrated experience in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Conversational AI creation
• Confident English communication skills at B2 level or above, in both writing and speech

Nice to have

• Practical background in A/B testing and experimentation, working closely alongside analytics teams
• Skill in defining and executing a testing strategy grounded in key performance indicators specific to chatbot solutions
• Proficiency in exploratory data analysis (EDA) for drawing valuable insights from sizable datasets
• Aptitude for producing clear, structured data specifications for the data engineering team
• Familiarity with cloud services, whether through direct hands‑on work or by outlining infrastructure requirements for cloud engineering teams

We offer

• International projects with top brands
• Work with global teams of highly skilled, diverse peers
• Healthcare benefits
• Employee financial programs
• Paid time off and sick leave
• Upskilling, reskilling and certification courses
• Unlimited access to the LinkedIn Learning library and 22,000+ courses
• Global career opportunities
• Volunteer and community involvement opportunities
• EPAM Employee Groups
• Award-winning culture recognized by Glassdoor, Newsweek and LinkedIn

EPAM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.