Principal Data Scientist

Placements24; Queenstown (MD); On-site; USD 108,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health & retirement benefits

Performance-based bonus

Training & conferences

On-site collaboration

Job summary

Placements24 in Queenstown is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead analytics projects from conception to deployment. You will guide modeling efforts, mentor junior scientists, and partner with stakeholders to translate business challenges into data-driven solutions.

The role emphasizes advanced ML, big data, cloud platforms, and scalable architectures. This on-site position offers impact, growth, and shaping the data science function within the firm.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in a quantitative field.
• 7+ years in data science with leadership.
• Proficiency in Python or R and SQL.
• Experience with big data tools and cloud platforms.
• Mentoring experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and deployment of advanced statistical models and ML algorithms.
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends and insights driving value.
• Develop predictive models, segmentation, and recommendation engines.
• Collaborate with business units to translate needs into projects.
• Mentor junior data scientists and guide the team.
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Evaluate new data science technologies and methodologies.
• Ensure quality and scalability of data science solutions.
• Contribute to strategic direction of the data science function.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Python

R

SQL

Big data (Spark/Hadoop)

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Data visualization

Education

Ph.D. or Master's in Data Science/Statistics/CS/Math

Tools

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading analytics firm, is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to join our team based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, ZA. This senior role is pivotal in driving data-driven decision-making across the organization, leading complex projects from inception to deployment. You will leverage advanced statistical modeling, machine learning, and data mining techniques to extract actionable insights from large datasets. The ideal candidate possesses a strong theoretical foundation, practical experience with diverse data types and modeling techniques, and exceptional problem-solving skills. You will mentor junior data scientists, collaborate with business stakeholders, and champion best practices in data science. This is an on-site position, offering the opportunity to make a tangible impact within a collaborative and innovative environment. We are looking for a visionary leader who can translate complex business challenges into data science solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights that drive business value.
• Develop predictive models, segmentation strategies, and recommendation engines.
• Collaborate with business units to understand their needs and translate them into data science projects.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering their technical and professional growth.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Evaluate and implement new data science technologies, tools, and methodologies.
• Ensure the quality, accuracy, and scalability of data science solutions.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the data science function within the company.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in data science or a related analytical role, with proven leadership experience.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and data mining techniques.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with SQL.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong data visualization skills.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking abilities.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Experience in mentoring and leading technical teams.
• Must be willing to work on-site in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, ZA.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, and a performance-based bonus structure.
• We provide significant opportunities for professional growth, including training, conference attendance, and exposure to diverse industry challenges.
• The on-site role fosters close collaboration and team cohesion.
• Employees benefit from working with a dynamic team and contributing to impactful analytical solutions.
• Join our established firm and lead the way in data-driven innovation in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, ZA.