Data Scientist

Sanlam; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in financial services is seeking a data science professional to analyze Telematics data and develop machine learning models. The ideal candidate will have a background in Actuarial Science or a related field, with key responsibilities including data analysis and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Join a dynamic environment focused on innovation and continuous learning, and contribute to shaping the future of insurance.

Benefits

Exposure to AI and big data

Opportunity for growth and development

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years experience in data science or data engineering roles.
• Honours or Masters in a relevant field advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Analyse and process Telematics data for pricing and claims optimization.
• Develop machine learning models for UBI products.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for strategic decision-making.

Skills

Data Analysis

Problem Solving

Machine Learning

Clean Code Principles

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science, Mathematical Statistics, Data Science, or Computer Science

Tools

Python

C#

SQL

Power BI

Docker

Job description

Who are we?

MiWay is a direct financial services company. We are passionate about service excellence, convenience and offering our clients superior value products. Our Vision is to be a world-class direct financial services business that offers a complete array of services under one convenient umbrella – all managed online. We are positive that with the right people on board, we will continue to grow and give our clients the freedom to do things their way – free from worry and most importantly at peace with all the “what-ifs” of the world. Company values that every employee subscribes to are: Energy, Freedom, Accountability and Attitude. The ideal candidate is one who has the courage to be bold and subscribes to MiWay’s core values! Do you have a positive attitude, love a challenge, treat your colleagues with respect and look for solutions, not problems? If yes, then MiWay is the place for you!

Education and Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years experience (4 years or more advantageous) in data science or data engineering roles.
• Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science, Mathematical Statistics, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related field (Essential) (Honours or Masters advantageous)

What will make you successful in this role?

Key Responsibilities
• Analyse and process Telematics data to extract meaningful insights for pricing, underwriting, and claims optimization.
• Develop and implement machine learning models, including LLMs and computer vision models.
• Build and optimize usage-based insurance (UBI) products by integrating Telematics and AI-driven insights into actuarial pricing models.
• Automate data processing tasks using Python, SQL, and C#, ensuring scalable and efficient systems.
• Design and implement robust software solutions, applying clean code principles and best practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Software Developers, Actuarial, and Product teams, to integrate AI and Telematics-driven insights into strategic decision-making.
• Develop and maintain APIs and containerized applications using Docker for real-time analytics and predictive modelling.
• Assist in monitoring and validating predictive models to ensure optimal performance in production environments.
• Create interactive dashboards and reporting tools using Power BI to track key performance metrics.
• Stay updated with emerging trends in technology and AI to continuously improve methodologies.

Programming Skills
• Python (Advanced) – Experience with machine learning libraries (Scikit-Learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, XGBoost, Hugging Face, OpenCV). (Essential)
• C# (Advanced) – Strong understanding of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and clean coding principles. (Essential)
• SQL (Advanced) – Experience with data processing, database management, and query optimization. (Essential)
• Git Version Control (Advanced) – Experience in managing and collaborating on codebases. (Essential)
• Power BI or similar visualization tools (Intermediate) – Experience in building real-time analytics dashboards (Essential)
• LLMs and Computer Vision Models (Intermediate to Advanced) – Working knowledge and experience developing and deploying large language models (ChatGPT, Llama, BERT) and image-processing models (Advantageous).
• Docker (Intermediate to Advanced) – Experience with containerizing applications for scalable and efficient deployment (Advantageous)

Key Competencies & Attributes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to derive actionable insights from extremely large datasets.
• Solid grasp of OOP concepts, software engineering principles, and API development.
• Passion for applying AI-driven solutions, including LLMs and computer vision applications in insurance.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Why Join Us?
• Work at the cutting edge of AI and Telematics, shaping the future of insurance.
• Be part of a highly skilled, innovation-driven team that values continuous learning.
• Gain exposure to AI and big data, while applying statistical principles in production systems.
If you are passionate about merging your Data Science knowledge with AI and Telematics, we encourage you to apply!

Knowledge and Skills IT Data Analysis Data Collection Data Mining Advanced analytics to address business requirements New technologies and methodologies Personal Attributes Interpersonal savvy - Contributing independently Decision quality - Contributing independently Optimises work processes - Contributing independently Plans and aligns - Contributing independently Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Core Competencies Being resilient - Contributing independently Collaborates - Contributing independently Cultivates innovation - Contributing independently Customer focus - Contributing independently Drives results - Contributing independently Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers. Deadline to apply: 31 July 2025.

Our commitment to transformation

At MiWay we believe in cultivating a positive and dynamic working environment that gives you freedom and opportunity to succeed. MiWay is committed to transformation and embracing diversity. This is what drives us to achieve a multicultural workplace with employment equity as a key goal to create an inclusive workforce, reflective of the demographics of our society.