Data Scientist

BigTalent; Wes-Kaap; Hybrid; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital financial services organization is seeking a Data Scientist to join its team in Cape Town. This role focuses on building credit scorecards and machine learning models to impact lending decisions. The ideal candidate has 3-5 years of experience, strong skills in Python and SQL, and exposure to credit risk or financial modelling. With a hybrid working model, you will collaborate across teams to drive data-driven risk strategies.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in data science, analytics, or decision science.
• Strong skills in Python and SQL.
• Experience with machine learning and statistical modelling.
• Exposure to credit risk, lending, or financial modelling.

Responsibilities

• Building and deploying ML models (e.g., XGBoost, decision trees).
• Developing and optimizing credit scorecards and financial models.
• Extracting, cleaning, and preparing data using Python and SQL.
• Collaborating with engineering, operations, and business teams.
• Translating analytical insights into practical risk strategies.

Skills

Python

SQL

Machine learning

Statistical modelling

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Job description

A leading digital financial services organization is hiring a Data Scientist to join its Cape Town–based team (hybrid working model: 2–3 days in office).

This role is well suited to a data scientist who enjoys building credit scorecards, predictive models, and machine learning solutions that directly influence lending and credit decisions. You’ll work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with close exposure to senior stakeholders and real business impact.

What you’ll be working on:

• Building and deploying ML models (e.g. XGBoost, decision trees)
• Developing and optimizing credit scorecards and cash-flow / financial models
• Extracting, cleaning, and preparing data using Python and SQL
• Collaborating with engineering, operations, collections, and business teams
• Translating analytical insights into practical lending and risk strategies

What we’re looking for:

• 3–5 years’ experience in data science, analytics, or decision science
• Strong Python and SQL
• Experience with machine learning and statistical modelling
• Exposure to credit risk, lending, or financial modelling
• Ability to work independently with a strong analytical and problem‑solving mindset