Lead Data Scientist

Goldman Tech Resourcing; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Goldman Tech Resourcing is seeking an experienced Lead Data Scientist to take technical ownership across ML, statistics, and production AI solutions. This hands-on leadership role combines advanced technical delivery with team mentorship and stakeholder engagement.

The role requires 7+ years in data science and at least 2+ years in technical leadership, with strong Python, PySpark, lakehouse, and SQL experience. You will guide delivery and evolve data pipelines within a Platform team.

Qualifications

• 7+ years experience in data science, analytics or data warehousing.
• 2+ years in a technical or engineering leadership role.
• Advanced Python skills.
• Experience with production AI systems and model lifecycle management.
• Strong communication in English.
• Experience with lakehouse architectures and large-scale data pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and deploy ML/AI solutions into production.
• Apply statistical modelling to solve business problems.
• Manage full model lifecycle: deployment, monitoring, retraining.
• Develop data science solutions using Python and libraries.
• Work with lakehouse architectures, feature stores and data versioning.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines and schema evolution.
• Work with Azure data warehouse technologies and large datasets.
• Produce analytics and visualisations using Power BI.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to data scientists.
• Take ownership of delivery and contribute to planning.
• Communicate findings to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Advanced Python

Jupyter Notebooks

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

Machine Learning

Statistical Modelling

Production AI Systems

Mentorship

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

Delta Lake

Lakehouse Architecture

PySpark

Feature Stores

Training-data Versioning

Schema Evolution

Azure Synapse Analytics

Azure SQL

T-SQL

ANSI SQL

Power BI

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced Lead Data Scientist to take technical ownership across machine learning, statistical modelling and production AI solutions. This is a hands‑on leadership role for a data science professional who can combine advanced technical expertise with team mentorship, delivery ownership and strong stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and deploy machine learning and AI solutions into production environments.
• Apply statistical modelling and advanced data science techniques to solve complex business problems.
• Manage the full model lifecycle, including deployment, monitoring, evaluation and retraining.
• Develop robust data science solutions using Python and associated data science libraries.
• Work with lakehouse architectures, feature stores and training-data versioning.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines and support schema evolution.
• Work with Azure data warehouse technologies and large-scale datasets.
• Produce insightful analytics and visualisations using Power BI and Python-based tools.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to data scientists.
• Take ownership of delivery and contribute to technical planning and execution.
• Communicate technical concepts, findings and recommendations effectively to senior stakeholders.
• Where required, lead an Agile delivery squad within the Platform organisation.

Requirements

• 7+ years’ experience across data science, data analytics or data warehousing, with substantial recent data science experience.
• 2+ years’ experience in a technical or engineering leadership role.
• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• Advanced Python skills.
• Strong experience with Jupyter Notebooks, pandas, NumPy and scikit-learn.
• Proven experience with machine learning, statistical modelling and production AI system design.
• Experience deploying, monitoring and retraining production models.
• Experience with Delta Lake or comparable lakehouse architectures.
• Strong knowledge of PySpark, feature stores, training-data versioning and schema evolution.
• Strong data warehouse experience, including Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure SQL, T‑SQL and/or ANSI SQL.
• Strong Power BI and Python-based analytics/visualisation experience.
• Proven experience mentoring data scientists and leading technical delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.

About Goldman Tech Resourcing

Goldman Tech Resourcing, TA Stand‑Out Staffing, is one of South Africa’s most agile recruitment companies that focus on placing professionals and skilled people in contract and permanent employment.

Our mission is to be the most respected Recruitment Company within the IT, Finance and Mining Sectors by:

• Providing our clients with any number of quality candidates with the right technical skills and experience for a particular position.
• Providing the candidates we choose to work with a number of attractive career opportunities in a short space of time.
• Focusing on niche segments of market and knowing these segments intimately.