Lead Data Scientist

MSP Staffing (PTY) LTD; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

MSP Staffing (PTY) LTD on behalf of our client is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to drive production-ready ML solutions in a remote, permanent role. The position requires senior technical leadership, deep Python expertise, and hands-on development of data pipelines and analytics.

The role emphasises mentoring, stakeholder collaboration and high-quality AI system design, with occasional travel to Johannesburg or Cape Town for in-person meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• 7+ years' experience across data science, data analytics or data warehousing.
• 2+ years in a technical or engineering leadership role.
• Advanced Python proficiency with pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn and Jupyter.
• Experience with Delta Lake or lakehouse environments and PySpark.
• Strong data warehousing and SQL expertise.
• Experience with Power BI and data visualisation.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, mentoring and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Willingness to travel to Johannesburg or Cape Town a few times per year for in-person meetings.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, deployment, monitoring and retraining of ML/AI models.
• Apply advanced statistical modelling to solve complex business problems.
• Develop robust data science solutions using Python, Jupyter, pandas, NumPy and scikit-learn.
• Work with Delta Lake or lakehouse architectures, including PySpark and data versioning.
• Develop and optimise data solutions using Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure SQL and SQL.
• Produce meaningful analytics and visualisations using Power BI and Python-based tools.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to data scientists.
• Take ownership of delivery and collaborate with senior stakeholders.
• Potentially lead an Agile delivery squad within the Platform organisation.

Skills

Data science leadership

Mentoring

Stakeholder management

English communication

Agile delivery

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

Python

Jupyter

Pandas

NumPy

scikit-learn

Delta Lake

PySpark

Power BI

Azure Synapse Analytics

Azure SQL

T-SQL

ANSI SQL

Job description

Our client is seeking an accomplished Lead Data Scientist to drive the development and delivery of advanced data science solutions in a production environment. This permanent remote opportunity is suited to a senior data professional with strong technical expertise and proven leadership experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, deployment, monitoring and retraining of machine learning and AI models.
• Apply advanced statistical modelling and data science techniques to solve complex business problems.
• Develop robust data science solutions using Python, Jupyter Notebooks, pandas, NumPy and scikit-learn.
• Work with Delta Lake or comparable lakehouse architectures, including PySpark, feature stores, training-data versioning and schema evolution.
• Develop and optimise data solutions using Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure SQL, T-SQL and/or ANSI SQL.
• Produce meaningful analytics and visualisations using Power BI and Python-based tools.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to data scientists.
• Take ownership of delivery and collaborate with senior stakeholders.
• Potentially 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.
• At least 2 years' experience in a technical or engineering leadership role.
• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• Strong production-level experience across machine learning, statistical modelling and AI system design.
• Advanced Python proficiency with strong experience in pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn and Jupyter.
• Experience with Delta Lake or comparable lakehouse environments and PySpark.
• Strong data warehousing and SQL expertise.
• Experience with Power BI and data visualisation.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, mentoring and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Willingness to travel to Johannesburg or Cape Town a few times per year for in-person meetings; proximity to either city is preferred.