Lead Data Scientist - Energy Analytics (Remote-First)

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first culture

Home office stipend

Flexible hours

Comprehensive benefits

Bonuses and stock options

Professional development budget

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a pioneering energy-focused organization to recruit a Lead Data Scientist. The role is fully remote-first and aimed at driving large-scale analytics across South Africa, including data governance and adoption of MLOps practices.

The candidate will shape the data science strategy, mentor a team of data professionals, and collaborate with engineering, operations, and strategy teams to deliver data-driven decisions for energy generation, distribution and consumption.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in a quantitative field such as Data Science, Statistics, CS or Physics.
• 8+ years of data science experience, with substantial energy industry exposure.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries (Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong SQL and NoSQL experience; familiar with Spark/Hadoop for big data.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and deployment of ML models and analyses for energy domain.
• Build scalable data pipelines processing large, diverse datasets from energy sources.
• Mentor junior data scientists and promote best practices in data governance and reproducibility.
• Communicate insights clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Oversee end-to-end data science projects from conception to deployment and monitoring.

Skills

Data science

Machine learning

Python

R

Statistics

Data visualization

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Data Science/Statistics/CS/Physics

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit-learn

Spark

Hadoop

SQL/NoSQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering force in the energy industry, is looking for an exceptional Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their advanced analytics initiatives. This is a fully remote-first position, offering unparalleled flexibility to candidates across South Africa. You will be at the forefront of leveraging vast datasets to uncover insights, predict trends, and drive strategic decisions within the energy domain. This role demands a deep understanding of machine learning, statistical modeling, and big data technologies, applied to solve complex challenges in energy generation, distribution, and consumption. You'll lead a team of talented data professionals, fostering a culture of innovation and analytical rigor. Join us in shaping the future of energy through data-driven intelligence, regardless of your physical location.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and deployment of machine learning models and statistical analyses to address key business questions in the energy sector.
• Design and implement scalable data pipelines for processing large, complex datasets from various energy sources.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders across engineering, operations, and strategy teams to identify data-driven opportunities.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering their technical and professional growth.
• Develop and maintain robust data governance practices and ensure data quality and integrity.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Research and evaluate new data science methodologies, tools, and technologies relevant to the energy industry.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of data science projects, from conception and data collection to model deployment and monitoring.
• Contribute to the strategic roadmap for data analytics and AI within the organization.
• Champion best practices in data science, MLOps, and reproducible research.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• 8+ years of experience in data science, with a significant portion focused on the energy industry.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python or R, and proficiency with data science libraries (e.g., Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong experience with SQL and NoSQL databases, and big data platforms (e.g., Spark, Hadoop).
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and mentor junior team members.
• Deep understanding of various machine learning algorithms (regression, classification, clustering, deep learning) and their applications.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, capable of conveying technical insights to diverse audiences.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a significant advantage.
• Familiarity with energy market dynamics, energy systems, or renewable energy technologies is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package reflecting your expertise and leadership.
• Generous remote work allowance and home office setup stipend.
• Flexible working hours and a truly remote-first culture.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Performance-based bonuses and stock options.
• Professional development budget for conferences, training, and certifications.
• Opportunity to work on challenging and impactful energy analytics projects.
• Collaborative and innovative virtual team environment.
• 25 days of paid annual leave.