Lead Data Scientist - Machine Learning

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary

Executive bonus opportunities

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement benefits package

Career advancement opportunities

Relocation assistance may be available

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks an experienced Lead Data Scientist in Tembisa to spearhead ML initiatives, guide a team of data scientists and analysts, and shape the company’s data science strategy from research to deployment.

You will mentor, collaborate with stakeholders, develop predictive models, ensure robust validation, and translate complex insights into actionable business value while leading cutting-edge projects in a collaborative, high-impact environment.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of professional experience in data science and ML, with a proven track record of leading projects.
• Deep understanding of statistical modelling, supervised and unsupervised learning, and deep learning frameworks.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries like scikit-learn, pandas, NumPy.
• Experience with big data technologies and cloud platforms (Spark, Hadoop, AWS SageMaker, Azure ML).
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced ML models and algorithms to address business needs.
• Mentor and manage a team of data scientists, guiding their growth and performance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify data-driven opportunities and define project roadmaps.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, and model validation to ensure accuracy.
• Stay abreast of latest research in data science and apply relevant advances to problems.
• Translate complex findings into clear recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Leadership

Data science

Machine learning

Mentoring

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Computer Science/Statistics/Math

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

pandas

NumPy

Spark

AWS SageMaker / Azure ML

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an experienced and innovative Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their Machine Learning initiatives in Tembisa . In this critical role, you will guide a team of data scientists and analysts in developing predictive models and data-driven solutions that solve complex business challenges. You will be instrumental in shaping the company's data science strategy, from research and experimentation to deployment and impact analysis. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned professional to lead significant projects, mentor talented individuals, and drive tangible business value through advanced analytics and artificial intelligence within a dedicated team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced machine learning models and algorithms to address business needs.
• Mentor and manage a team of data scientists, providing technical guidance and fostering their professional growth.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across various departments to identify opportunities for data-driven solutions and define project roadmaps.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, and model validation to ensure accuracy and performance.
• Stay abreast of the latest research and advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI, and apply them to relevant problems.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of professional experience in data science and machine learning, with a proven track record of leading projects.
• Deep understanding of statistical modeling, supervised and unsupervised learning techniques, and deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, pandas, NumPy).
• Experience with big data technologies and cloud platforms (e.g., Spark, Hadoop, AWS SageMaker, Azure ML).
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with executive bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, wellness, and retirement benefits package.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and leadership development.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and challenging, impactful projects.
• A collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Relocation assistance may be available for exceptional candidates.