Principal Data Scientist

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical insurance

Remote work opportunities

Professional development budget

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead analytics from Centurion, Gauteng. You will architect data solutions, guide junior scientists, and champion best practices in data science. Focus areas include customer segmentation, churn, and revenue forecasting.

You will mentor teams, evaluate new tools, and translate technical insights into strategic decisions, driving a data-driven culture across the organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of data science experience, with at least 3 years in a principal or lead role.
• Expertise in machine learning algorithms and their business applications.
• Proficiency in Python or R and data manipulation libraries.
• Strong SQL and big data tech experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, deployment of advanced ML models and algorithms.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends and opportunities for business growth.
• Develop and implement robust data mining and statistical analysis techniques.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business needs into data science solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering growth.
• Evaluate and implement new data science tools and methodologies.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and reliability for analysis and modeling.
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Drive innovation in data science practices and promote a data-driven culture.

Skills

Data science leadership

Machine learning

Statistical modeling

Big data

Python

R

SQL

Spark

Hadoop

Cloud platforms

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Data Science or related field

Tools

Pandas

NumPy

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

SQL databases

Python

R

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly accomplished and strategic Principal Data Scientist to lead their advanced analytics initiatives from Centurion, Gauteng . This role is central to driving data-informed decision-making across the organization, leveraging complex datasets to uncover actionable insights and build predictive models. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in machine learning, statistical modeling, and data mining techniques, coupled with strong business acumen and the ability to translate technical findings into strategic recommendations. You will be responsible for guiding junior data scientists, architecting data solutions, and championing best practices in data science. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of analytics within a rapidly growing company, working with diverse data sources and cutting-edge technologies. The focus will be on developing sophisticated models for customer segmentation, churn prediction, and revenue forecasting. This position offers significant autonomy and the chance to make a tangible impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced machine learning models and algorithms.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for business growth.
• Develop and implement robust data mining and statistical analysis techniques.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across various departments to understand business needs and translate them into data science solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering their technical and professional growth.
• Evaluate and implement new data science tools, technologies, and methodologies.
• Ensure the quality, integrity, and reliability of data used for analysis and modeling.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Drive innovation in data science practices and promote a data-driven culture within the organization.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in data science, with at least 3 years in a principal or lead role.
• Proven expertise in machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning) and their application.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with data manipulation libraries (e.g., Pandas, NumPy).
• Strong experience with SQL and database technologies.
• Familiarity with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Excellent understanding of statistical modeling and experimental design.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and a results-oriented mindset.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to diverse audiences.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary of ZAR.
• Generous stock options or performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible working hours and remote work opportunities.
• Professional development budget for courses, conferences, and certifications.
• 401(k) or equivalent retirement plan with company match.
• A collaborative and innovative work culture at our Centurion, Gauteng offices.