Principal Data Scientist

Placements24; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus program

Medical & retirement plans

Professional development

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Data Scientist to lead advanced analytics in Randburg. You will guide machine learning initiatives, mentor a team of data scientists, and shape the company’s data strategy to drive business impact.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in data science with strong ML, statistical modeling, and big data experience, and can collaborate with engineering and product teams to deliver insights.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in a quantitative field required.
• 8+ years in data science or related analytics roles.
• Strong programming in Python or R with ML libraries.
• Experience with big data tools (Spark/Hadoop) and SQL.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of ML models and analytics solutions.
• Identify business problems where data science adds value.
• Develop advanced statistical analyses and predictive models.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Problem-solving

Data modeling

Education

PhD or Master’s in CS/Stats/Math/Physics or related

Tools

Python

R

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Spark

Hadoop

SQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a fast-growing technology firm at the forefront of data innovation, is seeking an exceptional Principal Data Scientist to lead their advanced analytics initiatives in Randburg, Gauteng . This senior role requires a strategic thinker with a profound understanding of machine learning, statistical modeling, and big data technologies. The ideal candidate will be responsible for driving the development of cutting-edge data-driven solutions, mentoring a team of data scientists, and influencing the company's data strategy. You will tackle complex business challenges by extracting actionable insights from vast datasets, contributing significantly to the technological advancement in Randburg and the broader Gauteng tech ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of sophisticated machine learning models and analytical solutions.
• Identify business challenges and opportunities where data science can provide significant value.
• Develop and implement advanced statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and data mining techniques.
• Work with large, complex datasets from various sources, ensuring data quality and integrity.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation.
• Collaborate with engineering, product management, and business stakeholders to define project requirements and deliver impactful insights.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI technologies.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to the development of the company's data infrastructure and best practices.
• Evaluate and implement new tools and technologies to enhance data science capabilities.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in data science, machine learning, or a related analytical role, with a proven track record of delivering impactful solutions.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python or R, and associated libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and SQL databases.
• Deep understanding of various machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning).
• Proven ability to lead complex analytical projects and mentor junior team members.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and drive projects to completion.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and an attractive bonus structure, alongside a comprehensive benefits package including excellent medical and retirement plans.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development, attending leading industry conferences, and career growth are abundant.

The company prides itself on fostering an innovative, collaborative, and inclusive work environment that values work-life balance in Randburg .

This is a premier opportunity to lead data science initiatives at a pioneering tech company in Gauteng .