Principal Data Scientist

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Performance bonuses

Medical aid

Retirement funding

Learning opportunities

Job summary

Placements24, based in Sandton, is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead complex ML projects and provide strategic guidance on data-driven initiatives. You will mentor senior and junior data scientists, collaborate across product, engineering, and marketing, and architect scalable data pipelines.

The role emphasizes advanced modeling, statistical analysis, and staying at the forefront of AI techniques to deliver business value in a fully remote capacity.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in a quantitative field such as Data Science, CS, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of data science experience with leadership/principal roles.
• Deep expertise in ML algorithms and statistical modeling.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries like TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, pandas.
• Experience with big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop, cloud data warehouses).
• Strong data warehousing, ETL, and database management (SQL/NoSQL).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead projects and mentor teams.
• Eligible to work remotely in South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and deployment of advanced ML models and analyses.
• Define data science roadmaps, methodologies, and success metrics.
• Mentor junior data scientists and share best practices.
• Collaborate with product, engineering, and marketing to translate needs into data solutions.
• Build and maintain data pipelines ensuring quality and efficiency.
• Leverage large datasets to extract actionable insights.
• Stay updated on ML/AI advances and communicate findings clearly.
• Design experiments to validate hypotheses and measure impact.
• Contribute to data strategy and IP development.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Mentoring

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Ph.D. in Data Science

Master’s in a quantitative field

Tools

Python

R

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Pandas

Spark

SQL/NoSQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in data analytics and AI solutions based in Sandton, Gauteng , is seeking a distinguished Principal Data Scientist. This senior role involves leading complex data science projects, developing advanced machine learning models, and providing strategic guidance on data-driven initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a profound expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and big data technologies, coupled with exceptional problem-solving skills. You will be responsible for tackling challenging business problems through sophisticated data analysis and predictive modeling, mentoring junior data scientists, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. This position is fully remote, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere while contributing to groundbreaking projects. We are looking for a thought leader who can drive innovation and deliver tangible business value through data. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of data science within a forward-thinking organization in Sandton .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced machine learning models and statistical analyses to solve complex business problems.
• Define data science project roadmaps, methodologies, and success metrics.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, providing technical expertise and fostering best practices.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across various departments (product, engineering, marketing) to identify data opportunities and translate business needs into data science solutions.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines, ensuring data quality, integrity, and efficient processing.
• Explore and leverage large, complex datasets from various sources to extract actionable insights.
• Research and stay abreast of the latest advancements in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science techniques.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Design and conduct A/B tests and other experiments to validate hypotheses and measure the impact of data-driven solutions.
• Contribute to the development of the company's data strategy and intellectual property.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in a quantitative field such as Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in data science, with a significant portion in leadership or principal roles.
• Deep expertise in machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning) and statistical modeling.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, pandas).
• Experience working with big data technologies and platforms (e.g., Spark, Hadoop, cloud-based data warehouses).
• Strong understanding of data warehousing, ETL processes, and database management (SQL and NoSQL).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence decision-making.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects and mentor team members.
• Must be legally authorized to work remotely in South Africa.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly attractive remuneration package, including a substantial base salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits such as medical aid and retirement funding. This fully remote position provides exceptional work-life balance and the freedom to work from your preferred location. Employees have access to continuous learning opportunities, cutting-edge tools, and the chance to work on impactful projects that drive innovation in the field of data science. Join a world-class team based in Sandton and lead the way in data-driven transformation.