Principal Data Scientist - Machine Learning

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 2,938,000 - 4,897,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Dental & vision

Stock options

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Remote stipend

Learning & conferences

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead advanced analytics and develop scalable ML solutions in a remote-first environment. You will mentor a team of data professionals, collaborate with engineers and domain experts, and drive data-driven decision making across the organization.

You will design and deploy predictive models, work with big data technologies on cloud platforms, and stay at the forefront of ML innovations while communicating insights to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 10+ years of professional data science experience with ML focus.
• Proficiency in Python or R and ML libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Experience with big data technologies and cloud platforms.
• Strong statistical modeling and A/B testing.
• Excellent leadership and remote-working communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end ML model development lifecycle from data to deployment.
• Design advanced algorithms for predictive modeling, classification, clustering, and anomaly detection.
• Collaborate with software engineers to deploy models at scale.
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends and insights for business improvement.
• Mentor junior data scientists and analysts, fostering best practices in data science and ML.
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay updated on ML advancements and best practices.

Skills

Machine Learning

Leadership

Python

R

Big data

Data visualization

Experimentation

Communication

Education

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

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an exceptional Principal Data Scientist with a deep expertise in Machine Learning to lead advanced analytics initiatives. This fully remote role will drive the development and deployment of sophisticated predictive models and data-driven solutions that tackle complex challenges. You will work with vast datasets, collaborating with engineers and domain experts to unlock actionable insights and shape strategic decisions. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a remote-first organization, influencing the direction of data science strategy and mentoring a team of talented data professionals. We foster an environment of innovation, continuous learning, and autonomy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development lifecycle of machine learning models, from data exploration and feature engineering to model training, validation, and deployment.
• Design and implement advanced algorithms for predictive modeling, classification, clustering, and anomaly detection.
• Collaborate with software engineers to integrate ML models into production systems and ensure scalability and performance.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for business improvement.
• Mentor junior data scientists and data analysts, fostering best practices in data science and machine learning.
• Communicate complex technical findings and recommendations clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science methodologies.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in data science, with a strong focus on machine learning applications.
• Expert proficiency in Python or R and relevant ML libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Proven experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, experimental design, and A/B testing.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to translate business problems into data science solutions.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, comfortable working independently in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous stock options and retirement savings plan.
• Generous paid time off and flexible work hours.
• Fully remote work environment with a home office stipend.
• Continuous learning opportunities, including access to online courses and conferences.