Remote Lead Data Scientist & ML Team Leader

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Competitive salary package

Health benefits

Bonus opportunity

Professional growth & attendance at/‑j

Diverse global team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Lead Data Scientist to drive innovation and strategic insights for a global client base. You will lead a team of data scientists, mentor juniors, and collaborate with product and engineering teams to deploy advanced analytics solutions from anywhere in South Africa.

You will design, implement, and deploy ML models, conduct statistical analyses, and translate findings into actionable business strategies while staying ahead of the latest data science advancements.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in a quantitative field such as CS, statistics, mathematics, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in data science or ML, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Proven expertise in statistical modeling, ML algorithms (regression, classification, clustering, deep learning).
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas).
• Experience with large-scale data processing frameworks (Spark, Hadoop).
• Strong SQL skills and experience with multiple database systems.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their data/ML services is highly desirable.
• Excellent data visualization skills (Tableau, Matplotlib, Seaborn).
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of ML models and advanced analytics.
• Mentor and manage a team of data scientists, fostering a high-performing environment.
• Collaborate with product, engineering, and business units to identify analytical needs.
• Define project roadmaps, prioritize tasks, and ensure timely delivery of DS initiatives.
• Develop and deploy predictive models, statistical analyses, and data visualizations to drive value.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, algorithms, and methodologies for DS capabilities.
• Ensure quality, integrity, and reproducibility of DS work.
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay current with advancements in DS, ML, and AI.
• Contribute to data governance and best practices within the organization.

Skills

Leadership

Data science leadership

ML & statistics

Python

SQL

Cloud platforms

Data visualization

Education

PhD or MSc in quantitative field

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Pandas

Spark

Hadoop

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Lead Data Scientist to drive innovation and strategic insights for a global client base. You will lead a team of data scientists, mentor juniors, and collaborate with product and engineering teams to deploy advanced analytics solutions from anywhere in South Africa.

You will design, implement, and deploy ML models, conduct statistical analyses, and translate findings into actionable business strategies while staying ahead of the latest data science advancements.