Remote Principal Data Scientist - Machine Learning

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 3,005,000 - 4,341,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonuses

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer matching

Home office stipend

Professional development & conference참

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Principal Data Scientist specializing in Machine Learning to lead design, development, and deployment of advanced ML models across a globally distributed team.

The role requires 8+ years of experience, deep ML knowledge, and proven ability to mentor data scientists, working across ML, NLP, and deep learning while upholding ethical data practices.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's in a quantitative field with ML specialization.
• 8+ years of data science experience with production ML models.
• Proficiency in Python and libraries: Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch.
• Strong ML algorithms, evaluation, and feature engineering expertise.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and Spark.
• Ability to work remotely and lead with.clear communication.
• MLOps experience (MLflow, Kubeflow) is a plus.
• Portfolio of ML projects and open-source contributions is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development of ML models from data exploration to deployment and monitoring.
• Design and implement advanced ML algorithms including DL, RL, and NLP.
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends and insights.
• Collaborate with engineering, product, and business teams to define problems and drive adoption of ML insights.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines and MLOps practices for scalable deployment.
• Mentor junior data scientists and promote technical excellence.
• Stay updated with ML research and advocate new technologies.
• Communicate complex findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to the company data strategy and AI initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to ethics and data privacy regulations.

Skills

Python

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Leadership

Communication

MLOps

Education

Ph.D. or Master's in CS/Statistics/Math/Physics with ML specialization

Tools

MLflow

Kubeflow

AWS

Azure

GCP

Spark

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading technology firm at the forefront of data innovation, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Remote Principal Data Scientist specializing in Machine Learning. This position is fully remote, offering you the flexibility to work from anywhere. You will lead the design, development, and implementation of sophisticated machine learning models to solve complex business problems and drive strategic decision-making across the organization. The ideal candidate possesses a deep theoretical understanding of ML algorithms, extensive practical experience in deploying models at scale, and a proven ability to mentor junior data scientists. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of data science within a dynamic, globally distributed team and influence impactful projects from your home office.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development lifecycle of machine learning models, from data exploration and feature engineering to model deployment and monitoring.
• Design and implement advanced ML algorithms, including deep learning, reinforcement learning, and natural language processing techniques.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, product, and business teams to define problems, develop solutions, and drive adoption of ML-driven insights.
• Develop and maintain robust data pipelines and MLOps practices for scalable model deployment.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.
• Stay at the cutting edge of ML research and advocate for the adoption of new technologies and methodologies.
• Communicate complex technical findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to the company's data strategy and drive innovation in AI/ML applications.
• Ensure all model development and deployment adheres to ethical guidelines and data privacy regulations.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field with a specialization in Machine Learning.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in data science and machine learning, with a significant track record of delivering impactful production models.
• Extensive experience with Python and its core data science libraries (e.g., Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Proven expertise in various ML algorithms, model evaluation techniques, and feature engineering strategies.
• Strong experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Spark).
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative environment.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience with MLOps tools and practices (e.g., MLflow, Kubeflow) is highly desirable.
• Ability to translate business needs into technical solutions and vice versa.
• A portfolio of successful ML projects and contributions to open-source projects is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, competitive with top tech firms globally, and substantial performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance are provided.
• A generous retirement savings plan with significant employer matching is available.
• We offer a flexible and supportive work environment with extensive resources for professional development, including access to cutting-edge tools, training, and conference attendance.
• This role includes generous paid time off and provides a home office stipend.
• The opportunity to lead impactful AI initiatives and work with a world-class remote team is a key advantage.
• We foster a culture of innovation, autonomy, and continuous learning.