Remote Senior Automotive Data Scientist - Predictive Analytics

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work arrangement

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Professional development opportunities

Home office stipend

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Automotive Data Scientist to join a remote-first team in South Africa. You will develop predictive analytics for vehicle performance, maintenance, and driver behavior, leveraging ML and big data techniques.

Lead projects, mentor junior data scientists, and collaborate with engineers and product teams to integrate data-driven solutions. Remote work offers flexibility while delivering impact across the automotive domain.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related field.
• 7+ years of professional Data Scientist experience, automotive/IoT preferred.
• Proven expertise in machine learning, deep learning, statistical modeling, and predictive analytics.
• Programming in Python or R with relevant ML libraries.
• Experience with big data tech (Spark/Hadoop) and databases (SQL/NoSQL).
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) for data workloads.
• Strong communication and ability to lead in a remote team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy predictive models for vehicle diagnostics and maintenance scheduling.
• Analyze sensor, telematics, and usage data to derive driver and vehicle insights.
• Design ML algorithms for anomaly detection and performance optimization.
• Collaborate with engineers, software developers, and product managers to embed data solutions.
• Clean, transform, and manage large datasets ensuring quality.
• Present findings with clear visualizations for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay abreast of data science advances and apply them to automotive challenges.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to team growth.
• Evaluate and adopt new data science tools and technologies.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and ethics.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Independent work

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Data Science/CS/Statistics/Math

Tools

Python

R

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Spark

Hadoop

SQL/NoSQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forefront innovator in the automotive technology sector, is seeking a highly accomplished and forward-thinking Senior Automotive Data Scientist to join their dynamic, remote-first team. This crucial position will leverage advanced data science techniques to develop predictive analytics models for vehicle performance, maintenance, and driver behavior. As a remote employee, you will have the unparalleled flexibility to contribute your expertise from anywhere in South Africa, collaborating with a global team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of automotive innovation. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of machine learning, statistical modeling, and large-scale data processing within the automotive context. This is an exceptional opportunity to drive significant advancements in automotive intelligence and customer experience, working from the comfort of your home office. We are looking for a data-driven leader with a proven ability to extract actionable insights from complex automotive datasets.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy advanced predictive models for vehicle diagnostics, failure prediction, and maintenance scheduling.
• Analyze vast datasets from vehicle sensors, telematics, and user interactions to uncover insights into driver behavior and vehicle performance.
• Design and implement machine learning algorithms for applications such as anomaly detection, performance optimization, and personalized driver experiences.
• Collaborate with automotive engineers, software developers, and product managers to integrate data-driven solutions into vehicle systems and services.
• Clean, transform, and manage large, complex datasets to ensure data quality and integrity.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders through clear visualizations and reports.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and their applications in the automotive industry.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's technical growth.
• Evaluate and implement new data science tools and technologies.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations and ethical considerations.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with significant experience in the automotive industry or related fields (e.g., IoT, complex systems).
• Proven expertise in machine learning, deep learning, statistical modeling, and predictive analytics.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and database management (SQL/NoSQL).
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) for data science workloads.
• Strong understanding of automotive data sources (telematics, CAN bus, sensor data) is a significant advantage.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex data science projects from inception to deployment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary package up to ZAR , reflecting extensive experience and leadership.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering exceptional flexibility and work-life balance.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, attending virtual conferences, and obtaining certifications.
• Access to cutting-edge data science tools and powerful computing resources.
• A chance to shape the future of automotive technology through data-driven insights.
• Home office stipend and technical support.
• Regular virtual team meetings, collaboration sessions, and knowledge sharing.