Senior Data Scientist

X, bigly labs; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 000 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare innovation hub in Pretoria seeks a Senior Data Scientist to lead the design and development of advanced analytics solutions. This pivotal role requires a deep understanding of data science and AI, where you will develop predictive models, optimize data pipelines, and drive AI innovation. Ideal candidates have 6–8 years of experience, a degree in a relevant field, and proficiency in Python, R, SQL, as well as MLOps tools. Join us and help reshape the future of healthcare in South Africa.

Qualifications

• 6–8+ years of experience in data science, with at least 2–3 years in a senior or lead role.
• Proven experience in developing and deploying machine learning models in production environments.
• Solid understanding of data engineering principles and cloud data architectures.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain predictive models
• Optimize data pipelines
• Drive AI innovation
• Translate insights into action
• Mentor data professionals
• Ensure ethical AI and compliance

Skills

Machine learning model deployment

Data pipeline optimization

Python programming

R programming

SQL proficiency

MLOps tools experience

Stakeholder engagement

Education

B's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Azure

AWS

GCP

MLflow

Kubeflow

Airflow

Job description

We are X, bigly labs, Dis-Chem’s high-performance innovation hub; a place where bold ideas meet data, design, and radical customer focus to reimagine what healthcare can be.

Our mission is to power the future of healthcare by lowering costs, unlocking new possibilities, and improving access to healthcare for all South Africans. We do this through cutting-edge digital solutions that deliver smarter, more human, and truly patient-focused experiences. Here, your work is not limited to a whiteboard; it becomes real. It drives decisions, shapes experiences, and moves healthcare forward. We are driven by one big question: How do we use data and today’s technology to build breakthroughs to better health?

There’s only one question left: are you ready to make healthcare smarter, and actually mean it?

The Senior Data Scientist will lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced analytics and machine learning solutions that drive strategic decision-making and operational efficiency. This role requires a deep understanding of data science, data engineering, and AI concepts, and will play a pivotal role in embedding intelligent automation and predictive modelling across the organisation.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR?

• B’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field.
• 6–8+ years of experience in data science, with at least 2–3 years in a senior or lead role.
• Proven experience in developing and deploying machine learning models in production environments.
• Strong proficiency in Python, R, SQL, and ML libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Solid understanding of data engineering principles and cloud data architectures (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP).
• Experience with MLOps tools (e.g., MLflow, Kubeflow, Airflow).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING?

• Develop and maintain predictive models
• Communication & Influence
• Optimise data pipelines
• Drive AI innovation
• Translate insights into action
• Mentor data professionals
• Ensure ethical AI and compliance

WHO YOU ARE?

You’re an experienced ML/AI practitioner who builds and deploys models end-to-end, works confidently with data pipelines and cloud platforms, codes fluently in Python/R/SQL using modern tooling, mentors others on best practices, and communicates insights clearly through strong visual storytelling.

Our values show up in how we think, build, and make choices that make an impact. We are building a culture that drives progress; one that fixes friction, chases what changes, and owns the outcome. We design with tomorrow in mind, ask sharper questions, and answer them with care, urgency, and systems that scale.

Think you’ve got energy, curiosity, and guts? Come hold the space, make it matter, and own a breakthrough.