Senior Data Scientist - AI Platforms

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive compensation

Equity opportunities

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria seeks a Senior Data Scientist to lead AI platform development within the Technology division. You will architect scalable data pipelines and ML infrastructure, guiding projects from concept to production.

The role requires 5+ years in data science, advanced degrees, and strong Python/R, SQL, TensorFlow/PyTorch expertise. A hybrid work model, competitive compensation, and opportunities for equity and professional growth are offered in the Gauteng region.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, CS or related quantitative field.
• 5+ years as Data Scientist with focus on platform development.
• Proficient in Python or R and SQL.
• Experience building ML models with TensorFlow or PyTorch.
• Experience with Spark, Hadoop and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP).

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain scalable data pipelines and ML infrastructure.
• Apply statistical modeling and machine learning to solve complex problems.
• Collaborate with engineering to deploy ML models in production.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to inform platform development.
• Develop monitoring strategies for AI platform performance.
• Mentor junior data scientists and support technical growth.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Spark

Hadoop

Cloud platforms

Education

Master's or PhD in Data Science or related field

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

SQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Data Scientist to lead the development and enhancement of AI platforms within their Technology division in Pretoria . This role focuses on leveraging advanced data science techniques to build scalable, robust, and efficient AI infrastructure that supports a wide range of machine learning applications. You will be instrumental in defining the architecture and implementing the core components of our next-generation AI platforms. This is an exciting opportunity to work on challenging problems, collaborate with top talent, and make a substantial impact on the company's technological capabilities, based in the administrative capital of Gauteng .

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable data pipelines and ML infrastructure components.
• Apply advanced statistical modeling and machine learning techniques to solve complex problems.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to deploy and optimize ML models in production environments.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to identify trends, patterns, and insights that inform platform development.
• Develop monitoring and evaluation strategies for AI platform performance and reliability.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's technical growth.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of experience as a Data Scientist or in a similar role, with a focus on platform development.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and SQL.
• Expertise in building and deploying machine learning models using frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.

Benefits

• Attractive salary package with annual bonuses and potential equity.
• Hybrid work model allowing for a blend of in-office and remote work.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.
• A collaborative and innovative work culture in the heart of Pretoria .