Senior Data Scientist I - QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey

McKinsey & Company; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm seeks a Senior Data Scientist I in Johannesburg or Casablanca. You will lead AI and machine learning initiatives to solve complex business challenges, mentoring other data scientists, and building impactful analytics solutions. Requires a strong background in computer science or related fields, and 5-7+ years of technical experience in machine learning. Excellent verbal communication skills in English are essential.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Resources for leadership development

Global community collaboration

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of deep technical experience in distributed computing, machine learning, and related areas.
• Proven application of analytical and statistical methods in the business world.
• Exceptional time management and ability to work autonomously.
• Leadership experience, either thought or people leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI and machine learning solutions to address complex business challenges.
• Mentor other data scientists and shape R&D initiatives.
• Build end-to-end analytics solutions with real-world impact.
• Collaborate globally with multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Deep learning

Machine learning

Python

SQL

R

Scala

Client-facing skills

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in computer science, machine learning, statistics, mathematics, engineering, or AI

Tools

Python

PySpark

SQL

Airflow

Databricks

Kedro

Dask

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

GCP

Azure

Job description

Driving lasting impact and building long-term capabilities with our clients is challenging work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high-performance, high-reward culture—embracing hard tasks, resilience, and continuous learning.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we provide resources, mentorship, and opportunities to accelerate your leadership development. Your colleagues will invest in your growth as much as in delivering exceptional results for clients. Daily apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure will foster your growth uniquely.

When you join us, you will have :

• Continuous learning: Our culture emphasizes growth through structured programs, feedback, and ownership of your development journey.
• A voice that matters: Your ideas and contributions are valued from day one, influencing outcomes through innovation and practical solutions.
• Global community: Collaborate with colleagues across 65+ countries and 100+ nationalities, fostering diversity and creativity.
• World-class benefits: Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits supporting your and your family's well-being.

As a Senior Data Scientist I, you will lead AI and machine learning solutions to address complex business challenges across industries, delivering measurable impact at scale.

You will leverage deep learning, reinforcement learning, and AI to generate insights and improve performance. Mentoring other data scientists, shaping R&D, and identifying high-potential initiatives will be key. Working with data engineers, ML engineers, and designers, you will build end-to-end analytics solutions with real-world impact.

Your work will transform industries by helping clients gain a competitive edge, solve critical challenges, and improve operations sustainably.

Based in Johannesburg or Casablanca, you will collaborate globally with multidisciplinary teams on projects that solve complex business problems. You will lead the development and application of advanced AI solutions to drive business impact.

At McKinsey, you will thrive in an environment for growth—working on impactful projects, connecting technology with business value, and advancing as a technologist and leader.

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in computer science, machine learning, statistics, mathematics, engineering, or AI

5-7+ years of deep technical experience in distributed computing, machine learning, and related areas

Programming in Python, R, Scala, SQL

Proven application of analytical and statistical methods in the business world

Knowledge of distributed computing or NoSQL is a bonus

Client-facing skills in data warehousing, machine learning, etc.

Experience with technologies like Python, PySpark, SQL, Airflow, Databricks, Kedro, Dask, Docker, Kubernetes, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)

Exceptional time management and ability to work autonomously

Leadership experience, either thought or people leadership

Willingness to travel

Strong communication skills in English and local languages, able to explain complex concepts effectively

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