Data Scientist

Role purposeThis role is responsible for developing industrialised optimisation and machine learning models as part of a full-stack product squad that delivers operations decision-support software.
Contract – 12 months (high potential to extend further)Location – HeathrowHybrid – 2 to 3 days onsitePay – Flexible daily rate (inside IR35)Scope

As a key member of a product squad and reporting to the Lead Product Data Scientist, a Data Scientist will develop data pipelines, machine learning models, andplex optimization models in the ODS software product suite. The Data Scientist is in charge of modelling and robust implementation of features contributing to an operations decision-support product. In developing a product’s core algorithm, the full-stack Data Scientist role will ensure that their features integrate seamlessly into the product’s technical stack (data ingestion, user interface, orchestration) as well as the business process and use case (, to maximise impact and value.

AccountabilitiesThe Data Scientist has full-stack accountabilities across the full value chain of building an industrialised data-science software product:Understanding a business problem and itsponent processes end to end, and identifying opportunities to make decisions more optimally leveraging decision-support toolingEfficiently conducting analyses and visualisations to identify valuable opportunities for decision-support and to determine trade-offs between different potential feature implementationsPrototyping advanced machine learning and optimization models to prove the value of a use case and approach (in Python)Delivering features to industrialise machine learning and optimization models in Python using best-practice software principles (, strict typing, classes, testing)Build automated, robust data cleaning pipelines that follow software best-practices (in Python)Implementing integrations between the core algorithm (machine-learning or optimization) and a workflow orchestration paradigm such as DagsterImplementing software in a cloud-based deployment pipeline with Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) principlesBuilding logging, error handling, and automated tests (, unit tests, regression tests) to ensure the robustness of operationally critical decision-support productsDeliver features to harden an algorithm against edge cases in the operation and in dataConduct analysis to quantify the adoption and value-capture from a decision-support productEngage with business stakeholders to collect requirements and get feedbackContribute to conversations on feature prioritisation and roadmap, with an understanding of the trade-off between speed vs. long-term valueUnderstand and integrate the product into existing business processes, and contribute to the development and adoption of new business processes leveraging a decision-support product.The Data Scientist is also accountable for ways of working fit for an Agile cross-functional development squad, including:Using Git-versioning best practices for version controlContributing and reviewing pull-requests and product / technical documentationGiving input on prioritisation, team process improvements, optimising technology choicesWorking independently and giving predictability on delivery timelinesSkills/capabilitiesStrong knowledge of either machine learning and optimization techniques, incl. supervised (regression, tree methods, etc.), unsupervised (clustering) learning, and operations research (linear, mixed integer programming, heuristics)Fluent in Python (required) and other programming languages (preferred)with strong skills in applying DS, ML, and OR packages (scikit-learn, pandas, numpy, gurobietc.) to solve real-life problems and visualise the oues ( seaborn)Proficient in working with cloud platforms (AWS preferred), code versioning (Git), experiment tracking ( MLflow)Experience with cloud-based ML tools ( SageMaker), data and model versioning ( DVC), CI/CD ( GitHub Actions), workflow orchestration ( Airflow/Dagster) and containerised solutions ( Docker, ECS) nice to haveExperience in code testing (unit, integration, end-to-end tests)Strong data engineering skills in SQL and PythonProficient in use of Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint SkillsAdvanced analytical skills, including the ability to apply a range of data science and analytic techniques to quickly generate accurate business insightsUnderstanding of the trade-offs of different data science, machine learning, and optimization approaches, and ability to intelligently select which are the best candidates to solve a particular business problemAble to structure business and technical problems, identify trade-offs, and propose solutionsManaging priorities and timelines to deliver features in a timely manner that meets business requirementsCollaborative team-working, giving and receiving feedbackQualifications/experienceMaster’s degree or greater in data science, ML, or operational research, or 2+ years of highly relevant industry experience (required)Extensive working on production ML or optimization software products at scale (required)Experience in developing industrialised software, especially data science or machine learning software products (preferred)Experience in relevant business domains (transportation, airlines, operations, network problems) (preferred)