National AI Awards 2025Discover AI's trailblazers! Join us to celebrate innovation and nominate industry leaders.

Nominate & Attend

Principal Data Scientist - Operational Research, Simulation & ML

British Airways
Greater London
1 month ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Principal Data Scientist

Principal Data Scientist

Principal Data Scientist

Principal Data Scientist

Principal Data Scientist - Optimisation

Principal Data Scientist

A career without limits

As the nation's flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain. It's something we've been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world's first international scheduled air service between London and Paris. This originality has been in our blood since day one. It's the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners, and our colleagues.

So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far-flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make. We know great things can happen when you're inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.

Principal Data Scientist - Operational Research, Simulation & ML Optimisation

Join the Operational Decision Support (ODS) team at British Airways, where we build and deploy advanced optimisation, simulation, and machine learning models to improve the efficiency and resilience of airline operations. We're looking for someone who can take models beyond notebooks and turn them into production-ready tools that make a real-world impact.

What you'll do:

  1. Lead the design and deployment of optimisation, simulation, and machine learning models to solve high-impact operational challenges.
  2. Develop and embed predictive and prescriptive analytics into production systems to improve operational performance.
  3. Collaborate with stakeholders and software engineers to co-develop and deploy data science products in production.
  4. Prioritise and manage a portfolio of data science and optimisation projects within an agile delivery model.
  5. Translate complex technical insights into clear recommendations for both technical and non-technical audiences.
  6. Build strong cross-functional relationships and use operational research to drive tangible business outcomes.
  7. Foster a culture of innovation, staying up to date with the latest in simulation, optimisation, and MLOps techniques.

What you'll bring to British Airways:

  1. Deep experience in operational research, simulation modelling, or applied machine learning (in production environments).
  2. Hands-on experience building scalable solutions - not just proof-of-concepts or academic models.
  3. Strong Python skills (and/or other relevant languages), with a track record of delivering robust, maintainable code.
  4. Confidence managing end-to-end projects and engaging senior stakeholders with compelling data-driven insights.
  5. A collaborative mindset and excellent communication skills to influence decisions and share complex ideas clearly.

Your experience:

  1. Background in operational research, data science, applied mathematics, or a related field.
  2. Proven success applying advanced optimisation or ML techniques in a business setting.
  3. Experience deploying production-grade models and solutions that deliver measurable improvements.
  4. Passion for solving real-world problems with data, algorithms, and practical, scalable tools.

What we offer:

We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It's one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. From the day you join us, you'll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You'll also receive up to 30 discounted 'Hotline' airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family.

At British Airways you'll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress. We never stand still, and we don't expect our people to either.

Inclusion & Diversity

At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work. Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we're committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We're looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

National AI Awards 2025

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

AI Jobs UK 2025: 50 Companies Hiring Now

Bookmark this guide – we refresh it every quarter so you always know who’s really scaling their artificial‑intelligence teams. Artificial intelligence hiring has roared back in 2025. The UK’s boosted National AI Strategy funding, record‑breaking private investment (£18.1 billion so far) & a fresh wave of generative‑AI product launches mean employers are jockeying for data scientists, ML engineers, MLOps specialists, AI product managers, prompt engineers & applied researchers. Below are 50 organisations that have advertised UK‑based AI vacancies in the past eight weeks or formally announced growth plans. They’re grouped into five easy‑scan categories so you can jump straight to the kind of employer – & culture – that suits you. For each company you’ll find: Main UK hub Example live or recent vacancy Why it’s worth a look (tech stack, culture, mission) Use the internal links to browse current vacancies on ArtificialIntelligenceJobs.co.uk – or set up a free job alert so fresh roles land in your inbox.

Return-to-Work Pathways: Relaunch Your AI Career with Returnships, Flexible & Hybrid Roles

Stepping back into the workplace after a career break can feel like embarking on a whole new journey—especially in a cutting-edge field such as artificial intelligence (AI). For parents and carers, the challenge isn’t just refreshing your technical know-how but also securing a role that respects your family commitments. Fortunately, the UK’s tech sector now boasts a wealth of return-to-work programmes—from formal returnships to flexible and hybrid opportunities. These pathways are designed to bridge the gap, equipping you with refreshed skills, confidence and a supportive network. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover how to: Understand the booming demand for AI talent in the UK Leverage transferable skills honed during your break Overcome common re-entry challenges Build your AI skillset with targeted training Tap into returnship and re-entry programmes Find flexible, hybrid and full-time AI roles that suit your lifestyle Balance professional growth with caring responsibilities Master applications, interviews and networking Whether you’re returning after maternity leave, eldercare duties or another life chapter, this article will equip you with practical steps, resources and insider tips.

LinkedIn Profile Checklist for AI Jobs: 10 Tweaks That Triple Recruiter Views

In today’s fiercely competitive AI job market, simply having a LinkedIn profile isn’t enough. Recruiters and hiring managers routinely scout for top talent in machine learning, data science, natural language processing, computer vision and beyond—sometimes before roles are even posted. With hundreds of applicants vying for each role, you need a profile that’s optimised for search, speaks directly to AI-specific skills, and showcases measurable impact. By following this step-by-step LinkedIn for AI jobs checklist, you’ll make ten strategic tweaks that can triple recruiter views and position you as a leading AI professional. Whether you’re a fresh graduate aiming for your first AI position or a seasoned expert targeting a senior role, these actionable changes will ensure your profile stands out in feeds, search results and recruiter queues. Let’s dive in.