Principal Data Scientist

The Role

As a Principal Data Scientist, you bring a wealth of commercial experience applying data science to solve complex business challenges. You are equally comfortable designing predictive models, exploring emerging technologies, and explaining data science concepts to non-technical stakeholders. With a consulting mindset, you know how to uncover business value, shape opportunities in pre-sales, and guide clients through successful data science adoption.

You will thrive in this role if you are:

• A curious problem solver who challenges the status quo
• Comfortable bridging the gap between technical data science and client business needs
• Passionate about innovation and exploring “what’s next” in AI and ML
• Experienced in working within Agile methodologies and consultancy environments
• Committed to mentoring and developing data scientists in our team

Role Responsibilities

Data Science Leadership

• Lead the design and development of advanced predictive and traditional ML models
• Provide technical guidance to teams and clients, ensuring best practices in ML development and deployment
• Contribute expertise in ML Ops, supporting clients as they take models into production environments
• Ensure delivery quality and technical excellence across all phases of an AI/ML project

Innovation & Thought Leadership

• Stay at the forefront of new data science and AI trends
• Evaluate and experiment with emerging techniques, tools, and frameworks
• Help clients understand the real-world business value of innovation in data science
• Represent Valtech externally through conference speaking, publishing white papers, and blogging

Client Engagement & Consulting

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior business and technical stakeholders
• Collaborate in pre-sales alongside Valtech’s business development teams, shaping data science opportunities and proposals
• Translate complex data science concepts into clear, compelling narratives for non-technical audiences
• Run workshops and discovery sessions with clients to identify high-impact data opportunities

Must-have Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering AI/ML systems with proven commercial impact
• Strong background in predictive modelling, statistical techniques, and Machine Learning
• Demonstrated consulting experience - able to present and influence at senior levels
• Ability to explain complex data science concepts in simple, business-focused language
• Strong communication, collaboration, and client-facing skills
• Appetite for continuous learning and innovation
• Knowledge of Generative AI models and techniques (e.g. LLMs, transformer architecture, RAG)
• Upper-intermediate English level

Nice-to-have Qualifications

• Hands-on experience designing and deploying Generative AI solutions, including Agentic AI systems.
• Familiarity with cloud-based data science platforms (AWS Sagemaker, GCP Vertex AI, Azure ML)
• Experience with MLOps practices and taking models into production environments
• Exposure to modern data engineering practices and integration with data pipelines
• Pre-sales experience, including proposal writing and solution shaping
• Familiarity with promoting responsible and ethical AI practices, including data governance, transparency, and fairness in model development