A career without limitsAs 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.The role:Principal Product Data ScientistYou’ll be part of the Operations Delivery Intelligence (ODI) directorate, working within integrated operations product squads to build and embed industrialised decision‑support software products. This area plays a critical role in improving operational outcomes by applying advanced machine learning and optimisation techniques to real‑world decision‑making challenges across the airline.What you’ll do:Act as the technical owner of one or more production‑grade data science product codebasesLead the end‑to‑end delivery of decision‑support software across the full product lifecycleUnderstand complex operational business problems end to end and identify opportunities for data‑driven optimisationDrive modelling and system design decisions, balancing implementation time, system behaviour, technical debt and business valuePrototype, build and deliver industrialised machine learning and optimisation models in PythonDesign and build robust data ingestion, cleaning and processing pipelinesImplement orchestration pipelines and CI/CD deployment processesEnsure software quality through logging, error handling and automated testingHarden algorithms against operational and data edge casesQuantify product adoption and value captureEngage with business stakeholders to gather requirements and feedbackContribute to feature prioritisation and roadmap discussionsSupport integration of decision‑support products into operational business processesCommunicate modelling approaches, trade‑offs and results clearly to technical and business audiencesMentor and support junior team membersContribute to agile ways of working, including Git versioning, code reviews and delivery predictabilityWhat you’ll bring to British Airways:Expert capability in applied machine learning, optimisation and operational research techniquesStrong Python expertise with experience delivering production‑quality data science softwareExperience working with cloud platforms and modern ML toolingStrong software engineering discipline including testing, CI/CD and version controlAbility to structure complex business and technical problems and propose pragmatic solutionsClear communication skills across technical and non‑technical audiencesCollaborative working style with a focus on continuous improvementSystems‑thinking mindset with attention to detailCuriosity, resilience and adaptability in fast‑moving environmentsStrong commitment to delivering measurable business valueYour experience:Master’s degree or greater in data science, ML, or operational research, or 6+ years of highly relevant industry experience (required)4-6 years working on production ML or optimization software products at scale (required)Experience in developing industrialized software, especially data science or machine learning software products (required)Experience in relevant business domains (transportation, airlines, operations, network problems) (preferred)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 & DiversityAt 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.
Principal Product Data Scientist - Operations Delivery Intelligence in Feltham employer: British Airways
British Airways is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of the aviation industry. As a Lead Product Data Scientist, you will have access to cutting-edge technology and significant opportunities for professional growth, all while contributing to impactful projects that enhance operational efficiency. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on delivering measurable business value, British Airways provides a rewarding environment for those looking to make a difference in their careers.
