At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data science projects, mentor teams, and shape impactful models at British Airways.
- Company: Join British Airways, a leader in the aviation industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff travel perks, career development, and an inclusive culture.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping data strategy and driving business outcomes.
- Qualifications: Experience in data science leadership and developing ML software products required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Overview
As Principal Data Scientist you will lead end-to-end data science delivery within the Data & AI function, shaping high-value models and decision-support tools.
You’ll work in Agile squads to design, productionise and maintain scalable solutions that integrate with business processes.
You will ensure model compliance, ethical responsibility, and continuous improvement of the team and ways of working.
You’ll mentor others, foster collaboration, and drive impact across critical business areas at British Airways.
- Pay / Benefits
- staff travel benefits
- unlimited basic and premium standby tickets
- up to 30 discounted airfares per year for family and friends
- career development opportunities
- inclusive culture
- opportunity to shape data strategy
Responsibilities
- Co-manage and coach data science teams to deliver a portfolio of products from scoping to delivery
- Frame ill-defined client needs and align data science solutions with business goals
- Ensure timely, high-quality delivery of data science products for their area
- Report on team KPIs
- Prepare inputs from raw data for models and improve data quality
- Design and train data science products (models, analytics tools, NLP, anomaly detection, forecasts, optimization, decision support)
- Work with Digital teams to productionise models and deliver interfaces
- Translate results into actionable business recommendations
- Guide stakeholders on how models can improve outcomes
- Collaborate with cross-functional business and Digital teams
- Oversee lifecycle management of existing data science products for value and feasibility
- Monitor industry trends and publish framework adherence and ethical practices
- Line manage and coach team members to reach potential
- Contribute to feature prioritisation and roadmap discussions
- Communicate modelling approaches and results to stakeholders
- Contribute to agile development squad practices (Git, PRs, documentation)
- Provide independent delivery timelines and team coverage when needed
- Lead others on projects
- Manage priorities and timelines to meet business requirements
- Foster collaborative, feedback-driven team processes
- Key requirements
- Numerate degree or equivalent with data science components
- Experience of leading others applying data science to business problems
- Experience in developing industrialised software, especially data science or ML software products (required)
- Experience in relevant business domains (transportation, airlines, operations) (preferred)
- Strong ability to structure problems and communicate with senior groups
- Proficiency in building and deploying production-ready ML pipelines using Python
- Comprehensive cloud understanding
- Advanced data wrangling using SQL and Python
- Strong stakeholder relationship management and data science strategy setting
- Ability to coach and manage teams and lead Scrum ceremonies
- Proficient in Git versioning and Dev Ops practices
- Experience explaining complex technical concepts to varied audiences
- Ability to manage projects with Agile principles and QA
- Capability to apply software engineering principles (Git, Python)
- Experience with data science product lifecycle management
- Experience in creating decision-support tools and optimisation models
- Excellent collaboration and feedback culture
- Inclusion and diversity minded
- Stakeholder management
- Coaching and mentoring
- Effective communication with senior groups
- Python
- SQL
- Git
Principal Data Scientist in Heathrow 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Data Scientist in Heathrow
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like British Airways!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Start building a public portfolio showcasing your data science projects on platforms like GitHub or personal websites. Highlight unique analyses or models you've developed. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gets your name out there for roles like Principal Data Scientist at British Airways.
✨Leverage Professional Networks
Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like British Airways.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you find a suitable opening like Principal Data Scientist at British Airways, make sure to apply directly through our website. It gives you an edge and shows you're keen to join our team. Plus, who doesn’t love a direct application? It’s easier than navigating through job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Scientist in Heathrow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at British Airways, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at British Airways. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at British Airways
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at British Airways!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
