Lead Data Scientist in Dunfermline

Lead Data Scientist in Dunfermline

Dunfermline Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Datasource Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design and deployment of cutting-edge AI architectures that make a real societal impact.
  • Company: Join a top digital consultancy transforming technology in government and public sectors.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, private medical insurance, and a matched pension contribution.
  • Other info: Flexible working options available; diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI innovation and work on projects that truly matter.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in Python, AI/ML solutions, and cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

Lead AI Architect –Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Manchester or Newcastle– Hybrid – Permanent 37.5 hours per week –£85,000 – £102,850 – SC or DV Clearance

Company cultures & job summary

Our client is one of the most recognised names in digital and technical consultancy, working at the cutting edge of technology transformation across government and public sector.

They are not just advising, they are building, deploying, and transforming.

Their Engineering, AI & Data practice is where some of the most ambitious and impactful AI programmes in the UK are taking shape.

The Security & Justice team is at the heart of that a tight-knit group of engineers, data scientists, and architects working on projects that genuinely matter to society.

These are not sandbox experiments.

They are production systems operating in some of the most complex and sensitive environments you will find.

To thrive here, you will need extensive hands-on experience architecting and deploying enterprise-grade AI and ML solutions end-to-end, expert Python skills, and deep knowledge of LLMs, RAG pipelines, and MLOps.

Cloud-agnostic experience across AWS, Azure, and GCP is a must, and you will need to be as comfortable talking to senior stakeholders as you are reviewing a CI/CD pipeline.

SC or DV clearance is required for this role.

Sound like you?

APPLY TODAY and let's talk.

Working Patterns and location – Hybrid – 3 days on site per week

The Key Responsibilities of a Lead AI Architect

  • Design scalable, secure, production-ready AI architectures integrating LLMs and ML models into enterprise workflows.
  • Oversee the full technical lifecycle from model architecture selection through to robust CI/CD and MLOps pipelines.
  • Deploy and optimise models using AWS Bedrock, Azure AI Foundry, or self-hosted GPU/CPU infrastructure with tools like v LLM and Ollama.
  • Design and implement evaluation, monitoring, and observability frameworks to track AI system performance in real time.
  • Translate high-level client requirements into detailed technical roadmaps and actionable engineering tasks.
  • Proactively identify and manage technical risk, including security vulnerabilities and deployment bottlenecks.
  • Lead and mentor cross-functional teams of data scientists and engineers across project delivery.
  • Communicate complex AI concepts clearly to non-technical senior stakeholders, building confidence in AI-driven solutions.

Below is a list of Key Skills required for a Lead AI Architect, however you will not be expected to have everything:

  • Extensive experience designing, developing, and deploying enterprise-grade AI and ML solutions end-to-end.
  • Expert-level Python skills with proficiency in Py Torch, Tensor Flow, Lang Chain, Lang Graph, or similar Gen AI frameworks.
  • Deep knowledge of LLMs, prompt engineering, RAG pipelines, vector databases, and generative AI architectures.
  • Hands-on experience with AI evaluation frameworks, security best practices, and ethical guardrails for production systems.
  • Broad cloud experience across AWS, Azure, and GCP with Generative AI services — cloud-agnostic experience preferred.
  • Strong grasp of MLOps and LLMOps principles including CI/CD for ML, model monitoring, and governance frameworks.
  • Proven ability to lead technical teams and manage stakeholder relationships at a senior level.
  • Ability to assess client challenges pragmatically and determine when AI is the right solution versus a simpler approach.
  • The client would also like to see some of the below, but this is not essential:
  • Ph D or equivalent in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or Artificial Intelligence.
  • Background in traditional ML and AI alongside Generative AI experience.
  • Experience working in complex regulated sectors such as healthcare, government, or justice.
  • Proficiency with large-scale data processing technologies such as SQL, Spark, or Hadoop.
  • Open source contributions or personal projects demonstrating excellence in AI engineering.

Our clients Offer a range of benefits for permanent workers, as well as an excellent salary you will receive the following:

  • 26 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays.
  • Pension contribution matched up to 8%.
  • Private Medical Insurance.
  • Overseas Working Policy – If you have the right to work in another country, can request up to 20 days each year to work remotely.
  • Yearly On Target Bonus.
  • Season Ticket Loans.
  • Paid professional subscription.
  • Life Assurance.

Our client is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

Part-time opportunities/flexible working is available to suit individual needs.

RECOMMEND A FRIEND

If you have professional friends/colleagues who would be interested in one of our roles and our excellent levels of service too, we'd like to recognise your recommendations with a 'thank you' of our own.

For every friend you refer who then starts a role through Datasource either Contract or Permanent, we will send you £200 of Love to Shop Gift Vouchers & gift your friend £100 in Love to Shop Gift Vouchers as well!

You will be required to hold a minimum of SC Clearance. If you do not hold an active SC Clearance, please familiarise yourself with the vetting process before applying.

(c) Copyright Datasource Computer Employment Limited 2026.

Lead Data Scientist in Dunfermline employer: Datasource Recruitment

As a leading employer in the Defence sector, our client offers a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a hybrid working model based in Glasgow, employees benefit from a supportive environment that encourages innovation and collaboration on major capital programmes. The comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance and generous holiday allowances, reflects the company's commitment to the well-being of its staff, making it an excellent choice for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.

Datasource Recruitment

Contact Details:

Datasource Recruitment Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Data Scientist in Dunfermline

Get Involved in Data Science Meetups

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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 Datasource Recruitment.

Apply Directly through Our Website

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We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Scientist in Dunfermline

AI Architecture Design
Machine Learning Solutions Deployment
Expert Python Skills
Proficiency in PyTorch
Proficiency in TensorFlow
Knowledge of LLMs
RAG Pipelines

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!

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Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at Datasource Recruitment, 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 Datasource Recruitment. 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 Datasource Recruitment

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 Datasource Recruitment!

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.