At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of advanced AI/ML solutions for innovative banking products.
- Company: Join a global fintech leader transforming the future of finance.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work, competitive pay, health coverage, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Shape cutting-edge technology and make a real impact in the financial sector.
- Qualifications: MSc or higher in AI, Data Science, or related field with strong programming skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
SBS is seeking a Lead/Principal Data Scientist to join its growing Data & AI function in the UK. This is a senior, high-impact role responsible for shaping and delivering advanced data science solutions across SBS products and client engagements. The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise with strategic leadership, driving the development of scalable AI/ML models, influencing product innovation, and enabling clients to unlock value from their data.
Location: Greater London, UK
Hybrid: Flexible Onsite Schedule
Responsibilities
- Data Science Leadership
- Lead the design and delivery of advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI solutions across SBS platforms and client projects
- Act as a technical authority for data science, setting best practices and standards across the organization
- Mentor and guide junior and senior data scientists, fostering a high-performance, collaborative team environment
- Model Development & Deployment
- Develop and deploy machine learning models for use cases such as: Fraud detection, Credit risk modeling, Customer segmentation and personalization, Forecasting and optimization
- Ensure models are scalable, explainable, and production-ready
- Work closely with engineering teams to operationalize models within production environments (MLOps)
- Product & Innovation
- Partner with Product, Engineering, and Architecture teams to embed AI capabilities into SBS solutions
- Identify opportunities to leverage AI/ML to enhance banking products and client outcomes
- Drive innovation through experimentation with emerging technologies (e.g., GenAI, LLMs, predictive analytics)
- Client Engagement & Stakeholder Management
- Engage with clients and internal stakeholders to understand business challenges and translate them into data science solutions
- Present insights, models, and recommendations to senior leadership and client executives
- Act as a trusted advisor on data strategy and AI adoption
- Data Strategy & Governance
- Support the development of data strategy frameworks, ensuring alignment with regulatory and compliance requirements
- Promote best practices in data governance, model validation, and ethical AI usage
Qualifications
- Required Background: MSc or Higher in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Data Science, or a closely related discipline
- Required Skills:
- Proficiency in Generative and Agentic AI
- Proficiency in AI/ML model development, including feature selection, XAI techniques, and consensus modelling
- Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, Java, or similar) and experience with open-source AI libraries
- Ability to integrate AI models into commercial software architectures and ensure compliance with GDPR and security standards
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; capable of designing and validating algorithms
- Strong communication skills, stakeholder engagement, and technical reporting
- Experience with Generative AI Retrieval-Augmented Generation, and cloud deployment
- Familiarity with financial data structures and API integration (desirable)
- Required Attributes:
- Highly motivated, adaptable, and able to work independently while collaborating with academic and industry teams
- Commercial awareness and ability to align technical solutions with business objectives
- Strong organizational skills to manage complex, multi-stage projects
- Strong written and spoken English, with excellent communication skills
- Preferred Experience:
- Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related field
- Experience with GenAI / LLMs and NLP applications
- Knowledge of regulatory frameworks in financial services (e.g., GDPR, model risk governance)
Company Overview
At SBS, we’re more than just a technology company, we’re a global fintech partner helping banks and financial institutions transform, innovate, and grow. With over 5,000 employees worldwide and clients in more than 80 countries, our solutions power everything from digital banking and lending to payments and core banking systems. As part of 74Software, we’re backed by a group of leading software companies delivering mission-critical solutions worldwide. Our focus is on delivering long-term value, leveraging cutting-edge technology, and fostering strong client partnerships. Join us and be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team shaping the future of finance.
Why SBS? At SBS, we’re committed to supporting our employees in every aspect of their lives, from health and wellbeing to financial security and lifestyle perks. We offer benefits that allow you to thrive at work and beyond, including health coverage, retirement plans, paid time off, flexible work, career development, competitive pay, and global culture perks.
Equal Opportunity Employer We are committed to providing equal opportunities and ensuring a fair and inclusive recruitment process. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or any other protected characteristic.
Principal DevOps Architect III employer: SBS
At SBS, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our Sheffield/London locations provide unique opportunities for professional growth in the rapidly evolving field of cloud cyber security, with access to ongoing training and development programmes. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a hybrid work model that promotes work-life balance and employee well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal DevOps Architect III
✨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 SBS!
✨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 DevOps Architect III at SBS.
✨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 SBS.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you find a suitable opening like Principal DevOps Architect III at SBS, 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 DevOps Architect III
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 SBS, 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 SBS. 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 SBS
✨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 SBS!
✨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.
