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# Principal Data Scientist

- **Company:** British Airways
- **Location:** Hounslow, UK
- **Salary:** £54,731.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Web Platforms, Build Management
- **Published:** July 27, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.adzuna.co.uk/jobs/details/5816696514

## About the Role

* Strong analytical mindset with the ability to structure ambiguous problems
 * Proven technical leadership in data science and machine learning delivery
 * Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to senior and non-technical audiences
 * Confidence challenging constructively and influencing senior stakeholders
 * Strong stakeholder relationship-building capability
 * Experience coaching, developing and line-managing others
 * Ethical and responsible approach to data science and AI
 * Collaborative, empowering and resilient working style
 * Continuous improvement mindset with a strong focus on business impact

Your experience:

 * Numerate degree or equivalent with data science components
 * Experience of leading others in applying data science to business problems
 * Experience in developing industrialised software, especially data science or machine learning
software products

 * Experience in relevant business domains (transportation, airlines, operations, network problems)
(preferred)

## Description

Principal Data Scientist

You'll be part of our Data & AI Delivery team, acting as a technical leader for the application of data science, machine learning, and AI across the organisation. This team plays a critical role in enabling secure, scalable and high-performing data and AI products that underpin data-driven decision-making across British Airways.

What you'll do:

 * Lead the end-to-end delivery and lifecycle management of data science products and initiatives
 * Scope and frame ill-defined business problems and define data science solutions aligned with business goals
 * Manage and coach data science teams delivering predictive models, optimisation engines and decision-support tools
 * Design, build and deploy production-ready data science solutions that integrate with business processes and digital platforms
 * Ensure quality, timely delivery and ongoing value of data science products
 * Acquire, process and analyse large and complex datasets to create high-quality model inputs
 * Translate analytical outputs into clear, actionable business recommendations
 * Provide guidance to stakeholders on how data science solutions improve business outcomes
 * Oversee improvements, maintenance and decommissioning of existing data science products
 * Ensure adherence to published frameworks, best practice, model compliance and ethical standards
 * Monitor industry trends and advancements in data science
 * Work collaboratively within cross-functional Agile squads
 * Contribute to feature prioritisation and road-mapping, balancing speed and long-term value
 * Lead and embed effective agile ways of working, including engineering standards and delivery discipline


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