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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead Data Scientist, Manufacturing & AI - **Company:** Novolex Sustainability - **Location:** Chicago, IL, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $135,000.0 - $160,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis, Computer Vision, Microsoft Azure, Code Review, Data Governance, R (Programming Language), Python (Programming Language), Machine Learning, Operational Data Store, Power BI, Azure Machine Learning, SQL Databases, Tableau (Software), Apache Spark, IT Architecture, Deep Learning, Git, Microsoft Fabric, Pyspark, Information Technology, Modeling and Simulation, Machine Learning Operations, Databricks - **Published:** August 7, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/2c3cd809-55e7-4401-bacf-1b7d987e3014 ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Statistics, Industrial Engineering, or related field required. * Master's degree preferred * 8+ years of Data Science, AI, or Machine Learning experience. * 3-5 years leading technical teams or Data Scientists. * Manufacturing, industrial automation, or process manufacturing experience required. Technical Expertise * Python, SQL, Spark/PySpark, R, Git * Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Time Series Forecasting, Computer Vision, Optimization, MLOps * Microsoft Fabric, Azure AI Foundry/Azure AI Services, Azure Machine Learning, Azure Databricks * OSIsoft PI System, Insight, Vorne, MES, ERP, Industrial IoT platforms * Power BI, Tableau, enterprise dashboard development Leadership Competencies * Strategic Leadership * Enterprise Digital Transformation * Manufacturing AI * Industry 4.0 * Operational Excellence * Cross-functional Influence * Executive Communication * Coaching & Talent Development * Innovation * Business Acumen ## Description The Lead Data Scientist provides technical and people leadership for enterprise Manufacturing AI, Machine Learning, and Industry 4.0 initiatives supporting the Digital Manufacturing organization. This role is responsible for developing and deploying scalable AI-driven solutions that improve safety, quality, reliability, productivity, asset performance, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) across a multi-plant manufacturing network. The ideal candidate would be located in the Chicago, Charlotte, Atlanta, or Dallas area. The position partners with Operational Excellence, Asset Care, Engineering, IT, Supply Chain, Plant Leadership, and Digital Manufacturing teams to build enterprise analytics capabilities and accelerate the organization's digital transformation strategy., * Lead the enterprise Manufacturing AI roadmap supporting predictive, prescriptive, and autonomous manufacturing. * Develop AI/ML solutions for predictive maintenance, process optimization, quality prediction, energy optimization, and throughput improvement. * Drive adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies including connected assets, IIoT, digital manufacturing platforms, and advanced analytics. * Identify high-value AI use cases and deliver measurable business value across multiple manufacturing sites. Digital Manufacturing Platforms * Develop solutions leveraging Microsoft Fabric, Azure AI, Azure Machine Learning, Azure Databricks, PI System, Insight, Vorne, MES platforms, ERP systems, and Industrial IoT data. * Integrate historian, machine, quality, maintenance, and operational data into scalable analytics solutions. * Establish enterprise standards for data governance, model lifecycle management, and reusable AI assets. People Leadership * Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Data Scientists and Analytics professionals. * Provide technical direction, code reviews, model reviews, and career development. * Build a high-performing analytics team and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. * Manage project prioritization, workload planning, and resource allocation. Business Leadership * Partner with leadership to define the Digital Manufacturing analytics roadmap. * Translate business strategy into AI and analytics initiatives aligned with Operational Excellence objectives. * Present recommendations and business cases to senior executives., * Improve OEE, reliability, quality, and cost through deployed AI solutions. * Establish standardized Manufacturing AI architecture and governance. * Develop a high-performing Data Science team. * Deliver measurable financial impact supporting the Digital Manufacturing strategy. ## Related Videos - [Empowering Retail Through Applied Machine Learning](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/976-empowering-retail-through-applied-machine-learning) - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [PySpark - Combining Machine Learning & Big Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/44-pyspark-combining-machine-learning-big-data) - [Beyond Dashboards: Fixing Text-to-SQL with Semantic RAG](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2036-beyond-dashboards-fixing-text-to-sql-with-semantic-rag) - [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail) - [Data Analytics with Microsoft Fabric: End-to-End Use Case with Data Agents](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1547-data-analytics-with-microsoft-fabric-end-to-end-use-case-with-data-agents) ## Related Articles - [MLOps – What’s the deal behind it?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/125-mlops-what-s-the-deal-behind-it) - [What Industries Outside of AI Are Hiring The Most AI Experts?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/98-what-industries-outside-of-ai-are-hiring-the-most-ai-experts) - [MLops – Deploying, Maintaining And Evolving Machine Learning Models in Production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/115-mlops-deploying-maintaining-and-evolving-machine-learning-models-in-production) - [MLOps And AI Driven Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/82-mlops-and-ai-driven-development) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers)