Data Scientist

About The Company British Airways is the United Kingdom's flagship airline, renowned for its commitment to connecting Britain with the world and bringing the world to Britain. With a history spanning over a century, British Airways pioneered the world's first international scheduled air service between London and Paris. Our legacy is built on innovation, excellence, and a passion for delivering exceptional travel experiences. We take pride in our diverse team of professionals who embody our spirit of originality and ambition. At British Airways, we believe that great things happen when inspired individuals think big and bring their full potential to work every day. Our mission is to continuously push boundaries, embrace new challenges, and ensure our passengers receive the highest standards of service and safety. We foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and impact, empowering our employees to make a difference in the aviation industry and beyond. About The Role We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Data Scientist to join our Data & AI team. This senior leadership position reports directly to the Head of Data Delivery and is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end lifecycle of high-value data science products that support critical business decisions and operational efficiencies. The successful candidate will operate within Agile cross-functional squads, leading teams to design, develop, deploy, and maintain scalable, production-ready solutions such as predictive models, optimization engines, and decision-support tools. These solutions are integral to enhancing our business processes, improving customer experience, and driving strategic initiatives. As a Principal Data Scientist, you will ensure all models and solutions comply with ethical standards and industry best practices while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. Additionally, you will coach and line-manage team members, helping them reach their full potential and encouraging a collaborative environment that drives impactful results. Qualifications Candidates should possess a numerate degree or equivalent with significant components in data science or related fields. Proven experience in leading data science teams and applying advanced analytics to solve complex business problems is essential. Experience in developing and industrializing machine learning or data science software products is required, with a preference for candidates familiar with the transportation, airlines, or operations domains. Strong technical expertise in machine learning, natural language processing, data wrangling, and statistical modeling is necessary. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in programming languages such as Python and SQL, cloud computing platforms, and version control systems like Git. Excellent communication skills are vital for translating technical concepts into actionable insights for diverse audiences. The ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and operate independently within an agile environment is also critical. Responsibilities The Principal Data Scientist will be responsible for managing and coaching data science teams to deliver a portfolio of high-impact products from ideation through to deployment. This includes scoping ambiguous client needs, designing tailored data science solutions aligned with business goals, and ensuring the timely and quality delivery of these products. They will acquire, process, and manipulate large, complex datasets to provide high-quality inputs for models and analytics. Developing various data science products such as predictive models, recommender systems, anomaly detection, and optimization tools will be a core part of the role. The candidate will work closely with Digital teams to productionize models and develop user interfaces for machine learning applications. They will translate model outputs into clear, actionable recommendations and advise stakeholders on how these insights can enhance business outcomes. Oversight of existing data science solutions, ensuring their continued value, feasibility, and usability, will also be expected. Monitoring industry trends, maintaining compliance with ethical standards, and promoting best practices within the team are key responsibilities. The role involves active participation in feature prioritization, roadmap planning, and contributing to the development of ways of working that support agile delivery. The Principal Data Scientist will also lead the adoption of software engineering principles, including version control, code reviews, and documentation, to ensure high-quality, maintainable solutions. Benefits At British Airways, we value our employees and strive to provide a rewarding work environment. Our benefits extend beyond competitive salaries to include comprehensive travel perks, such as unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. Employees also enjoy discounted 'Hotline' airfares for themselves and their loved ones. We prioritize personal and professional growth, encouraging our team members to explore new opportunities within the organization and develop their careers. Our inclusive culture promotes diversity and innovation, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. We are committed to supporting work-life balance, offering flexible working arrangements and ongoing development programs to help employees reach their full potential. Equal Opportunity