Principal Data Scientist

Overview

In this role, you will steer Autotrader’s data science direction as a principal within cross-functional squads. You’ll shape ML-driven data products, mentor peers, and collaborate with engineers to deliver impactful solutions. The role focuses on scalable analytics, personalised recommendations, and performance improvements across buying and listing experiences. This is an opportunity to lead data science at scale, advancing a data-driven transformation and high-quality scientific outputs.

Pay / Benefits

• Salary 60,000–80,000
• Annual +10% shares over 3 years
• 28 days holiday
• Pension scheme (7% employer, 5% employee)
• Private medical cover
• Enhanced family leave provisions

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the Data Science agenda across squads
• Orchestrate data science projects and prioritise resources
• Mentor and support Data Analysts and Scientists
• Collaborate with software engineers to implement solutions
• Develop ML-centric data products and workflows
• Establish analytical standards, tools, and practices
• Contribute to the customer data platform and targeted marketing initiatives
• Lead cross-functional delivery with a focus on impact and governance

Key requirements

• Accountable leader of cross-functional teams
• Strategic thinking with focus on commercial impact of products
• Holistic ownership of project delivery across dependencies
• Rigourous scientific outputs with balance of practicality
• Dependable, humble, open to challenge ideas
• Proactive in identifying opportunities and building business cases for stakeholders
• Experience across a wide range of Data Science topics and methods
• Exemplary familiarity with Python, Spark, SQL and MLflow

• Leadership
• Strategic thinking
• Collaboration
• Python
• Spark
• SQL

…