Principal Data Scientist (FTC)

Principal Data Scientist - London | Welwyn Garden City | Hybrid 

12 Month Maternity Cover

About us: Leading online retail into the future

Ocado Technology is powering the future of online retail across the globe through disruptive innovation and automation. Join us to create world-class systems at the intersection of robotics and IoT, cloud platforms, big data, machine learning, software development, and beyond.

We're constantly reinventing ourselves, learning fast, evolving our craftsmanship and taking risks as we strive to fulfil our mission to change the way the world shops.

We enable some of the world’s most forward-thinking retailers to do grocery online profitably, scalably and sustainably. Over the past two decades, we have developed a wide technology estate that includes robotics, AI and machine learning, simulation, forecasting and edge intelligence which all form part of our game changing ‘Ocado Smart Platform’ product.

We champion a value-led culture to get our teams working at their very best and to help create a collaborative working environment that our people love. Core values of Trust, Autonomy, Craftsmanship, Collaboration and Learn Fast help drive our innovative culture.

About the role:

Data Scientists within the Fulfilment department research, design and build models and algorithms to optimise decisions.  This covers areas across In-Store Fulfilment (where we continuously look for ways to further optimise manual order picking) and CFC (our highly automated fulfilment centres).  We are looking for a Senior Data Scientist to join our Fulfilment Data Science team who are based in Welwyn Garden City. This role will be a 12 month contract to cover one of our team members maternity leave. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate proficiency in data science (for predictions as well as optimisation) and be able to collaborate with other crafts such as Software Engineering, Product Management, Data Analytics and Data Engineering. The role and responsibilities of this role include:

• Understanding and defining the scope of problems
• Designing and prototyping algorithms
• Working with software engineers to get these algorithms into production
• Validating the performance of these algorithms in the real world and iterate to improve them if necessary
• Sharing knowledge and expertise with the wider group
• Encourage knowledge sharing initiatives and help build the data science community.

What we’re looking for: 

• A strong data science background including solid coding skills with Python
• Scikit learn, Pandas, Matplotlib, Numpy, Tensorflow, Keras
• Statistics (including statistical tests)
• Good knowledge of traditional Machine Learning techniques (Deep Learning and Reinforcement Learning a definite plus)
• Familiarity with Operational Research and optimisation techniques
• Knowledge of building Data Science solutions end to end, from discovery to production and maintenance
• Familiarity with simulation modelling and tools
• Good communication skills
• Skilled in collaboration both within and between teams/departments
• Experienced in Agile e.g. Kanban and Continuous Delivery
• Experienced in scoping out and setting technical direction on projects

Bonus points if you also have experience in some or all of the following areas (in no particular order)

• Experience in Operational Research and optimisation techniques (exact methods such as Linear Programming or Constraint Programming and heuristics such as Local Search or Genetic Algorithms)
• Experience with data analysis and visualisation tools such as Jupyter, pandas, matplotlib.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g. BigQuery, Spark, GCS, AWS, etc.).
• Experience using Kubernetes, Docker and Cloud computing platforms (GCP, AWS)

What do I get in return:

• Hybrid working (2 days in the office) 
• 30 days work from anywhere globally 
• Remote working for the month of August
• Wellbeing support through Apps such as Unmind and an Employee Assistance Programme
• 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after 5 years service (plus optional holiday purchase)
• Pension scheme (various options available including employer contribution matching up to 7%)
• Private Medical Insurance
• 22 weeks paid maternity leave and 6 weeks paid paternity leave (once relevant service requirements complete)
• Train Ticket loan (interest-free)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Opportunity to participate in Share save and Buy as You Earn share schemes
• 15% discount on Ocado.com and free delivery for all employees
• Income Protection(can be up to 50% of salary for 3 years) and Life Assurance(3 x annual salary)

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