Principal Data Scientist
National Grid is hiring a Principal Data Scientist. This role is designated as hybrid, with an expectation of one or two days per month in the Warwick, UK office. Requirements may vary based on business needs and company policy.
About the Role
The Principal Data Scientist is a senior leadership role responsible for defining and driving the technical delivery, governance, and capability standards for artificial intelligence and data science across NGET. Operating within NGET's Data Mesh model, the postholder provides authoritative technical guidance to distributed product and data teams – acting as a centre of expertise rather than a centralised delivery engine.
NGET is at a pivotal moment: moving from AI pilots and proof‑of‑concepts to production‑scale AI solutions, with the Data & AI Academy building internal capability, the Data Fabric providing governed data products for model training, and Ofgem increasingly scrutinising how AI is developed and governed within regulated utilities. This role is the technical anchor for that ambition.
What You'll Do
- Act as the senior thought leader, communicator, mentor, and advocate for Data Architecture and the Data Architecture practice within NGET.
- Translate NGET's data and digital strategy into deployed, production‑grade AI and data science solutions, with measurable business value.
- Embed advanced analytics and AI into NGET's operational decision‑making – with a particular focus on predictive asset health, network planning, renewable energy forecasting, construction optimisation, and digital twin data science.
- Ensure AI developed and deployed within NGET is trustworthy, transparent, ethical, and compliant with NGET's Responsible AI policy and Ofgem's evolving data governance expectations.
- Provide technical guidance and assurance to federated data product teams, acting as a community of practice lead for AI and data science across the mesh.
- Accelerate NGET's transition from AI experimentation to AI at scale – embedding MLOps, model governance, and AI quality assurance practices.
- Help in the development and create a sustainable, in‑house data science capability within the federated model, working with Group CDO and third‑party partners where appropriate.
About You
- An interest in the built environment and infrastructure.
- Demonstrable experience in data science and machine learning – including model development, training, evaluation, deployment, and monitoring in a production environment.
- Proficiency in Python (and/or R), ML frameworks (scikit‑learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch), and cloud‑based ML platforms (Azure ML, Databricks, or equivalent).
- Experience of MLOps practices – model registries, CI/CD for ML, feature stores, drift detection, and retraining.
- Understanding of AI ethics, responsible AI frameworks, and explainability techniques (SHAP, LIME, model cards).
- Experience working in a federated or matrixed organisation – able to influence technical practice across teams without direct authority.
- Ability to translate complex data science concepts for business, executive, and regulatory audiences.
- Familiarity with UK AI governance frameworks and Ofgem's expectations for regulated utilities using AI.
- Experience of working with governed, structured data products (data mesh, data fabric, or equivalent) rather than ad hoc data access.
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive Salary: circa £70,000 – £87,000 per annum (dependent on location, capability, and experience).
- Flexible benefits such as a cycle scheme, share incentive plan, technology schemes.
- Ongoing career development and support to help you cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, course fees, books, examination fees and time off for study leave – so long as it is relevant to your role.
- Access to apps such as digital GP service for round‑the‑clock access to GP video consultations and NHS repeat prescriptions, wellbeing app to support your health and fitness.
- Access to Work + Family Space, providing support and resources for work and family life, including paid emergency childcare and eldercare.
Equal Opportunity Statement
We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates – we make appointments purely on merit, assessed against objective selection criteria. We support flexible working and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process should you have any physical or mental impairment which may affect your ability to participate in the process.
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