Principal Data Scientist - Applied AI

TL;DR

Principal Data Scientist (Applied AI): Leading the development of AI-native capabilities for hirify.global's AI innovation unit and the broader Energy & Natural Resources consulting portfolio with an accent on cross-domain AI systems, knowledge-graph–powered analytics, and advanced forecasting models. Focus on shaping solutions to transform the way energy powers the planet and mentoring data scientists.

Location: Hybrid in Edinburgh, GB or London, GB. Expected to be present in the office at least two days per week. Flexible working is required to accommodate different time zones.

Company

hirify.global is the global leader in analytics, insights and proprietary data across the entire energy and natural resources landscape.

What you will do

• Lead the design and development of AI-native systems leveraging domain-specific ontologies, knowledge graphs, network models, and agentic reasoning frameworks.
• Provide technical oversight across multiple projects, ensuring modeling approaches align with high-value client workflows.
• Encode domain knowledge into machine-readable structures that enable causal reasoning across global energy systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to deploy scalable pipelines integrating data from various domains.
• Serve as the primary AI technical authority for consulting engagements, shaping proposal design, analytical methodologies, and delivery quality.
• Mentor senior and mid-level data scientists, establish modeling standards, and define best practices for reproducibility, evaluation, and model governance.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience delivering advanced machine learning, graph-based modeling, or AI systems in production.
• Expertise in ontology design, structural modeling, or knowledge graphs applied to complex, interconnected domains.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary analytical teams.
• Experience working on consulting or client-facing analytics projects with executive stakeholders.
• Proven ability to design modeling architectures that scale from prototype to product.
• Advanced proficiency in Python, ML frameworks, and cloud-native pipelines.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex models to both technical and commercial audiences.

Nice to have

• Strong understanding of energy systems, cross-commodity interactions, or large-scale optimisation and forecasting.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive culture that values teamwork and collaboration.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Flexible working arrangements to accommodate different time zones.
• Committed to equal opportunities and diversity.
• Customer-focused approach in decision-making.