36 Data Science jobs in South Africa

Calling all AI explorers! Join a cutting-edge lab where your GenAI models shape the future.

From LLMs to data pipelines, you’ll help build intelligence that evolves .

A leading tech-driven organisation is seeking a Generative AI/Data Science specialist to join their innovation lab. This role involves deep AI model development and strong data engineering fundamentals. You’ll focus on building and refining LLM-powered solutions , emphasizing RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) frameworks using tools like LangChain and LlamaIndex .

You will partner with data engineers to ensure clean, scalable data pipelines , work on ETL processes and dimensional models, and deploy AI models into live environments with performance and scalability in mind. Additionally, you’ll experiment with new GenAI techniques, support MLOps efforts, and communicate findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills & Experience:

• 3+ years’ experience in AI/ML, with at least 1–2 years specifically in Generative AI
• Proficiency with Python , SQL , and libraries like Pandas and NumPy
• Practical experience with LangChain , LlamaIndex , or other LLM ecosystems
• Strong background in ETL , data engineering , and dimensional modelling
• Experience working across cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Familiarity with Docker , Kubernetes , and model deployment best practices
• Exposure to vector databases , Spark , or Hadoop is advantageous
• Confident communicator who can translate complex AI concepts into actionable insights

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Data Science, Machine Learning, or related fields
• Preferred certifications (not required but advantageous):
• AWS Certified Machine Learning / AI Practitioner
• GCP Professional ML Engineer / Associate Cloud Engineer
• Microsoft Azure AI Engineer / Data Scientist

If you’re ready to join a team where innovation thrives and your AI models will thrive , get in touch for a confidential chat.

Because in this world, it’s not about surviving the data jungle—it’s about engineering the future of intelligence .

Contact Kauthar Marcus at or , quoting the Ref: CTI005560 .

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Western Cape, Cape Town

Hourly Basic Salary (Market related, Negotiable)

An opportunity exists for a Data Science Specialist to join our Client, a leading South African establishment with an international footprint. This is a contract role and is based in Cape Town (hybrid working environment).

The ideal candidates will bring strong experience in data modelling, advanced analytics, and business intelligence reporting, with a particular focus on Power BI , MS Databricks , and SQL .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain executive-level dashboards and reports using Power BI
• Leverage Databricks for data processing, analysis, and insight generation
• Extract, transform, and manage large datasets using SQL
• Translate complex data into actionable insights for leadership teams across South Africa and the broader African region
  
  

• Proven experience working in enterprise-scale environments
• Strong business acumen with a focus on decision-support analytics
• Ability to communicate insights clearly to C-level stakeholders
  
  

Beauparc Mogalakwena, Limpopo, South Africa

Join to apply for the Data Science Lead role at Beauparc

Beauparc Mogalakwena, Limpopo, South Africa

Join to apply for the Data Science Lead role at Beauparc

• Manage the delivery of data science solutions from inception, through Proof of Concept and into production, using a range of tools and methods.
• Data Analysis: Collect and analyze data from various sources, including internal systems, third-party tools, and market research.
• Dashboard Implementation and Creation: Oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of dynamic dashboards to visualize key metrics, enabling stakeholders to monitor performance and make data-driven decisions.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Define KPIs and develop reports to monitor and measure performance based on these indicators.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Work alongside IT teams to ensure that data infrastructure, systems, and tools are optimized for efficient collection, storage, and analysis.
• Data Structure and Sources: Play a crucial role in deciding the data structure and determining the most relevant and reliable data sources for business analysis. Ensure data integrity and consistency across all platforms.
• Data Visualization: Create compelling presentations that convey analytical insights and actionable recommendations to senior management and stakeholders.
• Data-Driven Decision Culture: Foster an organizational culture that values and utilizes data-driven decision-making, promoting continuous improvement and innovation.
• Make business recommendations based on the data that drives better business decisions.
  
  

• Manage the delivery of data science solutions from inception, through Proof of Concept and into production, using a range of tools and methods.
• Data Analysis: Collect and analyze data from various sources, including internal systems, third-party tools, and market research.
• Dashboard Implementation and Creation: Oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of dynamic dashboards to visualize key metrics, enabling stakeholders to monitor performance and make data-driven decisions.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Define KPIs and develop reports to monitor and measure performance based on these indicators.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Work alongside IT teams to ensure that data infrastructure, systems, and tools are optimized for efficient collection, storage, and analysis.
• Data Structure and Sources: Play a crucial role in deciding the data structure and determining the most relevant and reliable data sources for business analysis. Ensure data integrity and consistency across all platforms.
• Data Visualization: Create compelling presentations that convey analytical insights and actionable recommendations to senior management and stakeholders.
• Data-Driven Decision Culture: Foster an organizational culture that values and utilizes data-driven decision-making, promoting continuous improvement and innovation.
• Make business recommendations based on the data that drives better business decisions.
  
  

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Experience: Over 3 years of experience in data analytics
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools such as SQL, Excel, Tableau, Power BI, or similar. A focus on Power BI experience.
• Dashboard Creation Expertise: Extensive experience in designing and implementing effective dashboards that provide real-time insights and enable the business to track performance and make informed decisions.
• Additional Knowledge: Experience in strategic planning using quantitative techniques, managing large data volumes, and advanced statistical techniques.
• Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
• Experience using Data Science algorithms and methods to solve business problems using R or Python
• Excellent capability in SQL to extract data from databases
  
  

• Seniority level Mid-Senior level

• Employment type Full-time

• Job function Engineering and Information Technology
• Industries Utilities

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• Develop and maintain executive-level dashboards and reports using Power BI
• Leverage Databricks for data processing, analysis, and insight generation
• Extract, transform, and manage large datasets using SQL
• Translate complex data into actionable insights for leadership teams across South Africa and the broader African region

• Proven experience working in enterprise-scale environments
• Strong business acumen with a focus on decision-support analytics
• Ability to communicate insights clearly to C-level stakeholders

• Data Science for Society – building tools, systems, and insights to support evidence-based decision-making in the public interest.
• Local Language Natural Language Processing (NLP) – advancing African language technologies through inclusive, culturally grounded approaches.
  
  

• Fellowships
• Research and teaching assistantships
• Project-based funding
  
  

• Apply between 15 May and 15 July 2025
• Decisions by end of August
• Start date: January/February 2026
  
  

• For MSc and PhD: You must first apply to DSFSI, go through an internal selection process, and then (if successful) apply to the University of Pretoria with our support.
• For Honours and MIT students: You can apply to those programs directly and then also apply to join DSFSI as your research group.
  
  

Join to apply for the Head of Data Science role at Di O Rara Personnel

2 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Head of Data Science role at Di O Rara Personnel

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Advanced Data Science role in an intelligence solutions company. Our client provides services and technologies to help organizations collect, analyze, and utilize data to gain insights and make better decisions. They are looking to hire an experienced candidate who will play an important role in shaping the future of their data science and AI strategy. The successful candidate’s work will be the cornerstone of innovation, transforming complex data into actionable insights that drive significant business impact for clients across various industries. This is more than just a leadership position; it’s an opportunity to pioneer the next generation of predictive and prescriptive analytics solutions.

Requirements

Qualifications: BCom/BSc Honors/MCom/MSc/PhD Statistics, Mathematics or computer science (must have proven machine learning building experience)

Experience: 10 years or more relevant analytical experience with at least 3 in ML/AI

Technical Skills

• Data Analysis: Exceptional ability to work with, analyse, interpret, and develop insights products on data.
• Machine Learning: Strong understanding and practical application of statistical concepts and machine learning techniques.
• Technical Proficiency: Expertise in Python, R & SQL required with experience in TensorFlow, Hugging Face, FastHTML, FastAPI, Flask and Django advantageous.
• Familiarity with Docker containers and predictive model deployment in Microsoft Azure or similar.
• Working with virtualised applications and programming environments.
• Adaptability: Ability to adjust to different programming environments based on the project needs.
• Professional approach to report writing, documentation and other written communications.
• Familiarity with Agile concepts and their application in a Data Science environment.
  
  

• Seniority level Director

• Employment type Full-time

• Job function Engineering and Information Technology
• Industries Human Resources Services

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Get notified about new Head of Data Science jobs in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa .

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• Collaborate closely with the data science manager to establish and execute the team's technical vision, strategy, and goals.
• Provide effective leadership to the data science team, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment that encourages creativity and growth.
• Guide and mentor team members, promoting their professional development and enhancing their skills in AI, data science, machine learning, and related technologies.
• Effectively manage and allocate resources, ensuring efficient project execution, and alignment with business goals.
• Continuously align delivery to the company and Development & Engineering team strategy and planning.

Delivery of AI and Data Science Solutions

• Lead and contribute to the end-to-end development of AI solutions using data science and machine learning, ensuring they address real-world challenges in telemetry, IoT, and Engineering domains, as determined by business.
• Ensure delivery of solutions on time, in budget, with the desired functionality, at the defined quality level in a sustainable way.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to gather requirements, design solutions, and integrate insights into operational processes.
• In collaboration with field experts, coordinate the design and implementation of generative models, contributing to enhanced vehicle tracking, recovery operations, and operational efficiency.

Best Practice Quality and Testing

• Uphold the highest standards of quality in AI and Data Science solutions by implementing best practices in data preparation, model development, validation, data quality, etc.
• Oversee rigorous testing methodologies to validate the accuracy, reliability, and effectiveness of developed models, ensuring they meet business requirements.

System Maintenance and Support

• Take responsibility for the ongoing maintenance and optimization of AI/DS products, services, models, and solutions, ensuring they remain effective and aligned with changing business needs.
• Collaborate with the IT and other engineering teams to address any technical issues, ensure system stability, and provide timely support when required.

Knowledge Transfer

• Foster a culture of knowledge sharing within the team by promoting the exchange of expertise, insights, and lessons learned from past projects.
• Facilitate the documentation of project details, methodologies, and best practices, ensuring seamless knowledge transfer among team members.
• Mentor and coach junior data science members.

Engineering Processes and Environment

• Drive the integration of AI solutions into the overall engineering environment, leveraging tools and processes that align with industry best practices.
• Collaborate with engineers, data engineers, and IT specialists to ensure the scalability, reliability, and security of AI solutions in a production environment.
• Strive to enhance engineering processes and practices by contributing insights from AI projects to improve the overall operational efficiency of the organization.
• Effective use of AI and Data Science development toolsets.
• Follow department development standards as adapted to Data Science.

Education:

• BSc (Comp Sci) or BEng or higher qualification of relevance.
• Other STEM degrees from established Universities might be considered given relevant minimum experience.
• Additional leadership development is an advantage.

Working Experience: Minimum 4 years hands-on experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in AI, data science, and machine learning.
• At least 1 year in a team lead or managerial role, and 2 years in a senior data scientist role.
• Established hands-on experience with Python, DataBricks, PySpark, Azure, SQL, PowerBI, and GIS.
• Success in leading AI/Data Science solutions using data science and machine learning in telemetry, IoT, Software Development, or Engineering contexts.
• Familiarity with Linux and proficiency in additional programming languages like Java or C#.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate business needs into data-driven solutions.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and guide a team toward achieving common goals.
• Effective communication and collaboration abilities to work closely with cross-functional teams.
• Detail-oriented mindset with a commitment to delivering high-quality, actionable insights.
• Experience in the Telematics or automotive industry is a plus.

Technologies Experience:

• Project Management: Agile frameworks like Scrum or Kanban (essential), Project management tools.
• Programming: Python (essential), Java or C# (optional).
• AI: AIOps, Generative models such as LLMs (highly desirable), GANs, VAEs, LangChain, etc.
• Big Data: MS Azure (essential), Apache Hadoop, Delta Lake format, Parquet, and Spark.
• Visualization: PowerBI, Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly.
• Version Control: Git (essential), GitHub, GitLab, or related.
• Geospatial: GIS software, GeoPandas.
• Deployment: Docker and Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines.
• Testing: Unit and integration testing frameworks, Model performance monitoring and logging tools.
• Documentation: MS Office, Wiki platforms (for team documentation).
• Maths: Statistical techniques and hypothesis testing, University level mathematics.

Please submit your CV through PNET if you are interested in applying for this position and one of our consultants will be in contact with you. Should you not receive correspondence from us within two weeks of your application submission, consider your application unsuccessful.

We Go Places! How about you?

Immediate Superior: AME Analyticfs Hub Lead
Location: Johannesburg
Function: Digital & Technology
Sub Function: Digital & Technology - Other Support
Type of Contract: Permanent
Reference Number: 142065
Closing Date: 15/08/2025

The Africa & Middle East (AME) Analytics Hub is a business-led, value-driven satellite of HEINEKEN’s Global Analytics team. Our mission is to help HEINEKEN become the most connected and data-driven brewer in the world.

As part of our continued growth, we are expanding our capabilities and looking for a Data Science Chapter Lead to shape and drive the data science vision for the region. This is a high-impact leadership role where you’ll help define the future of data science across the AME region and contribute to HEINEKEN’s global transformation.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• People-first : You lead with empathy, foster inclusive collaboration, and support the growth of diverse teams.
• Solution-oriented : You bring a pragmatic mindset and a high-degree of ownership and passion for solving real-world business challenges.
• Collaborative by nature : You thrive in cross-functional environments and enjoy working across domains and cultures.
• Strategic and hands-on : You can set a vision, build roadmaps, and also dive into the details when needed.

At HEINEKEN, we believe in creating an environment where people enjoy both the challenges they tackle and the colleagues they work with. We value curiosity, creativity, and reliability. We aim to be a trusted business partner, using data to drive meaningful decisions and build confidence in our solutions.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and deliver end-to-end data science solutions that create measurable business value.
• Collaborate across levels and functions —from country teams to regional and global stakeholders in commercial, supply chain, and analytics—to identify pain points, frame problems, and co-create data-driven solutions.
• Champion implementation through effective change management, ensuring adoption and long-term impact.
• Promote engineering excellence by embedding best practices such as CI/CD, modular design, and rigorous testing.
• Design and interpret experiments , including A/B tests and observational studies, translating insights into scalable machine learning solutions.
• Mentor and coach data scientists, fostering a culture of inclusion, psychological safety, and agile ways of working.

You are:

• Aseasoned data science leader with expertise in ML engineering, experimentation, and causal inference.
• Astrategic thinker who translates business priorities into actionable roadmaps across AME.
• Ahands-on engineer , fluent in Python, PySpark, and SQL, with experience in modular ML pipelines (e.g., Databricks).
• Aclear communicator , able to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Comfortable withambiguity and scale , navigating complex data and shifting priorities.
• Passionate about talent , investing in coaching and team growth.
• Bonus : Experience in FMCG, economics/econometrics, and Databricks production deployments.

What we have to offer:

• Global opportunities : Work on diverse projects with career paths across countries and regions.
• Continuous learning : Dedicated time for development through workshops, community sessions, and certifications (Microsoft, Databricks).
• A passionate team : Entrepreneurial, driven, and fun—inside and outside of work.
• Hybrid flexibility : Team members are based in Johannesburg, Cape Town
• Meaningful impact : Tackle real challenges and see the results of your work.
• Competitive rewards : Including salary, retirement benefits, and great social events.

We’re a fun, value-driven team with ambitious goals. This role is strategic, challenging, and offers the chance to make a real difference. If it sounds like a fit, we’d love to hear from you. Best of luck—and we hope you apply!

The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply. Heineken Beverages (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd) is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates and values inclusion and diversity. You must be fully eligible to live and work in South Africa to apply.