Lead Data Scientist

WaveAccess is looking for a Lead Data Scientist who will lead the development of client needs, participate in presales, shape the solution vision, propose approaches, and validate ideas through prototypes and pilots. Strong ML and Python skills are required, but the primary focus is on shaping the solution and working closely with clients during the presales and discovery stages, not just on implementation.

Responsibilities:

• Actively participate in presales: communicate with clients, clarify business goals, identify pain points, explore possible approaches, and outline feasible data-driven solutions.
• Propose and justify solution strategy, assessing which ML methods, data flows, and technologies best fit the client's tasks.
• Quickly assemble prototypes, MVPs, and pilots to demonstrate feasibility and value.
• Set the technical direction for projects: help teams understand the overall approach and ensure alignment with client expectations.
• Work with heterogeneous data sources to design solutions and test hypotheses through exploratory data analysis (EDA).
• Formulate hypotheses, select appropriate ML approaches, and evaluate them effectively.
• Clearly present findings, logic, and recommended direction to clients and internal teams.
• Support early opportunity assessment: help evaluate feasibility, risks, and scope of work during presales and project initiation.
• Collaborate with sales, account, and delivery management teams when preparing solution proposals and in discussions with clients before project start.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of commercial experience in data science or ML engineering.
• Work according to the American calendar, shifted schedule 12:00–21:00 (Moscow time).
• Ability to design the overall approach to solving a business problem before diving into implementation.
• Confident Python skills and familiarity with standard ML tooling — sufficient to create quality prototypes and guide development.
• Deep understanding of ML concepts, trade-offs, and practical application.
• Experience in at least one of the areas: recommendation systems, time series, NLP.
• Experience with LLM-based solutions, including RAG and agent systems.
• Experience communicating with clients, presenting results, and explaining solution logic.
• Practical experience in presales, discovery, or solution consulting: client meetings, clarifying requirements, proposing approaches, defining project scope.
• Ability to translate ambiguous business requests into structured technical solution options at early stages and during presales.

Technical Skills:

• Python
• Standard ML stack
• Understanding of one or more domain ecosystems
• Basic SQL knowledge
• Git (basics of collaboration)

Will be a plus:

• Experience with advanced ML/AI development tools.
• Visualization skills for conveying insights and solution ideas.
• Understanding of modern deployment practices (e.g., Docker) at the solution architecture vision level.
• Experience working in Agile teams.
• Experience working with clients from the USA/Europe.
• Participation in commercial proposals, presales workshops, technical discovery sessions, or pilot planning — a big plus.
• Experience in a client lead or consulting role — highly desirable.

We offer:

• Work in a dynamic international team
• Formal employment, 100% paid sick leave and vacation
• Possibility of cooperation as an individual entrepreneur or self-employed person
• Necessary work equipment
• Corporate training programs
• Broad opportunities for self-realization, professional and career growth
• Democratic approach to processes and flexible start of the working day