Data Science & AI Specialist

Job Description

Recruiter: Daniel McCarthy

Career Grade: D

Internal Closing Date: 26/01/26

Why this job matters

We are looking for a Data Science & AI Specialist to obtain value from the full range of all BT data sets using advanced DS and AI models. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, building, deploying, and operationalizing artificial intelligence and machine learning models within the AWS ecosystem. This role combines strong software engineering practices with data science knowledge, leveraging SageMaker's full suite of tools to manage the entire ML lifecycle.

What you’ll be doing

• Leads the extraction and analysis of Mobile data through the application of Machine learning & AI techniques to generate insight from data to support decision-making across the business or to embed in new products and services.
• Drives model development, including data exploration, training data, feature extraction, validation and scoring.
• Drives the development of insightful visualisations to make sophisticated analyses accessible to a broad audience.
• Drives initiatives related to fairness, ethics, interpretability, safety, robustness, and privacy in the context of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Leverage Amazon SageMaker's capabilities, such as SageMaker Studio, Pipelines, and Endpoints, to streamline the process of building, training, evaluating, and deploying models at scale.
• Implement and maintain robust Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) practices, including CI/CD pipelines, model versioning, monitoring for drift and performance, and automated retraining processes.
• Collaborate on data acquisition, preprocessing, feature engineering, and data analysis to prepare large datasets for model training.
• Leads the identification of opportunities and implementation of Sagemaker machine learning techniques to derive business insights.
• Drives machine learning model development, including data exploration, training data, feature extraction, validation and scoring..
• Contributes towards the development of machine learning guidelines, policies, and architecture which supports scalable machine learning pipelines.
• Drives new data set sourcing, transformation and preparation new data sets from across the BT group’s platforms to build foundational data models for data science, analytics and machine learning.

The skills you'll need

• 2-3 years+ of proven success at applying Data Science approaches or developing and shaping AI algorithms and models. (Mandatory)
• Cloud Platforms - Experience with AWS cloud services for scalable AI & data solutions. (Mandatory)
• Experience in programming languages such as Python/Java and strong knowledge of AI/ML libraries. (Mandatory)
• Solid understanding of software architecture, data modeling, and various data structures.
• Knowledge of data governance practices to ensure data quality, security, and compliance.
• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of ethical considerations related to artificial intelligence and possesses the capability to develop and implement fair and responsible AI solutions.
• Research skills to stay up-to-date with the latest AI trends and continue to learn new techniques.
• Excellent communication – the ability to listen and to share ideas clearly to a range of audiences.
• Experience in leading, managing and/or coaching others – particularly those in technical roles, whether as a line manager or not.

Our leadership standards

Looking in:
Leading inclusively and Safely
I inspire and build trust through self-awareness, honesty and integrity.
Owning outcomes
I take the right decisions that benefit the broader organisation.

Looking out:
Delivering for the customer
I execute brilliantly on clear priorities that add value to our customers and the wider business.
Commercially savvy
I demonstrate strong commercial focus, bringing an external perspective to decision-making.

Looking to the future:
Growth mindset
I experiment and identify opportunities for growth for both myself and the organisation.
Building for the future
I build diverse future-ready teams where all individuals can be at their best.

About us

BT Group was the world’s first telco and our heritage in the sector is unrivalled. As home to several of the UK’s most recognised and cherished brands – BT, EE, Openreach and Plusnet, we have always played a critical role in creating the future, and we have reached an inflection point in the transformation of our business.

Over the next two years, we will complete the UK’s largest and most successful digital infrastructure project – connecting more than 25 million premises to full fibre broadband. Together with our heavy investment in 5G, we play a central role in revolutionising how people connect with each other.

While we are through the most capital-intensive phase of our fibre investment, meaning we can reward our shareholders for their commitment and patience, we are absolutely focused on how we organise ourselves in the best way to serve our customers in the years to come. This includes radical simplification of systems, structures, and processes on a huge scale. Together with our application of AI and technology, we are on a path to creating the UK’s best telco, reimagining the customer experience and relationship with one of this country’s biggest infrastructure companies.

Change on the scale we will all experience in the coming years is unprecedented. BT Group is committed to being the driving force behind improving connectivity for millions and there has never been a more exciting time to join a company and leadership team with the skills, experience, creativity, and passion to take this company into a new era.

A FEW POINTS TO NOTE:

Although these roles are listed as full-time, if you’re a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch.

We will also offer reasonable adjustments for the selection process if required, so please do not hesitate to inform us.

DON'T MEET EVERY SINGLE REQUIREMENT?

Studies have shown that women and people who are disabled, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and criteria. We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can be their best, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement on the Job Description, please apply anyway - you may just be the right candidate for this or other roles in our wider team.

BENEFITS:

• Annual On target bonus 10% (personal and company multipliers)
• BT Pension scheme; minimum 5% employee contribution, BT contribution 10%
• Life Assurance
• Direct share scheme
• Exclusive colleague discounts on our latest and greatest BT broadband packages
• 50% off EE mobile pay monthly or SIM only plans and 50% discount for friends and family on EE SIM only plans
• My Discounts gives colleagues access to unbeatable savings on everyday purchases at hundreds of retailers
• Discounted EE TV including TNT Sport and the NOW Entertainment membership
• Great support for working parents including pay whilst on maternity, adoptive, and paternity leave
• Option to join the Healthcare Cash Plan or other benefits such as dental insurance, gym memberships etc.
• 25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service with buy holiday option
• Volunteering days so you can give back to your local community
• Brand new electric vehicle salary sacrifice arrangement, known as ‘My EV’