Principal Data Scientist

Location/s: Madrid, ES
Recruiter contact: Maria Marchidan

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit
Mott MacDonald’s support services are the driving force behind our organisation enabling us to run efficiently and effectively. The team works collaboratively to offer specialist advice, best practice and technology to all areas of our business specifically designed for our global reach.

Overview of the role

We are looking for a Principal Data Scientist to help shape the design, development and delivery of production-grade AI, machine learning and data science solutions across Mott MacDonald. The role will focus on turning complex business, engineering and environmental needs into scalable, reliable data products and AI services.

The successful candidate will bring technical experience across generative AI, large language models, retrieval augmented generation, machine learning, computer vision, geospatial data science and MLOps. They will work with multidisciplinary teams to identify valuable use cases, shape solution architecture, develop reliable models and ensure solutions are tested, monitored and improved in live use.

The role includes end-to-end AI and data science delivery; setting standards for model development, evaluation and deployment; building reusable internal AI services; coaching data scientists and engineers; contributing to AI governance; and translating technical opportunities into clear business value for project teams and senior stakeholders.

Candidate specification

Essential:

• Experience delivering production data science, machine learning or AI in an enterprise environment
• Practical experience in Python and modern machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow or Keras
• Practical experience with generative AI, large language models, embedding models, retrieval augmented generation, AI agents, model evaluation and fine-tuning techniques
• Experience designing and operating end-to-end MLOps workflows, including model training, deployment, monitoring, automation and continuous improvement
• Ability to work across cloud and engineering environments, including tools such as Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, MLflow, GitHub Actions, Terraform or Databricks
• Clear communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts in accessible business language
• Experience coaching, mentoring or giving technical guidance to data scientists, machine learning engineers or data professionals

Desirable:

• Experience applying computer vision, geospatial data science or predictive modelling to engineering, infrastructure, environmental or asset management work
• Knowledge of tools and methods such as LangChain, LLM orchestration, agentic tool use, segmentation foundation models, zero/few-shot visual understanding
• Experience developing reusable internal AI platforms, foundation-model services or automation capabilities for use by wider teams
• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent research experience in data science, engineering, computer science, applied mathematics or a related discipline
• Evidence of innovation, publication, award recognition or contribution to data science practice

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

#LI-MM2

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• Competitive annual leave
• Pension scheme
• Life insurance
• An annual professional institution subscription
• Private medical insurance
• Optional benefits via salary sacrifice (restaurant voucher/transport card/day care voucher)
• Continuous development opportunities – because we want you to thrive
• Agile/flexible working – because life isn’t 9-5
• Annual bonus scheme
• Wellbeing support including access to an independent Employer Assistance Scheme, wellbeing champions and access to learning and support resources
• Access to our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability and parents/carers communities
• The opportunity to make a difference; learn more about our social outcomes

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.