Principal Data Scientist (AI

Successful candidates may be based in any of our office locations - Cardiff, Glasgow, or London. We especially welcome applicants from Cardiff and Glasgow. (20% hybrid, 1 day per week)

Job summary

Ofgem plays a vital role in ensuring that households and businesses across Great Britain can rely on safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable energy. As the energy system becomes more complex and the transition to Net Zero accelerates, we need stronger analytical capability, better tools and responsible use of AI to help us regulate effectively. Within Digital, Data and Security Services (DDSS), we are building the platforms, methods and ways of working needed to support that.

As Principal Data Scientist (AI), you will play a key role in advancing Ofgem’s data science capability and shaping how AI is applied across the organisation. You will lead the development of advanced analytical products and AI models, working across teams to identify opportunities where data science can deliver real value. This is a highly collaborative role, combining deep technical expertise with stakeholder engagement, innovation and leadership.

This role is for someone who wants to apply data science and AI to complex regulatory problems that matter. You will work on questions about energy markets, consumers, risk and regulation, helping Ofgem use evidence more effectively, identify emerging issues earlier and make better-informed decisions.

You will work with colleagues across Ofgem to embed data science into business processes, support better decision-making and improve organisational effectiveness, while helping others build confidence in responsible and practical use of AI.

The role involves a mix of hands‑on technical leadership, product thinking, stakeholder engagement and capability‑building.

You will be responsible for:

• Identifying and shaping opportunities where AI, machine learning and data science can deliver value across Ofgem, working closely with stakeholders and leaders
• Designing, developing and deploying advanced analytical products and AI models using Ofgem’s core technology stack, including Azure, Fabric and Azure Machine Learning
• Translating complex data into clear, compelling insights, communicating effectively with both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Collaborating with data engineers and other specialists to ensure data is sourced, prepared and deployed effectively within production environments
• Leading and contributing to high‑value data science projects, with a particular focus on innovation and practical application of AI
• Providing technical leadership in data science and AI, setting standards, sharing best practice and supporting the development of colleagues
• Driving continuous improvement in tools, techniques and ways of working, ensuring data science capability continues to evolve
• Engaging with internal and external data and AI communities, staying at the forefront of emerging trends and practices
• We are looking for a technically strong and curious data science leader with extensive experience in AI, machine learning and advanced analytics. You will bring a track record of designing and delivering useful data science solutions, strong programming capability, and the judgement to know when AI is the right answer, when it is not, and what is needed to make analytical work trusted and usable.

You will be a strong collaborator and communicator, able to build relationships across multidisciplinary teams and translate complex technical concepts into meaningful insights. Your approach will combine innovation with pragmatism, ensuring that data science solutions are scalable, maintainable and aligned to organisational needs.

Experience with in government or the wider public sector would be beneficial, but is not essential. What matters most is your ability to apply data science and AI to real‑world challenges, influence stakeholders and contribute to building a high‑performing, forward‑looking data capability.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping how Ofgem uses data and AI to deliver better outcomes, at a time when its mission has never been more important.

Person specification

• Extensive…