Data Scientist

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly capable Data Scientist to drive digital transformation initiatives that enhance asset performance monitoring (APM), automation, and process optimization across water and wastewater systems. This role provides exciting opportunities to upgrade and transform the digital ecosystem by adopting IoT frameworks, edge and fog computing, cloud platforms, digital twins, and centralized asset management tools.

The candidate will lead the development of predictive, prescriptive, and optimization models that improve treatment efficiency, reduce energy consumption, enhance manpower productivity, and minimize waste generation. The role requires a data-driven problem solver with strong expertise in AI/ML, statistical modelling, process data interpretation, and digital system integration.

Working closely with the Digital Lead and cross-functional domain experts, the Data Scientist will develop scalable digital solutions, support the creation of intelligent dashboards, establish digital architectures for remote monitoring and control, and enable full-scale deployment of digital-twin-based advisory systems. The position offers a unique opportunity to influence the future of digitally enabled water management from WTC’s central command centre in Kanchipuram.

Key Responsibilities

• AI/ML & Advanced Analytics

• Develop AI/ML models for water quality prediction, anomaly detection, failure diagnostics, and process optimization.
• Clean, structure, analyze, and visualize plant, laboratory, and field datasets for actionable insights.
• Implement regression, classification, clustering, and time-series forecasting techniques for operational improvement.

• Digital Infrastructure & Automation Integration

• Work under the direction of Digital Lead on business-critical, time-bound digital transformation projects.
• Develop scalable digital architectures enabling total plant automation, performance optimization, and significant shifts in asset entitlement.
• Manage the design and development of the central command centre and build sustainable data pipelines for high-volume data streaming from multiple projects.
• Lead development, piloting, and scaling of digital twin frameworks; extend capabilities to operator advisory and supervisory decision systems.

• Systems Integration & Cloud Technologies

• Integrate AI/ML models with IoT gateways, SCADA, PLC/DCS systems, and cloud/edge platforms.
• Ensure compliance with IT security protocols and manage customer data with the highest degree of confidentiality.

• Collaboration, Documentation & Knowledge Development

• Collaborate with process, mechanical, chemical, and digital teams to align digital insights with physical system behaviour.
• Support dashboard development for pilot plants and enterprise-wide monitoring.
• Contribute to product catalogues, training modules, and internal knowledge-hub dossiers.
• Publish and present outcomes in data science, digital water, and sustainability forums.

Qualifications

• Education: PhD/M.Tech/Master’s in Engineering or Science with formal training in Data Science, Computer Science, IT, or Process Engineering.
• Experience: Minimum 7 years of experience after formal education, with at least 3 years applying data analytics in water/process industries.
• Technical Expertise: Hands-on experience with cloud, fog, and edge platforms.
• Strong knowledge of data structures, data management, data modelling.
• Experience with Kubernetes, Docker, containerized deployments.
• Exposure to SCADA, PLC, DCS, IoT architectures is highly valued.
• Ability to build digital twins and AI/ML-based models for real-time systems.
• Proficiency in Python, R, TensorFlow, PyTorch or similar ML frameworks.
• Experience with visualization tools like Power BI, Tableau, and handling time-series data.
• Publications: Preferred - 2-3 peer-reviewed publications or equivalent technical contributions in data science, digital water, or automation systems.
• Strong communication, documentation, and project management skills.

Location

Water Technology Centre, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu