Lead Data Scientist

Job Title: Lead Machine Learning Data ScientistLocation: Dallas/Fort Worth TexasDuration: Temp - 5 monthsPay Range: $52/hr $56/hr (W2)Job ID: 399802About BCforwardBCforward is a leading global IT consulting and workforce solutions firm providing services and support to Fortune 500 and government clients. Founded in 1998, BCforward has grown with our customers needs into a full-service business solutions provider. With delivery centers and offices across North America and India, we take pride in building long-term relationships and delivering excellence through innovation, collaboration, and integrity.Job DescriptionWe are seeking a Lead Machine Learning engineer/scientist to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in Python development, deterministic optimization with MIP solvers, and production ML/optimization systems and a proven ability to design, deploy, and maintain scalable optimization and machine learning solutions that deliver measurable business outcomes.Responsibilities:Collaborate with leaders, analysts, project managers, architects, technical leads, engineers, and internal customers to translate requirements into AI and optimization solutions.Maintain and enhance enterprise services and applications using domain-driven design and test-driven development.Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues and implement robust fixes.Create detailed specifications, requirements, and estimates for projects and features.Research and implement new AI technologies to improve processes, security, and performance.Partner with OR&AA and IT teams to gather requirements, challenge assumptions, and influence product direction for optimization capabilities.Design, build, and enhance a Python-based Materials Distribution Optimizer on KPaaS using Mixed Integer Programming.Operate and improve a recurring production optimization system (~every 20 minutes) for reliability, scalability, and performance.Develop and integrate predictive analytics to inform forward-looking optimization decisions.Analyze historical data and build statistical or ML models to advance from greedy, point-in-time optimization to anticipatory decision-making.Implement and optimize Python-based ML pipelines for preprocessing, training, deployment, and monitoring.Monitor model performance, address bias, improve explainability, and ensure scalability and efficiency in production.Write and maintain production-quality code and integrate models into applications with software engineering partners.Contribute to CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and application and model health monitoring.Required Skills & Qualifications:Graduate degree in a quantitative field such as Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or Data Science.Strong Python development experience building production applications and services.Proven experience designing and implementing deterministic optimization models with solvers such as Gurobi, CPLEX, or Xpress, ideally MIP-based.Experience operating production systems with reliability, scalability, and performance objectives.Preferred Skills:Experience with dynamic or stochastic optimization or programming.Background in machine learning and integrating forecasts into optimization workflows.Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, automated unit and integration testing, and cloud-based deployments.Experience with database integration using SQL, MongoDB, or similar technologies.Domain experience in transportation, supply chain, service parts logistics, or spare parts systems.Why BCforward?At BCforward, we believe in advancing lives and careers. When you join our team, you gain access to:Competitive compensation and benefits.Opportunities for growth with global clients.A supportive, inclusive culture that values innovation and people.Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and projects.