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Data Science Specialist - OptimusAI

McKinsey & Company

Data Science

Brussels, Belgium

Posted on Feb 14, 2026

Digital

Data Science Specialist - OptimusAI

Job ID: 105716

Are you ready to help leading companies in the Energy and Materials sector unlock their full productivity potential with the power of AI?

Brussels

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Do you want to work on complex and pressing challenges—the kind that bring together curious, ambitious, and determined leaders who strive to become better every day? If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place.

Your Impact

As a Data Science Specialist, you’ll collaborate in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team of 3–6 experts, using your creativity and analytics expertise to drive client performance in areas like energy efficiency, product quality, and capacity. You’ll work side-by-side with client process engineers and analytics specialists, presenting your insights directly to executive audiences.

Internally, you’ll partner with our talented product engineers to develop innovative products and algorithms that address both current and future client needs. You’ll play a key role in codifying best practices, amplifying our impact both inside and outside the firm, and shaping the product roadmap.

You’ll be based in our Brussels office as part of McKinsey’s manufacturing AI solution, OptimusAI, which sits at the intersection of three practices: Global Energy and Materials, QuantumBlack, and Operations.

Global Energy and Materials:Advises production and investor companies across chemicals & agriculture, paper & packaging, metals & mining, oil & gas, and power generation on strategic, operational, and growth issues.

QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey:The AI arm of our firm, helping clients transform faster, innovate smarter, and anticipate the future.

Operations:Assists clients in solving complex operational challenges by developing and implementing strategies and solutions for their most critical problems—connecting boardroom strategies to shop floor operators.

At the intersection of these groups, OptimusAI is a team of ~10 expert consultants, data scientists, and engineers focused on improving processing plant productivity through data analytics. We develop real-time AI advisory systems to support decision making in plant control rooms, optimize process control systems, and unlock plant bottlenecks through data-driven process changes.

OptimusAI also supports a global community of consultants by developing an innovative machine learning toolkit and codifying our approach to deliver significant and lasting client impact.

You’ll benefit from world-class training in business problem structuring and client advisory, working closely with senior manufacturing and analytics experts. Experience unparalleled career growth, with significant ownership and responsibility from day one, all within a collaborative, diverse, and non-hierarchical environment. Plus, seize the opportunity to travel to client sites—locally and around the world.

There is a flexibility to hire at different role level, depending on your experience.

Your Growth

Driving lasting impact and building long-term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high performance/high reward culture - doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues—at all levels—will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you'll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else.

When you join us, you will have:

Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast-paced learning experience, owning your journey.
A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
Global community: With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm’s diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
World-class benefits: On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well-being for you and your family.

Your qualifications and skills

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in data science, computer science, engineering, or a related field
4+ years of hands-on experience in advanced analytics, ideally within heavy industry environments
Advanced Python programming skills, with a passion for writing clean, efficient, modular, and maintainable code
Proven ability to implement and maintain MLOps pipelines for seamless model integration and deployment
Strong DevOps and backend engineering capabilities, including experience with CI/CD pipelines, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and infrastructure as code (Terraform, Ansible)
Self-starter with excellent organizational abilities—able to independently initiate tasks and drive them to completion
Skilled in making rational, data-driven decisions based on facts and logical reasoning
Ability to create high-quality work products, such as PowerPoint presentations, Excel models, articles, or other written outputs
Exceptional time management skills to thrive in a complex, largely autonomous work environment
Willingness to work or attend meetings outside traditional business hours, and to take on projects at short notice when needed
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills in English and the local office language(s), with the ability to tailor your style to different audiences and seniority levels

Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues.

Our unwavering commitment to integrity drives everything we do, guiding us to always act in the best interests of our clients, our people, and the communities we serve.

Industries

High Tech

Capabilities

Technology

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FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.

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Job Skill Group - N/A
Job Skill Code - SSDC - Software Delivery Specialist, Data
Function - Technology
Industry - High Tech
Post to LinkedIn - Yes
Posted to LinkedIn Date - Wed Feb 11 00:00:00 GMT 2026
LinkedIn Posting City - Brussels
LinkedIn Posting State/Province -
LinkedIn Posting Country - Belgium
LinkedIn Job Title - Data Science Specialist - OptimusAI
LinkedIn Function - Information Technology
LinkedIn Industry - Computer Software;Information Technology and Services
LinkedIn Seniority Level - Associate

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