Principal, Data Scientist

Position Summary...

As the Principal Data Scientist in our high-performing AI Labs team, you will spearhead the development of advanced AI and ML applications to streamline processes, automate tasks, and deliver actionable insights within the Global Talent & Learning organization. You will drive AI innovation, provide product leadership, and enable operational transformation. Additionally, you will mentor junior data scientists, establishing frameworks and best practices to ensure robust, rapid development and deployment of data-intensive applications.

What you'll do...

About the Team

Our AI Lab is a small, high-performing team within the Global Talent & Learning organization, dedicated to achieving high-priority objectives. We develop end-to-end solutions to modernize Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Learning, and Workforce Intelligence functions. Our small, fast-paced team fosters an innovative, ownership-driven mindset, promoting professional growth, cross-disciplinary exposure, and deep insight into the business challenges we solve.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the design and implementation of advanced ML/AI, GenAI, and agentic AI solutions.

• Conduct research to inform strategies, evaluate organizational outcomes, identify challenges, and anticipate future needs.

• Influence a team of data scientists, analysts, and software engineers to deliver impactful AI/ML solutions.

• Collaborate with Data Science Management, Business Leaders, and ML engineering teams to drive innovation in insights, frameworks, and causal inference solutions.

• Manage the full project lifecycle, from planning and data collection to model prototyping, deployment, and stakeholder communication.

• Implement MLOps practices to build, deploy, and monitor data science algorithms, ensuring continuous testing and drift detection.

• Communicate complex technical concepts to senior management and cross-functional teams, enhancing processes and building key relationships.

What You’ll Bring

• Extensive experience developing large-scale ML/AI solutions, including causal inference and ranking/prioritization systems.

• 8+ years of experience in applied ML, proficient in supervised and unsupervised algorithms.

• Advanced programming skills in Python, with expertise in large-scale data structures and algorithms.

• 3+ years of experience with causal inference frameworks, Bayesian networks, and operations research methods (e.g., Newsvendor, Traveling Salesman, Shortest Path models).

• Proficiency in cloud environments (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP) for scalable deployment.

• Strong MLOps expertise, including design documentation, unit/integration testing, and source control (Git).

• Proven experience with agile methodologies and project management tools (e.g., JIRA).

• Exceptional leadership, mentorship, and communication skills to guide teams and engage stakeholders.

At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.

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You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable.

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For information about PTO, see https://one.walmart.com/notices.

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Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high s