Principal, Data Scientist

About the position

As a Principal Data Scientist, you will lead the development and deployment of advanced AI and machine learning models across Walmart's vast operations. Drawing on your extensive experience, you will work on large-scale data challenges, design innovative algorithms, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive measurable business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of AI/ML projects, from ideation to deployment, ensuring alignment with Walmart's strategic goals.
• Design and implement scalable cloud-based machine learning and data science solutions, leveraging GCP, or other cloud platforms.
• Develop novel algorithms and leverage state-of-the-art AI frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, HuggingFace) to solve complex problems in supply chain optimization, customer personalization, and operational efficiency.
• Build highly parallelized compute environments for processing large-scale datasets, optimizing performance across CPU and GPU architectures.
• Collaborate with diverse teams across engineering, business, and operations to understand requirements and integrate data science solutions seamlessly.
• Advocate for best practices in software development, including CI/CD, unit testing, and documentation, to ensure robust and reliable systems.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to building a culture of innovation and learning within the data science community at Walmart.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field; Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in software development and data science, with a focus on AI/ML applications and mathematical modeling.
• Expertise in Python, C++, CUDA, and relevant libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, TensorFlow, and PyTorch.
• Strong experience with cloud services, especially GCP, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform.
• Proven track record in designing and implementing AI/ML solutions for large-scale, high-performance systems.
• Proven track record of building and maintaining APIs for machine learning or data-driven applications.
• Hands-on experience with computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), and recommender systems.
• Strong knowledge of data pipelines, ETL processes, and big data technologies.
• Must know Pyspark and Scala.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage stakeholders and deliver business value.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with serverless architecture and microservices.
• Background in scientific or mathematical applications of AI/ML.

Benefits

• Competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards.
• Health benefits including medical, vision and dental coverage.
• Financial benefits including 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance.
• Paid time off benefits including PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Company discounts.
• Military Leave Pay.
• Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement.
• Live Better U education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates.