Director, Data Science

Walmart • Sunnyvale, CA

2d • $169,000 - $338,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Position Summary... What you'll do... As a Director, Data Science – Personalization, you will lead the strategy, development, and scaling of Walmart International’s next-generation AI-powered personalization systems. This role will drive innovation across recommendation systems, relevance, and customer experience, leveraging advanced machine learning, LLMs, and agentic AI frameworks to deliver highly relevant and contextual experiences for millions of customers globally. You will lead a high-performing team of data scientists, applied researchers, and ML engineers, translating cutting-edge AI innovation into measurable business outcomes across multiple international markets. What You’ll Do... Define Personalization Strategy Set and execute a multi-year vision for AI-driven personalization, aligning scientific innovation with business priorities and customer experience goals. Lead Advanced AI & Personalization Systems Design and scale recommendation engines, ranking systems, conversational personalization, and relevance models using LLMs, embeddings, RAG, and agentic AI systems. Architect Scalable AI Platforms Build and evolve large-scale personalization platforms using modern cloud and data technologies, ensuring reliability, scalability, and global adaptability. Establish Experimentation & Measurement Frameworks Drive A/B testing, uplift modeling, and experimentation strategies to measure impact across customer engagement, relevance, and business KPIs. Champion Responsible AI & Governance Ensure systems adhere to principles of fairness, transparency, and compliance, with strong model governance, monitoring, and safety guardrails. Lead Cross-Functional Execution Partner with product, engineering, design, and business leaders across global markets to deliver impactful personalization solutions. Build and Develop Talent Mentor and grow a world-class team, fostering a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and ownership.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in data science and machine learning, with 5+ years in leadership roles.
• Proven success building and scaling personalization, recommendation, or search systems in large-scale environments.
• Deep expertise in Generative AI (LLMs, RAG, embeddings) and modern ML techniques such as reinforcement learning and contextual bandits.
• Strong experience with cloud-based ML platforms (preferably GCP), distributed data systems, and MLOps practices.
• Hands-on proficiency in Python, PyTorch/TensorFlow, and large-scale data processing (e.g., Spark, BigQuery).
• Strong product mindset with the ability to translate complex problems into scalable AI solutions.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with experience influencing senior stakeholders and driving cross-functional alignment.
• Option 1: Bachelors degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 6 years' experience in an analytics related field.
• Option 2: Masters degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 4 years' experience in an analytics related field.
• Option 3: 8 years' experience in an analytics or related field

Nice To Haves

• Experience with agentic AI systems, multi-agent architectures, or conversational AI.
• Background in global or multi-market personalization platforms.
• Experience building real-time personalization or recommendation systems at scale.
• Data science, machine learning, optimization models, PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Information Technology, Operations Research, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Econometrics
• Successful completion of one or more assessments in Python, Spark, Scala, or R
• Supervisory experience
• Using open source frameworks (for example, scikit learn, tensorflow, torch)
• We value candidates with a background in creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly. The ideal candidate would have knowledge of accessibility best practices and join us as we continue to create accessible products and services following Walmart’s accessibility standards and guidelines for supporting an inclusive culture.

Responsibilities

• Define Personalization Strategy
• Lead Advanced AI & Personalization Systems
• Architect Scalable AI Platforms
• Establish Experimentation & Measurement Frameworks
• Champion Responsible AI & Governance
• Lead Cross-Functional Execution
• Build and Develop Talent

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.
• Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees