Expert Data Scientists, Conversational AI

Walmart • Bellevue, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

As part of the Emerging Tech team, this role sits at the forefront of how AI shifts from reactive to proactive by moving from simply answering questions to anticipating customer needs. As a Distinguished or Principal Data Scientist, you will define strategy and system level architecture across agent- led decision systems, generative media foundations, and conversational AI evaluation. Your work powers intelligent agents that guide and elevate how customers shop at Walmart at massive scale. Immigration Sponsorship is not available in this role. About Emerging Tech: Our Emerging Tech team drives Walmart’s AI transformation by building intelligent systems that influence how millions shop every day across our global retail ecosystem. We develop state-of-the-art generative and conversational AI that powers more proactive, connected, and personalized experiences. At this scale, every innovation you create not only reaches millions of customers worldwide but also comes to life in the very communities where you live, work, and shop. About Walmart Global Tech: Imagine working in an environment where one line of code can make life easier for hundreds of millions of people. That's what we do at Walmart Global Tech. Were a team of software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity experts and service professionals within the world's leading retailer who make an epic impact and are at the forefront of the next retail disruption. People are why we innovate, and people power our innovations. We are people-led and tech-empowered. We train our team in the skillsets of the future and bring in experts like you to help us grow. We have roles for those chasing their first opportunity as well as those looking for the opportunity that will define their career. Here, you can kickstart a great career in tech, gain new skills and experience for virtually every industry, or leverage your expertise to innovate at scale, impact millions and reimagine the future of retail. Walmart's culture is a competitive advantage, and its fostered by being together. Working together in person allows us to collaborate, align quickly and innovate with greater speed. We use our campuses to create purposeful connection rooted in deepening understanding and investing in the development of our associates. Our hubs: Walmart is a global company with offices across the United States and around the world. Our global headquarters is in Bentonville, Arkansas, with primary hubs in the San Francisco Bay area and New York/New Jersey.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience building and deploying advanced ML and AI systems at scale
• Proven track record of owning architecture-level decisions for LLMs, agentic systems, evaluation frameworks, or generative platforms
• Deep expertise in one domain with the ability to influence adjacent areas
• Experience turning ambiguous product or business goals into clear, long-term technical strategies
• A strong record of production impact and technical leadership
• External credibility through publications, patents, open-source contributions, speaking engagements, or similar achievements
• Bachelors degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 5 years' experience in an analytics related field.
• Masters degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 3 years' experience in an analytics related field.
• 7 years' experience in an analytics or related field

Nice To Haves

• Data science, machine learning, optimization models
• PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Information Technology, Operations Research, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Econometrics
• Publications or active peer reviewer in related journals or conference
• Successful completion of one or more assessments in Python, Spark, Scala, or R
• 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 strategy and system level architecture across agent- led decision systems, generative media foundations, and conversational AI evaluation.
• Shape the long-term vision for AI systems and platforms, setting the direction for what’s next.
• Lead architectural decisions across key areas like agentic systems, evaluation, and generative platforms.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to directors and senior leaders, influencing strategy at the highest level.
• Establish standards, frameworks, and best practices that guide teams toward excellence.
• Showcase technical leadership externally through publications, patents, open-source contributions, and thought leadership.

Benefits

• Incentive awards for performance
• 401(k) match
• Stock purchase plan
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• PTO
• Multiple health plans
• Performance bonuses
• Company-paid life insurance
• Family care leave
• Bereavement
• Jury duty
• Voting leave
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Company discounts
• Military Leave Pay
• Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement
• PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes.
• Walmart-paid education benefit program (Live better U) for full-time and part-time associates

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal