(USA) Principal, Data Scientist

Walmart • Bentonville, AR

1d • $110,000 - $220,000 • Onsite

About The Position

As a Principal Data Scientist and Core Solution Architect, you will be the visionary lead responsible for defining the technical backbone of Walmart’s Retail Digital Twin ecosystem. You will move beyond being a "user" of tools to becoming an architect of systems—selecting and integrating best-in-class simulation engines, 3D frameworks, and agentic AI to build a high-fidelity, scalable platform that optimizes the world’s largest retail operation.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience designing complex, large-scale software systems or simulation environments with a focus on modularity and high-performance computing.
• Deep proficiency in a variety of simulation environments and the ability to determine when to use commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) versus building bespoke solutions.
• Expert-level coding skills in C++, Java, or Python, with a strong background in data structures, algorithms, and distributed systems.
• Proven track record of implementing Reinforcement Learning (RL), Multi-Agent Systems (MAS), or Large Action Models (LAMs) within a simulation context.
• PhD or MS in Computer Science, Robotics, Computational Physics, or Industrial Engineering.
• 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)
• Creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly.
• 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

• Lead the design of a modular, distributed digital twin architecture that balances simulation fidelity with computational efficiency across diverse retail use cases.
• Evaluate and deploy the most effective simulation paradigms (Agent-Based, DES, Physics-based) and tools—whether leveraging AnyLogic, NVIDIA Omniverse, or building custom C++/Python-based engines from the ground up.
• Build production-grade, scalable applications that integrate real-time IoT data streams, ensuring the digital twin platform is performant and maintainable at an enterprise scale.
• Design the orchestration layer for agentic workflows, enabling intelligent entities within the twin to perform complex reasoning and autonomous optimization.
• Define the schema and governance for reusable process blocks (XML/JSON) and 3D CAD assets (USD/gLTF) to ensure interoperability across the organization’s pillars.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison between software engineering, data science, and retail operations to align the simulation roadmap with global business objectives.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Performance-based bonus awards
• Medical coverage
• Vision coverage
• Dental coverage
• 401(k)
• Stock purchase
• Company-paid life insurance
• PTO (including sick leave)
• Parental leave
• Family care leave
• Bereavement leave
• Jury duty leave
• Voting leave
• Short-term disability
• 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
• Live Better U (Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates)

What This Job Offers

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