(USA) Principal, Data Scientist

Walmart • Bellevue, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Join Walmart as a Principal Data Scientist to lead advanced analytics initiatives that drive strategic business decisions. This role involves developing and deploying optimization and machine learning models, performing statistical analysis, and leveraging large-scale data to solve complex problems. The position requires collaboration across functions to translate business needs into data-driven solutions, ensuring model accuracy and scalability. The ideal candidate will apply expertise in coding, data visualization, and optimization techniques to enhance operational efficiency and deliver measurable business impact within a dynamic, technology-driven environment. The Inventory Decision Intelligence team, part of Applied AI, develops advanced AI and mathematical optimization solutions to enhance inventory management across Walmart’s network. The team builds scalable, reliable decision systems that optimize how inventory is ordered, positioned, transferred, and managed. Collaborating closely with engineering, product, and business teams, they improve inventory availability and sales while reducing excess and operating costs. Their work delivers improved experiences for customers and associates by applying agentic AI, statistical analysis, and optimization techniques to create consistent, data-driven solutions across varied business environments.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in developing and deploying machine learning models using Python and related tools.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis, hypothesis testing, and advanced modeling techniques including deep learning and optimization methods.
• Strong knowledge of data sourcing, quality assessment, and data ecosystem management to ensure fit-for-purpose datasets.
• Ability to translate complex business problems into analytical solutions with measurable impact.
• Expertise in optimization or machine learning as well as model validation, deployment, and lifecycle management for scalable production environments.
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring teams and driving cross-functional collaboration to deliver data-driven insights.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS SageMaker or GCP for model development and deployment.
• 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)
• 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.
• 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

• Develop, test, and deploy advanced data science solutions using appropriate programming languages and tools.
• Analyze complex business problems to identify root causes and recommend data-driven approaches.
• Identify and validate suitable data sources, ensuring data quality and relevance for modeling.
• Design and implement optimization algorithms or machine learning models, optimizing features and algorithms for accuracy and scalability.
• Evaluate model performance using rigorous validation techniques and adjust models accordingly.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business requirements into actionable data strategies.
• Mentor team members on analytical methods, modeling techniques, and best practices.

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
• Jury duty
• Voting
• 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.
• Walmart-paid education benefit program (Live Better U) 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.

What This Job Offers

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