Staff, Data Scientist

Walmart • Sunnyvale, CA

5d • $143,000 - $286,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We’re looking for a Staff Data Scientist to design and build advanced retrieval, relevance, ranking, bidding, targeting recommendation models to ensure good Walmart customer and advertiser’s experience that power critical advertising business growth. You’ll build and deploy state-of-the-art prediction models (classical + ML + deep learning), drive explainability and trust (XAI), and explore next-generation approaches such as foundation models for unifying all different tasks. You’ll partner closely with engineering, product, and stakeholders to deliver measurable impact at scale.

Requirements

• 8+ years in data science / applied ML (or PhD + 5 years), with deep hands-on exposure to forecasting and predictive modeling.
• Demonstrated experience delivering production grade ML models with measurable business outcomes.
• Hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks (PyTorch or TensorFlow) and modern architectures for time series.
• Practical experience with explainable AI methods and communicating model reasoning to non-technical stakeholders.
• Excellent coding skills in Python; strong grasp of software engineering fundamentals (testing, packaging, code reviews).
• Ability to translate ambiguous business problems into rigorous modeling plans and deliver results.
• High attention to detail and an ownership mindset in managing multiple high-impact projects.
• Proficiency in Python, Sql and data visualization tools.
• Experience using PyTorch/TensorFlow; scikit-learn; XGBoost/LightGBM and other models for production grade models.
• Experience building solutions with time series libraries (statsmodels, Prophet-like tools, etc.)
• Interest and exposure to explainability: SHAP, Integrated Gradients, permutation importance, counterfactuals.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with graph neural networks (PyG/DGL), spatiotemporal GNNs, or temporal graph learning.
• Experience with causal inference or decision-focused forecasting (uplift, impact estimation, counterfactuals, policy evaluation).
• Familiarity with large-scale data/compute: Spark, distributed training, feature stores, GPU workflows.
• Experience building human-centered explainability: dashboards, driver decomposition, “why changed” analysis, model cards.
• Publications, patents, or open-source contributions in time series, XAI, or graph learning.
• Experience with data platforms like Spark/Databricks, Airflow, Kubernetes
• MLOps/AgentOps experience in deployment model and/or Agentic workflows at scale.
• 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

• Design and deploy statistically and ML models to address high-impact financial forecasting needs, ensuring alignment with Walmart’s business objectives.
• Perform statistical analysis across large data sets and within defined segments to empower data driven decisions.
• Own E2E predictive model lifecycle, including scoping, feature engineering, model development, experimentation, monitoring and ongoing performance optimizations.
• Develop advanced time series solutions using: Statistical methods (ETS, ARIMA/SARIMA, State Space Models), ML approaches (GBMs, Random Forests, linear/elastic models with engineered time features), Deep learning and foundation model (FM, MMOE, PLE, HSTU), Probabilistic forecasting and uncertainty quantification (quantile regression, Bayesian approaches, conformal prediction, prediction intervals).
• Establish strong evaluation and monitoring: backtesting, leakage prevention, stability checks, drift detection, calibration of uncertainty, and post-deployment performance tracking.
• Drive best practices in MLOps and production readiness: reproducible pipelines, scalable training/inference, model versioning, and governance.
• Build Agentic workflows to enable conversational agentic framework for explainability and scenario planning.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners including Product, Business, Data Science and Engineering.
• Mentor other data scientists, set modeling standards, and influence technical direction across teams.

Benefits

• Incentive awards for your performance
• 401(k) match
• Stock purchase plan
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• PTO
• Multiple health plans
• Competitive pay
• Performance-based bonus awards
• 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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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