(USA) Staff, Data Scientist

Walmart•Sunnyvale, CA

3d•$143,000 - $286,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Data Scientist provides technical leadership for large-scale Search and Personalization initiatives, driving the design and deployment of advanced AI solutions across multiple products. This role influences technical strategy, mentors senior scientists, and partners across engineering and product organizations to deliver scalable machine learning systems that improve customer discovery and business outcomes. The Applied AI Search & Personalization team develops scalable AI systems that transform how millions of customers discover products. We build intelligent retrieval, ranking, recommendation, and personalization models while leveraging Generative AI to create next-generation shopping experiences.

Requirements

Extensive experience building production AI/ML systems at scale.
Deep expertise in Search, Information Retrieval, Recommendation Systems, Personalization, or Ranking.
Experience with transformer models, embeddings, vector search, LLMs, or Generative AI applications.
Strong understanding of ML system architecture, MLOps, and distributed model deployment.
Expertise in experimentation, causal inference, and performance evaluation.
Excellent technical leadership and stakeholder management skills.
Proven ability to influence architecture and mentor technical teams across organizations.
Bachelors degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 4 years' experience in an analytics related field.
Masters degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 2 years' experience in an analytics related field.
6 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
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 architecture and technical direction for Search and Personalization machine learning systems.
Design scalable retrieval, ranking, recommendation, and personalization algorithms.
Drive adoption of Generative AI, Large Language Models, embeddings, and semantic search capabilities.
Lead cross-functional initiatives involving Product, Engineering, Platform, and Data Science teams.
Establish experimentation frameworks and best practices for model development and evaluation.
Mentor senior scientists and review technical designs across multiple initiatives.
Influence long-term AI strategy and technology investments.
Drive measurable improvements in customer engagement, search relevance, and business metrics.

Benefits

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
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
Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart