Data Scientist

National Life Group; Montpelier (VT); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Data Scientist to join their innovative AI Center of Excellence. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI, working on impactful projects that leverage both traditional machine learning and cutting-edge Generative AI technologies. You will collaborate with diverse teams to translate business needs into scalable solutions, ensuring ethical standards and compliance in AI governance. Join a supportive organization that values growth and innovation, and help build a transformative AI practice that makes a real difference in the world.

Benefits

401(k) retirement plan match

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid time off (22 days)

6 weeks of paid parental leave

6 weeks of paid family leave

Company-funded wellness account

Qualifications

• 10+ years of combined education and experience in data science or AI.
• Strong coding skills in Python and experience with ML models.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy AI solutions and traditional ML models.
• Take ownership of Generative AI projects and cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Python

Machine Learning

Data Analysis

Feature Engineering

Generative AI

Cross-Functional Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Data Science

Master’s degree in related field

Tools

Pandas

Scikit-learn

AWS

Azure

Databricks

Job description

Data Scientist

Company Summary

Come join one of America’s fastest growing insurance companies with a stable history of 175 years. At National Life Group (“NLG”), we offer a flexible work environment with opportunity for growth. As a mission-driven business, our promises are as important as the products we sell. We encourage our associates to live our values: Do Good. Be Good. Make Good.

Our mission extends beyond the insurance and annuities policies that we sell. Our cause is also to make the world a better place through grants from our charitable foundation, paid time for our employees to volunteer, environmentally sustainable and healthy work sites, and events that promote the work of nonprofits in our own backyard.

We invite you to explore what we have to offer and to join our cause.

Overview:

At National Life Group, we’re on a transformational journey to unlock the full potential of our data through innovative solutions—including artificial intelligence and next-generation analytics. We believe data is most powerful when it’s accurate, consistent, and used to drive action. Our Data & Analytics team is leading the way in enabling this future.

The Jr. Data Scientist will play a key role in shaping the future of AI at National Life as part of our newly formed AI Center of Excellence (AI CoE). This is a unique opportunity not only to deliver impactful AI solutions—ranging from traditional machine learning to Generative AI—but also to help build out the AI CoE practice. That includes everything from establishing technical platforms, to defining development processes, to contributing to enterprise-wide AI governance and best practices.

If you’re passionate about data science, curious about the future of GenAI, and excited to be part of something from the ground up, this role is for you.

What You'll Do:

As a Jr. Data Scientist in the AI CoE, you’ll lead and contribute to a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Designing, developing, and deploying AI solutions—both traditional ML models and GenAI-powered tools (e.g., summarization, chatbots, content generation)
• Taking ownership of GenAI projects, working cross-functionally to translate business needs into scalable technical solutions
• Helping define and establish our AI platform infrastructure (e.g., model serving environments, LLM APIs, cloud integration)
• Participating in the development of processes for model lifecycle management, versioning, evaluation, and deployment
• Ensuring AI solutions meet enterprise standards for ethical use, transparency, and compliance as part of broader AI governance efforts
• Performing data analysis, feature engineering, and model tuning to improve solution accuracy and relevance
• Creating documentation and training materials to support user adoption and understanding of AI tools
• Sharing knowledge and helping establish best practices in AI development across teams

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field (Master’s a plus)
• 10+ years of combined post-secondary education and relevant experience in data science, machine learning, or AI project work
• Strong coding skills in Python (including packages like Pandas, Scikit-learn, and optionally LangChain or Hugging Face)
• Experience working with LLMs, Generative AI tools, or traditional ML models in production environments
• Familiarity with cloud data and AI platforms such as Databricks, AWS, Azure, or Snowflake
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• A growth mindset and an entrepreneurial spirit—comfortable building as you go
• Interest in contributing to the design of AI development and governance processes

Why Join Us?

• Help shape and grow the AI Center of Excellence from the ground up
• Deliver high-impact AI solutions in a supportive, forward-looking organization
• Gain visibility and leadership opportunities as a foundational team member
• Work in a culture that embraces innovation, ethics, and continuous learning

The base compensation range represents the low and high end of the range for this position. Actual compensation will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to qualifications, skills, competencies, location, and experience. The range listed is just one component of our total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include an annual bonus, quarterly bonuses, commissions, and other long-term incentive compensation, depending on the position. National Life offers a competitive total rewards package which includes: a 401(k) retirement plan match; medical, dental, and vision insurance; a company funded wellness account for director and below employees; 10 paid holidays; a generous paid time off plan (22 days of combined time-off for non-exempt employees and exempt employees have discretion in managing their time, including scheduling time off in the normal course of business, but in no event will exempt employees receive less sick time than required by state or local law); 6 weeks of paid parental leave; and 6 weeks of paid family leave after a year of full-time employment. National Life is accepting applications for this role on an ongoing basis and the role remains open until filled. National Life Group is a trade name of National Life Insurance Company, Montpelier, VT – founded in 1848, Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Addison, TX – chartered in 1955, and their affiliates. Each company of National Life Group is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Life Insurance Company of the Southwest is not an authorized insurer in New York and does not conduct insurance business in New York. Equity Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser affiliate of National Life Insurance Company. All other entities are independent of the companies of National Life Group. National Life Group 1 National Life Dr Montpelier, VT 05604 Social Media Policy Site Disclosure and Privacy Policy

Equal Opportunity Employer
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