Data Scientist II

MetLife; Cary (NC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Job summary

MetLife is seeking a Data Scientist II to design and implement scalable data science, ML, Generative AI, and advanced analytics solutions. You’ll handle data acquisition, SQL, feature engineering, model deployment, and responsible AI practices in a hybrid office setting.

The role emphasizes production-grade AI, collaboration across teams, and adherence to governance and MLOps standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field.
• 3–5 years in data science or analytics.
• Hands-on Python, SQL, statistics and modeling.
• Experience with ML frameworks such as Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch.
• Foundational knowledge of Generative AI and prompt engineering.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy scalable data science and ML solutions.
• Prepare data, engineer features, build models and evaluate them.
• Develop GenAI workflows and RAG-based applications.
• Collaborate with Business, Technology, and Governance teams.

Skills

Python

SQL

Statistics

Hypothesis testing

Feature engineering

Predictive modeling

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field

Tools

Databricks

Apache Spark

Cloud analytics

Job description

At MetLife, data isn’t just a tool – it is a catalyst for growth. As part of our Data & Analytics organization, you’ll unlock trusted insights that drive bold decisions, power personalized customer experiences, and deliver lasting business impact. We’re building the future of data – one that’s governed responsibly, engineered for scalability, and designed for growth. When you join us, you’re not just supporting the business – you’re empowering it. Let’s transform insight into impact and data into action, together.

The Opportunity

The Data Scientist II is responsible for designing and implementing scalable data science, machine learning, Generative AI, and advanced analytics solutions that drive business value and informed decision-making. This role supports the full analytics lifecycle including data acquisition, SQL development, data preparation, feature engineering, model development, deployment, monitoring, and responsible AI practices. The position contributes to production-ready solutions using modern AI technologies and responsible AI principles.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, validate, deploy, monitor, and optimize analytics, machine learning, and AI solutions.
• Perform data extraction, SQL development, data preparation, exploratory analysis, feature engineering, and model evaluation.
• Develop production-grade predictive and Generative AI solutions using structured and unstructured data.
• Support foundation model adaptation, prompt engineering, embeddings, vector databases, RAG-based AI applications, and agentic AI workflows.
• Utilize Databricks, Apache Spark, and cloud-based analytics environments where applicable.
• Generate actionable insights and communicate business impact to stakeholders.
• Monitor solution performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Leverage AI-augmented tools to enhance productivity while ensuring output quality.
• Collaborate with Business, Technology, Operations, and D&A capabilities including Data Governance, Data Quality, Data Modeling, Data Architecture, Data Science, DevOps, and BI & Insights teams.
• Ensure adherence to quality, security, compliance, explainability, MLOps, model governance, and responsible AI standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Research, Computer Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, or related quantitative field.
• 3-5 years of experience in data science, analytics, machine learning, or related quantitative disciplines.
• Hands-on experience with Python, SQL, statistics, hypothesis testing, feature engineering, and predictive modeling.
• Experience with one or more machine learning frameworks (Scikit-learn OR TensorFlow OR PyTorch).
• Experience with data preparation, data wrangling, analytics solution development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Foundational knowledge of Generative AI including large language models, prompting, embeddings, vector stores, and RAG.
• Strong analytical, communication, and structured problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Databricks, Apache Spark, or cloud analytics platforms.
• Experience with NLP technologies including spaCy, Transformers, OCR, or related tools.
• Knowledge of agentic AI architectures, multi-agent workflows, AI copilots, and AI-augmented development environments.
• Exposure to model evaluation, benchmarking, monitoring, and MLOps fundamentals.
• Portfolio of academic, internship, personal, or professional data science projects.

Location Expectation: This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in office.

The expected salary range for this position is $90,000 - $115,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.

Benefits We Offer

Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more! For more information regarding MetLife's U.S. benefits, please click here.

About MetLife

Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces, as well as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

As part of our New Frontier strategy, MetLife is building an AI-enabled, people-centered future. We’re looking for people who bring curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset as we use AI to enhance how we serve customers, support communities, and evolve the way work gets done. At MetLife, AI is a responsible partner that supports human judgment, creativity, and continuous improvement while helping us build trust, inclusion, and long-term value.

Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we’re inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it’s #AllTogetherPossible. Join us!

MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law ('protected characteristics').

If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [e-mail]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.

MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liabilities.

This posting is for a current vacancy and is anticipated to remain open for at least 30 days from the listed posting date.