Data Scientist, Principal - AI Product Engineering

Blue Shield of California

United States

Hybrid

USD 161,000 - 242,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Stellarus, part of the Ascendiun family, seeks a Principal Data Scientist to lead AI product development, deploying generative AI features across customer-facing apps and enterprise workflows.

You will translate cutting-edge AI research into real-world products, building production‑grade AI solutions and guiding technical direction for the organization.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or quantitative field; advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of experience in data science, ML, or advanced analytics.
Proven track record shipping software products rapidly.

Responsibilities

Lead development and deployment of novel AI applications leveraging generative models.
Design scalable AI apps including LLMs, copilots, agents, RAG, and search.
Prototype quickly and iterate based on evaluation results.
Lead architecture and development from 0 to 1 for new features and products.
Collaborate with researchers and PMs to translate research into product features.
Build APIs, services, and data pipelines exposing AI capabilities to apps.
Ensure performance, reliability, and governance of deployed AI systems.
Mentor team members and foster a high-performing environment.

Skills

Python

LLM frameworks

LangChain

RAG

Cloud platforms

MLOps

Team leadership

Data science

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/quantitative

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

LangGraph

Job description

Your Role

The AI & Machine Learning team works in partnership across the enterprise to accelerate business outcomes by applying AI, machine learning, and generative AI to build intelligent products that create “intelligence at scale.” Reporting to the Director, AI & Machine Learning, the Data Scientist, Principal will lead the development and deployment of novel applications that leverage generative AI models. This role focuses on rapidly developing new features and working across partner teams to deliver solutions and maximize impact, translating cutting-edge AI research into real‑world products and taking features from 0 to 1. You will design, build, and ship production‑grade AI products including LLM‑powered applications, AI agents and copilots, retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG) and search, and AI‑enabled automation embedded directly into customer‑facing applications and enterprise workflows such as claims, payment integrity, clinical insights, and member experience. You will set the technical direction for how AI is applied across the organization.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and deployment of novel applications that leverage generative AI models, setting the technical direction for AI and machine learning across the organization
Design and develop scalable applications leveraging generative AI models including LLM applications, copilots, agents, and RAG and search, embedded in customer‑facing products and enterprise workflows
Rapidly prototype new features and iterate based on evaluation results
Lead the architecture and development of new products and features from 0 to 1
Collaborate with researchers and product managers to translate cutting‑edge AI research into tangible product features
Build the APIs, services, and data and retrieval pipelines that expose AI capabilities to applications
Optimize software performance and ensure the reliability of deployed applications
Champion best practices for building and deploying generative AI applications
Evaluate model performance, analyze results, and implement improvements, ensuring responsible and compliant AI
Mentor and develop team members, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing environment

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, a quantitative discipline, or equivalent practical experience; Master’s degree or PhD preferred
10 years of prior relevant experience in data science, machine learning, applied AI/ML, software engineering, or advanced analytics
Proven track record of building and shipping software products rapidly, not just developing models or analyses
Strong software engineering skills and proficiency in Python, including building APIs and backend services
Experience leading ML design and optimizing ML infrastructure, model deployment, evaluation, and data processing, and working with machine learning frameworks and libraries
Hands‑on experience with deep learning and LLM application frameworks, including PyTorch, TensorFlow, LangChain, and LangGraph
Hands‑on experience building applications that leverage generative AI models, including prompt engineering and retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG)
Experience with generative AI research or applications preferred
Experience designing agent‑based systems and orchestration frameworks preferred
Experience with cloud computing platforms and infrastructure (e.g., Azure, Google Cloud, or AWS), and scalable data processing with SQL or Spark preferred
Solid MLOps and LLMOps practices, including CI/CD, monitoring, and model lifecycle management preferred
Experience rapidly developing and shipping software in a fast‑paced, customer‑facing environment, adapting to changing priorities preferred
Understanding of responsible AI and governance for regulated or healthcare environments preferred

Hybrid

This role requires employees to be in‑office based on our hybrid workplace model, balancing purposeful in‑person collaboration with flexibility. For most teams, this means coming into the office two days each week. Employees living more than 50 miles from an office location will work with their manager to determine in‑office time based on business need.

About Stellarus and the Ascendiun Family of Companies

Stellarus, launched in January 2025, is designed to scale innovative healthcare solutions that support customers in creating a health care experience deserving of their family, friends, and neighbors.

Stellarus is part of a family of organizations that is overseen by a nonprofit corporate entity named Ascendiun. The Ascendiun Family of Companies also includes Blue Shield of California and its subsidiary, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and Altais, a clinical services company.

Stellarus’s vision is to empower its customers to create a healthcare experience that is worthy of their family, friends, and neighbors. Stellarus’s objective is to offer innovative, modern, scalable solutions that challenge the health care status quo. This very closely aligns with Blue Shield of California’s vision by using innovation to improve quality, affordability, and experience for members.

To achieve our mission, we foster an environment where all employees can thrive and contribute fully to address the needs of the various communities we serve. We are committed to creating and maintaining a supportive workplace that upholds our values and advances our goals.

Our Values

At Stellarus, our core values of agility, trust, drive, courage and service shape our approach to developing innovative product offerings.

Our Workplace Model

We believe in fostering a workplace environment that balances purposeful in‑person collaboration with flexibility - providing clear expectations while respecting the diverse needs of our workforce. Our workplace model is designed around intentional in‑person interaction, collaboration, connection, creativity and flexibility:

For most teams, this means coming into the office two days per week.
Employees living more than 50 miles from an office location, out of state employees, and employees in certain member‑facing roles should work with their manager to determine in‑office time based on business need.
For employees with medical conditions that may impact their ability to work in‑office, we are committed to engaging in an interactive process and providing reasonable accommodations to ensure their work environment is conducive to their success and well‑being.

The Company reserves the right to require more presence in the office based on business needs, and requirements are subject to change with periodic reviews.

Physical Requirements

Office Environment - roles involving part to full time schedule in Office Environment. Based in our physical offices and work from home office/deskwork - Activity level: Sedentary, frequency most of work day.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

External hires must pass a background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with arrest records and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with Federal, State and local laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability status and any other classification protected by Federal, State and local laws.

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