Data Scientist, Specialist

The Vanguard Group, Inc.; Malvern (AR); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Vanguard Group, Inc. in Malvern, AR is seeking a senior Data Scientist to lead AI-enabled simulations of customer behavior and decision making.

You will pilot analytics initiatives, combine behavioral science with marketing analytics, and deliver scalable AI solutions with rigor and impact. You will leverage LLMs, RAG architectures, prompt engineering, and evaluation frameworks to improve model fidelity and business relevance.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of experience in Data Science, Analytics, ML, Marketing Analytics, or related quantitative field.
• Demonstrated strength in analytics or applied AI/data science areas including LLMs, agentic systems, prompt engineering, RAG, and evaluation frameworks.
• Strong programming skills in Python and SQL, plus statistics, ML, and experimental design.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate analysis into actionable business recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Build and enhance AI-powered Digital Twins simulating customer behavior and decisions.
• Lead analytics and AI initiatives to improve fidelity, relevance, and predictive accuracy.
• Apply behavioral science, UX insights, and marketing analytics to human-centered AI models.
• Develop and optimize LLM, RAG, and agentic AI solutions with data prep, evaluation, and prompt engineering.
• Partner with product, marketing, analytics, UX research, and tech teams to translate problems into scalable AI solutions.
• Communicate findings to stakeholders and mentor junior data scientists and analysts.

Skills

Python

SQL

Statistics

Experiment design

Communication

Education

Advanced degree in Data Science or related field

Tools

LLMs

RAG architectures

Prompt engineering

AI evaluation frameworks

Job description

Core Responsibilities

• Build and enhance AI-powered Digital Twins that simulate customer behavior, preferences, and decision-making.
• Lead analytic and AI initiatives that improve simulation fidelity, business relevance, and predictive accuracy through experimentation, validation, and real-world outcome measurement.
• Apply behavioral science, customer research, UX insights, and marketing analytics to develop and refine human-centered AI models.
• Develop and optimize LLM, RAG, and agentic AI solutions, including data preparation, evaluation frameworks, prompt engineering, and model performance measurement.
• Partner with Product, Marketing, Analytics, UX Research, and Technology teams to translate business problems into scalable AI and data science solutions.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders and mentor junior data scientists and analysts.

Qualifications Required

• Minimum five years of experience in Data Science, Analytics, Machine Learning, Marketing Analytics, or a related quantitative field.
• Demonstrated strength in at least one of the following areas:
  • Analytics: Deep problem-solving experience in marketing, customer behavior, UX research, survey analysis, experimentation, behavioral science, or related domains.
  • Applied AI / Data Science: Experience building solutions using LLMs, agentic systems, prompt engineering, model fine-tuning, RAG architectures, and AI evaluation frameworks.
• Strong programming skills in Python and SQL, along with a solid foundation in statistics, machine learning, and experimental design.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex analytical findings into actionable business recommendations.

Preferred

• Experience developing AI systems that model, simulate, or predict human behavior, preferences, or decision-making.
• Experience building Digital Twins, synthetic personas, synthetic customers, or similar human simulation capabilities.
• Experience measuring alignment between AI predictions and real-world outcomes and improving model performance through experimentation and validation.
• Advanced degree in Data Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, Behavioral Science, Psychology, or a related field.

Special Factors

• Sponsorship
  • Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission---we're on a mission. To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.

Vanguard, one of the world's leading investment management companies, serves individual investors, institutions, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and financial professionals. We have a diverse and talented crew with a culture that promotes teamwork, along with an unwavering focus on serving our clients' best interests.