Group Director, Software Engineering - Applied AI

Socket.dev; Sunnyvale (CA); Hybrid; USD 254,000 - 481,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits (medical, vision, andd

401(k) and stock purchase

Paid time off

Job summary

Walmart Global Tech seeks a Group Director, Applied AI & Engineering to lead a premier applied AI and engineering team building Walmart’s next-generation intelligence layer. You will own the vision, strategy, and execution of large-scale foundational models trained on massive multi-modal datasets, powering Search, Personalization, Sponsored Ads, and Supply Chain Forecasting.

You will collaborate with the Retail Intelligence group to deploy scalable AI models across Walmart’s products and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Mathematics, or a highly quantitative field.
• 8+ years of experience directly managing and scaling high-performing data science and ML engineering teams, with at least 3+ years managing managers.
• Proven track record of designing, training, and deploying deep learning models in production at massive scale
• Deep understanding of distributed training frameworks

Responsibilities

• Technical Vision & Strategy: Define the multi-year roadmap for Walmart’s Commerce Foundational Models. Drive the paradigm shift from siloed, domain-specific models to unified, multi-task generative architectures
• High-Scale Engineering Leadership: Lead a world-class team of Applied AI Researchers, Machine Learning Engineers, and Data Scientists.
• Horizontal Collaboration & Influence: Partner closely with product, engineering, and business leaders across Search, Ads, Personalization, and Customer Experience to ensure foundational models are seamlessly integrated, delivering massive business value.
• Evangelism & Adoption: Serve as the primary champion for foundational models within Walmart Global Tech.

Skills

AI leadership

team management

foundational models

distributed training

Education

Master’s degree in CS/ML

PhD preferred

Job description

Position Summary...

What you'll do...

Role summary: AstheGroupDirector,AppliedAI&Engineeringyouwillleadanelite,high-caliberappliedAIandengineeringteamdedicatedtobuildingWalmart’snext-generationintelligencelayer. Youwillberesponsibleforthevision,strategy,andexecutionoflarge-scalefoundationalmodelstrainedonourmassive,multi-modaldatasetencompassingbillionsofcustomertouchpoints,transactionhistories,searchqueriesetc. YourmodelswillserveastheAIenginepoweringcriticalconsumerfacingandenterpriseproductsacrossWalmart’secosystem,includingSearch,Personalization,SponsoredAds,ConversationalCommerce,andSupplyChainForecasting.

About the team: The AI and Data organization integrates key capabilities to leverage AI and data as strategic assets across Walmart. It develops and manages shared platforms, intelligence, and decision systems that enhance customer experiences, empower associates, and deliver measurable business outcomes. Within this organization, the Retail Intelligence group focuses on creating and deploying scalable AI models and services that efficiently bring advanced AI capabilities to Walmart’s products and operations. The team collaborates closely with stakeholders to drive data strategy, machine learning innovation, and business insights, supporting Walmart’s commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.

What you'll do:

• KeyResponsibilities TechnicalVision&Strategy: Define the multi-year roadmap for Walmart’s Commerce Foundational Models. Drive the paradigm shift from siloed, domain-specific models to unified, multi-task generative architectures
• High-ScaleEngineeringLeadership: Lead a world-class team of Applied AI Researchers, Machine Learning Engineers, and Data Scientists.
• HorizontalCollaboration&Influence: Partner closely with product, engineering, and business leaders across Search, Ads, Personalization, and Customer Experience to ensure foundational models are seamlessly integrated, delivering massive business value.
• Evangelism&Adoption: Serve as the primary champion for foundational models within Walmart Global Tech.

What you'll bring:

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Mathematics, or a highly quantitative field.
• 8+ years of experience directly managing and scaling high-performing data science and ML engineering teams, with at least 3+ years managing managers.
• Proven track record of designing, training, and deploying deep learning models in production at massive scale
• Deep understanding of distributed training frameworks

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in CS, ML, or a related field with a strong publication record in top‑tier AI/ML conferences
• Domain expertise in RecSys and experience building Generative Recommenders, Hierarchical Sequential Transducers (HSTU) or sequence-based models for user behavior representation
• Deep knowledge of low‑latency inference optimization techniques, real‑time retrieval

At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company‑paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short‑term and long‑term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable. For information about PTO, see https://one.walmart.com/notices. Live Better U is a Walmart‑paid education benefit program for full‑time and part‑time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short‑form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms.

For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart.

Sunnyvale, California US-11656: The annual salary range for this position is $254,000.00 - $481,000.00

Bentonville, Arkansas US-30003: The annual salary range for this position is $195,000.00 - $370,000.00 Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include: Stock

Minimum Qualifications...

Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications.

• Option 1: Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 8 years’ experience in software engineering or related area.
• Option 2: 10 years’ experience in software engineering or related area.
• 5 years’ supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications...

Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications.

• Master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 6 years' experience in software engineering or related area, We value candidates with a background in creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly. The ideal candidate would have 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.

Primary Location...

1375 Crossman Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1114, United States of America Walmart and its subsidiaries are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and has a no tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol on the job. This policy applies to all employees and aims to create a safe and productive work environment.