Lead Data Scientist, Proactive Conversational AI

OpenTalent; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Walmart is seeking a Distinguished Data Scientist for Agent-Led Engagement in Fremont, CA. You will lead technical vision and model development for proactive, personalized conversations across the conversational AI stack.

This IC role emphasizes hands-on development, collaboration with product and engineering, and delivering high-impact engagement strategies for millions of customers daily.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in data science, applied AI, or machine learning with focus on personalization or conversational AI.
• Demonstrated technical leadership in LLM-driven experiences or agentic applications.
• Strong expertise in hybrid modeling (LLM + structured ML) and dialogue state modeling.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement models for agent-led engagement, including topic suggestion and conversation continuation.
• Develop LLM-based and hybrid systems to detect high-value moments and select actions.
• Build real-time ranking and decision systems using history, signals, and conversational state.
• Define memory architectures for persistent customer profiles and evolving preferences.
• Collaborate with platform teams to integrate memory and decision modules into the stack.
• Partner with product, UX, and engineering to surface proactive suggestions in conversations.
• Contribute to experimentation and evaluation frameworks for engagement and conversion.
• Review system-level decisions for safety and brand alignment.
• Advise the Director of Agent-Led Engagement and senior leaders on technical strategy.

Skills

Experience

Leadership

Hybrid modeling

LLM

Personalization

Job description

Walmart is seeking a Distinguished Data Scientist for Agent-Led Engagement in Fremont, CA. You will lead technical vision and model development for proactive, personalized conversations across the conversational AI stack.

This IC role emphasizes hands-on development, collaboration with product and engineering, and delivering high-impact engagement strategies for millions of customers daily.