lululemon Senior Technology Director, AI/ML Applied Science

lululemon

Seattle (WA)

On-site

USD 300,340 - 394,190

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Extended health and dental benefits

Paid time off

Savings and retirement plan matching

Generous employee discount

Fitness & yoga classes

Extensive development course offerings

Job summary

lululemon is seeking a Senior Director for AI/ML Research and Science to innovate and advance AI capabilities within the company. This leadership position requires at least 10 years of experience in AI/ML research and innovation, with a focus on solving complex business problems through applied AI solutions.

The ideal candidate will lead a specialized team of AI research scientists, translating business needs into scalable AI-driven algorithms while fostering an inclusive and innovative culture. Joining lululemon means engaging in meaningful work that positively impacts the community and drives enterprise efficiency.

Qualifications

10+ years of experience in AI/ML, emphasizing research and innovation.
Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in relevant fields with a strong publication record.
Experience leading technical research teams in industry or academia.

Responsibilities

Accountable for advancing AI capabilities through research and development.
Lead a specialized team of AI research scientists.
Translate business needs into novel AI solutions.

Skills

AI/ML Research

Technical Leadership

Collaboration with cross-functional teams

Innovation

Deep learning

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Generative AI

Education

PhD in Computer Science or related field

Job description

Description & Requirements

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth‑focused environment for our people.

Who we are

About this team

The Enterprise Data & AI organization is a strategic and operational driver of growth for lululemon, owning and building the data and AI platforms and services that enable the enterprise to operate with intelligence at scale. The team leads the design and delivery of a trusted unified data foundation, AI‑driven data analytics and insights, and AI solutions across lululemon's vertically integrated retail ecosystem, while embedding strong data governance and responsible AI practices from the very beginning. By applying AI to critical business challenges and creating new, transformative AI solutions, the team helps reshape how lululemon operates. Through deep partnership with product, technology, and business teams, Enterprise Data & AI accelerates product innovation, unlocks measurable value, elevates guest and educator experiences, and drives enterprise efficiency.

The Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) Research team is specifically responsible for exploring, developing, and advancing cutting‑edge AI capabilities that will transform lululemon's future business growth. This team operates at the intersection of research and application-identifying emerging technologies, building new models, and translating complex business challenges into scalable AI‑driven algorithms.

Core responsibilities

As a Senior Director, AI/ML Research and Science, you are accountable for advancing lululemon's AI capabilities through the research, development, and delivery of innovative AI models and solutions that drive measurable business impact. This role requires innovation at the intersection of solving complex business problems and extending the state‑of‑the‑art to achieve high‑performing AI solutions that transform the business. Reporting to senior technology leadership, you will lead a lean, highly specialized team of AI research and applied scientists focused on pushing the boundaries of applied AI, balancing forward‑looking exploration (3‑5 years out) with near‑term business aspects. This role serves as a critical bridge between state‑of‑the‑art AI research and enterprise business problems, translating evolving business needs into novel solutions and shaping the enterprise AI research roadmap in partnership with business stakeholders.

AI Research & Innovation

Define and drive a forward‑looking AI research roadmap (3‑5‑year horizon) aligned to business priorities
Explore emerging technologies, methods, and models to unlock future capabilities
Lead the design, development, and optimization of complex AI/ML models

Business Problem Solving

Translate complex business challenges into AI‑driven solutions
Partner with cross‑functional leaders to identify high‑impact use cases
Ensure research outputs are aligned with tangible business outcomes

Strategy & Influence

Provide expert guidance that shapes the broader AI/ML research strategy
Act as a thought leader across the organization in AI innovation
Contribute to establishing lululemon's AI capabilities as a competitive advantage

Partnership & Delivery

Collaborate closely with AI Platform and Data teams to productionize solutions
Ensure research innovations can be effectively integrated into business operations
Balance experimentation with scalable, practical implementation

Leadership & Team Development

Lead, mentor, and grow a high‑performing team of AI/ML research scientists
Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning
Build an inclusive, collaborative environment aligned with lululemon's values

Qualifications

10+ years of experience in AI/ML, with a strong emphasis on research and innovation
Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, AI, or related field with a strong publication record in peer‑reviewed conferences and journals
Proven experience leading technical research teams in industry or academia
Deep expertise in modern AI/ML techniques (e.g., deep learning, NLP, generative AI, optimization)
Track record of developing novel models, frameworks, or applied research solutions
Experience translating research into real‑world business applications
Strong collaboration experience with engineering and data platform teams

Must haves

Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility for your life.
Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovate to achieve great results.
Communicate with honesty and kindness and create the space for others to do the same.
Lead with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
Foster connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
Integrate fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn't take yourself too seriously.

Additional notes

Authorization to work in the U.S. is required for this role. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. This role cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

Compensation and benefits package

lululemon's compensation offerings are grounded in a pay‑for‑performance philosophy that recognizes exceptional individual and team performance. The typical hiring range for this position is from $300,340–394,190 annually; the base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards offering, permanent employees in this position may be eligible for our competitive annual bonus program and equity offerings, subject to program eligibility requirements.

Other components of our total rewards offerings include: