lululemon Senior Technology Director, Applied Research Science, AI/ML

lululemon; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 300,000 - 394,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health and dental benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan matching

Generous employee discount

Fitness & yoga classes

Parenthood top-up

Development courses

People networks, mentorship programs, 

Leadership series

Job summary

lululemon is seeking a Senior Director, AI/ML Research and Science in Seattle to advance the company’s AI capabilities. You will lead a lean team focused on cutting-edge AI models, balancing exploratory research with practical deployment to drive measurable business impact.

You will partner with product, technology, and business teams to translate research into scalable solutions and set the enterprise AI research roadmap for the organization.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in AI/ML
• Proven experience leading technical research teams
• 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

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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
• Provide expert guidance that shapes the broader AI/ML research strategy
• Act as a thought leader across the organization in AI innovation
• Collaborate closely with AI Platform and Data teams to productionize solutions
• Balance experimentation with scalable, practical implementation
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of AI/ML researchers
• Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning

Skills

AI/ML leadership

Research excellence

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Education

PhD in Computer Science or related field

Job description

Who we are

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.

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 aspect.

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.

Select responsibilities include:

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.

Please note: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visa at this time for this role.

compensation and benefits package

lululemon’s compensation offerings are grounded in a pay-for-performance philosophy that recognizes exceptional individual and teamperformance. Thetypical 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.

At lululemon, investing in our people is a top priority. We believe that when life works, work works. We strive to be the place where inclusive leaders come to develop and enable all to be well. Recognizing our teams for their performance and dedication, other components of our total rewards offerings include support of career development, wellbeing, and personal growth:

• Extended health and dental benefits, and mental health plans
• Paid time off
• Savings and retirement plan matching
• Generous employee discount
• Fitness & yoga classes
• Parenthood top-up
• Extensive catalog of development course offerings
• People networks, mentorship programs, and leadership series (to name a few)

Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

workplace arrangement

In-person collaboration and connection is important to our culture. Work is performed onsite, minimum 4 days per week.