Operations Research Specialist - Critical Industries

McKinsey & Company; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

McKinsey & Company is hiring for roles accelerating AI adoption and advanced analytics. Based in Atlanta, Boston, or New York, you will join multidisciplinary teams delivering end-to-end AI and optimization solutions for clients across industries.

The role emphasizes operations research, data science, and scalable enterprise platforms, with opportunities to present results to client leadership and collaborate globally.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required (role staffed on Critical Industries work).
• Bachelor's, master's or PhD in a technical field (CS, ML, statistics, math, engineering or AI).
• 5+ years of deep technical experience in operations research/optimization or related data science work.
• Programming experience in Python, C++, Java.
• Proven application of operations research methods in the commercial world.
• Knowledge of software development tools (testing, VCS, CI/CD).
• Understanding of supply chain concepts (planning, scheduling, network design, logistics).
• Experience in NLP or generative AI is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Work in multidisciplinary teams to build AI/ML products and platforms.
• Develop frameworks and libraries (including Kedro) for data/AI practitioners.
• Apply operations research methods to client supply chain challenges end-to-end.
• Engage in diagnostics through multi-month digital implementations and client leadership presentations.
• Collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and designers to scale analytics solutions.
• Grow expertise at the intersection of technology and business.

Skills

U.S. Citizenship

Computer science, ML, math

5+ years ops research

Python

C++

Java

NLP / generative AI

Travel willingness

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in CS/ML/Applied stats/Engineering/AI

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Kedro

Databricks

PySpark

SQL

Job description

• Atlanta
• Boston
• New York City

Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges? You've come to the right place.

YOUR IMPACT

You will work in a multidisciplinary team of software engineers, product managers, data scientists, data engineers, and designers to create innovative products and technologies that accelerate and scale AI and machine learning.

You'll contribute across product teams working on agentic AI systems, digital twins, and advanced analytics platforms, building frameworks and libraries - including open-source projects such as Kedro and ARK - that enable data and AI practitioners to work effectively on large-scale, complex projects.

You will apply operations research methods and innovative approaches to tackle client challenges in end-to-end supply chain planning - from S&OP, production planning, and scheduling to network design and logistics optimization. The increasing complexity of integrated tactical and operational systems, combined with an explosion of data, makes these topics both top-of-mind and deeply challenging for many clients. You will enhance analytics tools to customize solutions to precise client situations, develop insights, and implement recommendations that produce tangible and lasting impact on operational performance. Your engagements will range from quick diagnostics to multi-month digital implementations, with the opportunity to present results directly to client leadership and collaborate with client teams on implementation.

Your work will help solve some of the most complex and high-impact challenges facing clients across industries. You'll help develop innovative AI and analytics capabilities and scalable enterprise solutions that directly support clients in accelerating AI adoption and solving complex business problems at scale.

You’ll be based in Atlanta, Boston, or New York and collaborate closely with data scientists, data engineers, machine learning engineers, designers, and product managers around the world. Together, you’ll work on interdisciplinary projects to solve complex business challenges across a range of industries. You should expect this role to include at least some work in critical industries (Defense, Aerospace, Utilities, Oil and Gas), but you will have the ability to serve other industries as well.

Your work offers a unique opportunity to grow at the forefront of AI and advanced analytics. You’ll develop expertise at the intersection of technology and business by tackling diverse challenges in the evolving AI landscape. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams, you’ll gain a holistic understanding of how operations research and optimization enable advanced AI while collaborating with some of the leading technologists and AI practitioners in the industry.

YOUR GROWTH

Driving lasting impact and building long-term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high performance/high reward culture - doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we’ll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues-at all levels-will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you’ll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else.

When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast-paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
• Global community: With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm’s diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• World-class benefits: On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well-being for you and your family.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• U.S. Citizenship is required (this role must be able to be staffed on Critical Industries work which includes Defense, Aerospace, Utilities, etc.)
• Bachelor's, master's or PhD level in a discipline such as: computer science, machine learning, applied statistics, mathematics, engineering or artificial intelligence
• 5+ years of deep technical experience in operations research/optimization or related data science work
• Programming experience in languages such as: Python, C++, Java
• Proven application of operations research methods in the commercial world
• Knowledge of standard software development tools and best practices (testing, version control, CI/CD, etc.)
• Understanding of supply chain concepts such as supply chain strategy, production planning, scheduling, network design, inventory, and logistics
• Previous experience in NLP or generative AI, including model development or application design and deployment, is highly desirable.
• While we advocate for using the right tech for the right task, we often leverage the following technologies: Python, PySpark, the PyData stack, SQL, Airflow, Databricks, our own open-source data pipelining framework called Kedro, Dask/RAPIDS, container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes, cloud solutions such as AWS, GCP, and Azure, and more
• Willingness to travel
• Good presentation and communication skills, with a knack for explaining complex analytical concepts to people from other fields

Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues.

Our
unwavering commitment to integrity drives everything we do, guiding us to always act in the best interests of our clients, our people, and the communities we serve.

FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Certain US jurisdictions require McKinsey & Company to include a reasonable estimate of the salary for this role.
To help you understand what you can expect, the salary range for new joiners in this role in United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, is $175,500 - $180,000 USD gross per year. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest
[salary/hourly wages] for this role at the time of this posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start, though it's important
to remember that actual salaries may vary. Factors like your office location, your unique blend of experience and skills, start date and our current
organizational needs all play a part in determining the final figure. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion
and based on factors such as individual and/or organizational performance.

Additionally, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to the wellness of our colleagues and their families.
This includes medical, mental health, dental and vision coverage, telemedicine services, life, accident and disability insurance, parental leave and family planning benefits, caregiving resources, a generous retirement contributions program, financial guidance,
and paid time off.

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.