Principal Applied AI/ML Scientist

Lululemon Athletica; Washington; On-site; USD 267,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus program

Equity offerings

Extended health and dental benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan matching

Development course offerings

Mentorship programs

Job summary

Lululemon Athletica is seeking a Principal Applied AI/ML Scientist to shape enterprise AI/ML strategy and lead cross‑domain initiatives that unlock measurable business value. You will mentor senior technical leaders, define scalable AI/ML solutions, and translate cutting‑edge research into production capabilities across the organization, partnering with executives to deliver impact at scale.

The role requires deep expertise in generative AI, NLP, computer vision, and multimodal learning, with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent experience; PhD preferred
• 11–15 years of AI/ML research experience in industry or equivalent academic experience
• Demonstrated ability to define enterprise‑level AI/ML solutions for previously unsolved problems, and influence executive decision‑making on technology direction and investment
• Proven track record of architecting and delivering large‑scale , complex AI/ML systems across multiple domains with significant organizational impact
• Deep expertise in advanced AI/ML approaches, including generative AI, NLP, computer vision, multimodal learning, or time‑series modeling, and ability to translate research into production systems
• Strong experience partnering with senior business and technology leaders to align AI initiatives with strategic goals and measurable outcomes
• Expert‑level experience with modern ML tools and ecosystems (e.g., Python, PyTorch , cloud ML platforms, distributed training/inference systems, and scalable data pipelines)
• Strong understanding of production AI systems, evaluation frameworks, and responsible AI considerations

Responsibilities

• Define enterprise AI/ML strategy and solution vision for key use-cases, aligning investments to business priorities and shaping AI as a core organizational capability and competitive differentiator
• Lead research and design of AI/ML approaches for highly complex business problems
• Advance AI/ML methodologies and solution frameworks that accelerate time‑to‑value, improve scalability and re-use, and enable repeatable success across teams
• Drive innovation by extending state‑of‑the‑art techniques, conducting original research, and inventing novel approaches that extend organizational capability
• Influence and mentor senior technical leaders, elevating organizational capability in applied AI/ML and fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation
• Partner with executive stakeholders to identify high‑impact opportunities, define success metrics, and ensure AI/ML investments deliver measurable business value and ROI
• Establish enterprise experimentation and validation standards that connect model performance to business outcomes and strategic decision‑making

Skills

Generative AI

NLP

Computer vision

Multimodal learning

Time-series modeling

Python

PyTorch

Cloud ML platforms

Distributed training/inference

Data pipelines

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, engineering, or related technical field

PhD preferred

Tools

Python

PyTorch

Cloud ML platforms

Distributed training

Data pipelines

Job description

Business Unit: Store Support Centre (SSC)

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 & AIorganizationis a strategic and operational driver of growth for lululemon, owning and building the data and AI platforms andservicesthat enable the enterprise tooperatewith intelligence at scale. The team leads the design and delivery of a trusted unified data foundation,AI-drivendataanalyticsand insights, and AI solutions across lululemon’s vertically integrated retail ecosystem,whileembedding 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.

Core responsibilities

As a Principal Applied AI/ML Scientist, you define and drive the solutions for enterprise ‑ level AI/ML use-cases, influencing multiple solutions across one or more business domains. You create business impact by extending the state of the art to invent new AI solutions. You operate as a top technical authority and thought leader, shaping how AI/ML becomes a durable competitive advantage across business lines. You lead the most complex, cross ‑ domain initiatives, establish retail industry ‑ leading methodologies, and influence long ‑ term solution approaches across the AI portfolio. You guide senior leaders on where and how to apply AI, ensuring solutions deliver sustained, measurable impact at scale.

Examples of work include:

• Designing and inventing AI solutions across domains such as product design and innovation, planning and forecasting, agentic personalization and search, and multimodal content generation and enrichment
• Defining next ‑ generation models and architectures for generative AI, multimodal systems, and large ‑ scaleML-based optimization, leading to production
• Translating emerging AI research (e.g., LLMs, multimodal learning, foundation models) into enterprise ‑ ready capabilities with measurable business outcomes
• Acting as a strategic advisor to executives on AI opportunities, risks, trade ‑ offs, and long ‑ term capability building

Select Responsibilities include:

• Define enterprise AI/ML strategy and solution vision for key use-cases, aligning investments to business priorities and shaping AI as a core organizational capability and competitive differentiator
• Lead research and design of AI/ML approaches for highly complex business problems
• Advance AI/ML methodologies and solution frameworks that accelerate time ‑ to ‑ value, improve scalability and re-use, and enable repeatable success across teams
• Drive innovation by extending state ‑ of ‑ the ‑ art techniques, conducting original research, and inventing novel approaches that extend organizational capability
• Influence and mentor senior technical leaders, elevating organizational capability in applied AI/ML and fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation
• Partner with executive stakeholders to identify high ‑ impact opportunities, define success metrics, and ensure AI/ML investments deliver measurable business value and ROI
• Establish enterprise experimentation and validation standards that connect model performance to business outcomes and strategic decision ‑ making

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent experience; PhD preferred
• 11–15 years of AI/ML research experience in industry or equivalent academic experience
• Demonstrated ability to define enterprise ‑ level AI/ML solutions for previously unsolved problems, and influence executive decision ‑ making on technology direction and investment
• Proven track record of architecting and delivering large ‑ scale , complex AI/ML systems across multiple domains with significant organizational impact
• Deep expertise in advanced AI/ML approaches, including areas such as generative AI, NLP, computer vision, multimodal learning, or time ‑ series modeling, and ability to translate research into production systems
• Strong experience partnering with senior business and technology leaders to align AI initiatives with strategic goals and measurable outcomes
• Expert ‑ level experience with modern ML tools and ecosystems (e.g., Python, PyTorch , cloud ML platforms, distributed training/inference systems, and scalable data pipelines)
• Strong understanding of production AI systems, evaluation frameworks, and responsible AI considerations

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

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$266,720 - $350,070 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
• Parenthood top-uplient>n
• 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.

Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest. Lululemon is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state or provincial and local laws and ordinances. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request. This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all practices relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, discipline, transfer, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. While management is primarily responsible for seeing that Lululemon equal employment opportunity policies are implemented, you share in the responsibility for assuring that, by your personal actions, the policies are effective.

lululemon is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you would like someone from our team to contact you for individualized support, email us [e-mail] . In your email, please include the position title, the location of the position and the nature of your request.

The use of AI tools, including but not limited to ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, DeepSeek, or any other AI-assisted software, is strictly prohibited during the interview process. This includes, AI-generated responses, content creation, or any form of automated assistance in live interviews, case studies, technical assessments, or written submissions.

At lululemon, we are committed to privacy, integrity, transparency, and ethical hiring practices. Our commitment to responsible AI ensures that proprietary information is protected and that all hiring decisions are based on an individual’s own skills, judgment, and expertise without AI assistance. Any use of AI during the interview process will result in immediate disqualification. lululemon reserves the right to use AI detection tools to verify the authenticity of candidate responses.