Principal, Machine Learning Engineer

DataJobs; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 203,000 - 338,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Performance-based bonus awards

Medical, vision and dental coverage

401(k)

Stock purchase

Company-paid life insurance

PTO (including sick leave)

Parental leave

Family care leave

Jury duty

Job summary

Walmart's International Recommendations Platform team seeks a leader to design and build scalable, production-grade ML systems powering customer experiences across sites.

You will own the end-to-end ML lifecycle, mentor engineers, and collaborate across teams to drive architecture, deployment, and responsible AI practices in an onsite Sunnyvale, CA environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience designing and architecting scalable, production-grade ML systems aligned with business objectives.
• Proficiency with ML frameworks: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn; programming languages including Python, Java, and SQL
• End-to-end ML lifecycle management: data sourcing, feature engineering, model training, deployment, and monitoring
• Strong background in advanced modeling techniques: deep learning, NLP, reinforcement learning, and time series analysis
• Proven ability to lead technical strategy, mentor engineers, and partner effectively across teams
• Skilled in ML model validation, hyperparameter optimization, and MLOps best practices
• Strong critical thinking and technical writing capabilities to communicate complex concepts clearly

Responsibilities

• Architect and guide development of scalable, production-grade ML systems integrated into customer-facing and operational products
• Own end-to-end ML lifecycle execution: data sourcing, feature engineering, model training, deployment, and monitoring
• Drive applied ML innovation using advanced modeling techniques including deep learning, NLP, reinforcement learning, and multimodal approaches
• Mentor engineering teams, influence architectural decisions, and promote technical excellence across ML disciplines
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align ML solutions with platform strategies and ensure integration with downstream applications
• Establish standards for model evaluation, fairness, and responsible AI compliance
• Publish technical insights and contribute to Walmart’s engineering knowledge base

Skills

End-to-end ML lifecycle

NLP

Reinforcement learning

Time series analysis

Mentoring engineers

Cross-team collaboration

ML model validation

Hyperparameter optimization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/CE/IS/SE or related

5+ years software/ML experience

2 years supervisory experience

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit-learn

Python

Java

SQL

Job description

Lead the design and development of scalable, production-grade machine learning systems to solve complex business problems.

Responsibilities

• Architect and guide development of scalable, production-grade ML systems integrated into customer-facing and operational products
• Own end-to-end ML lifecycle execution: data sourcing, feature engineering, model training, deployment, and monitoring
• Drive applied ML innovation using advanced modeling techniques including deep learning, NLP, reinforcement learning, and multimodal approaches
• Mentor engineering teams, influence architectural decisions, and promote technical excellence across ML disciplines
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align ML solutions with platform strategies and ensure integration with downstream applications
• Establish standards for model evaluation, fairness, and responsible AI compliance
• Publish technical insights and contribute to Walmart’s engineering knowledge base

Requirements

• Extensive experience designing and architecting scalable, production-grade ML systems aligned with business objectives
• Proficiency with ML frameworks: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn; programming languages including Python, Java, and SQL
• Expertise in end-to-end ML lifecycle management: data sourcing, feature engineering, model training, deployment, and monitoring
• Strong background in advanced modeling techniques: deep learning, NLP, reinforcement learning, and time series analysis
• Proven ability to lead technical strategy, mentor engineers, and partner effectively across teams
• Skilled in ML model validation, hyperparameter optimization, and MLOps best practices
• Strong critical thinking and technical writing capabilities to communicate complex concepts clearly

Minimum Qualifications

• Option 1: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 5 years’ experience in software engineering, machine learning engineering, AI systems, or related area
• Option 2: 7 years’ experience in software engineering, machine learning engineering, AI systems, or related area
• 2 years’ supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 3 years’ experience in software engineering, machine learning engineering, AI systems, or related area
• Experience applying accessibility best practices
• Experience creating inclusive digital experiences, including knowledge of implementing WCAG 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility

Team

• International Recommendations Platform team builds a multi-tenant framework delivering personalized experiences across Walmart International sites
• Pioneers innovation in Machine Learning and AI to improve customer engagement and business outcomes
• Uses cloud-native architecture and software design patterns to deliver scalable, resilient solutions
• Emphasizes collaboration across API design, system reviews, and data-driven decisions
• Focuses on continuous improvement via DevOps engineering and software prototyping for accelerated delivery and high-quality standards

Technologies

• TensorFlow
• PyTorch
• Scikit-learn
• Python
• Java
• SQL

Location

815 Eleventh Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-4731, United States of America (onsite)

Compensation

USD 169,000 - 338,000 per yearly

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Performance-based bonus awards
• Medical, vision and dental coverage
• 401(k)
• Stock purchase
• Company-paid life insurance
• PTO (including sick leave)
• Parental leave
• Family care leave
• Bereavement
• Jury duty
• Voting
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Company discounts
• Military Leave Pay
• Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement
• Live Better U (Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates)