Sr Applied Data Scientist - Personalization (applied ML, PyTorch, RecSys)

Target; Brooklyn Park (MN); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

Target is hiring a Sr Data Scientist for Recommendations (RecSys) in Minnesota. You will develop and optimize AI-driven recommendation products, collaborating with data scientists, ML engineers and product managers to deliver scalable solutions.

The role requires advanced ML expertise, strong Python/SQL skills, and experience with PyTorch/JAX, Spark, and large-scale data. Hybrid work with on-site at Target HQ MN when needed, and cross-functional collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in CS, ML, statistics, OR or related field.
• 3+ years of ML model development using deep learning frameworks (PyTorch or JAX).
• Experience building recommender, personalization, search, ranking or retrieval systems at scale.
• Strong Python and SQL programming skills.
• Experience with offline/online evaluation and experimental design.
• Familiarity with Spark and large-scale data processing.
• Experience leveraging generative AI tools to accelerate development.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and augment AI-driven RecSys products.
• Perform data exploration and model experimentation.
• Push solutions to production and monitor performance.
• Collaborate with data scientists, ML engineers, and product managers.
• Document work and present results to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Python

SQL

PyTorch/JAX

Recommender systems

Data analysis

Spark

Education

MS/PhD in CS/ML/ST/OR or related

Tools

Spark

Job description

The pay range is $98,000.00 - $176,000.00

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and in some instances may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves.Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation.Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.

JOIN TARGET AS A SR DATA SCIENTIST – RECOMMENDATIONS (RecSys)

About Us

Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture. Learn more about Target here.

A role withTargetData Sciencesmeans the chance to help develop and managestate of the art predictivealgorithmsthatuse data at scale to automateand optimize decisions at scale. Whether you join our Applied Data Sciences or Machine Learning teams, you’ll be challenged to harness Target’s impressive data breadth to build the algorithmsthat power solutions our partners in Digital Marketing, Supply Chain Optimization, Advanced AI, Search and Personalization/RecSys rely on.

As aSr Data Scientist, you’ll work on the Target Data Science Recommendations team collaborating with data scientists, machine learning engineers and product managers to build and augment our AI-driven digital Recommendation products. Through your understanding of deep learning, machine learning, linear algebra, probability theory, statistics, and optimization you’ll perform data exploration and analysis, implement algorithmic solutions given specifications, push solutions to our production environment, and analyze performance and trade-offs. We will expect you to understand Agile principles, follow best-practice software design, participate in code reviews, create a maintainable and well-tested codebase with relevant documentation. On the business side, you’ll document and present work to technical and non-technical peers, build knowledge on business priorities and strategic goals and leverage this knowledge while building requirements and solutions for each business need.

Core responsibilities of this job are articulated within this job description. Job duties may change at any time due to business needs.

About You

• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research or relevant work experience
• 3 plus years of experience developing machine learning models using deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or JAX
• Experience building recommendation, personalization, search, ranking or retrieval systems at scale
• Strong programming skills in Python and SQL
• Demonstrated experience with optimization, statistics, probability and experimental design
• Experience evaluating models through offline analysis on large-scale datasets and online experimentation, including statistical analysis and interpretation of results
• Knowledge of large-scale data processing and analytics platforms such as Spark
• Extensive experience leveraging generative AI tools to accelerate development, experimentation and model delivery
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts and results to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated ability to translate business problems into scalable data science solutions
• Self-driven, results-oriented and able to meet tight deadlines
• Motivated team player who thrives in a collaborative - global environment

This position will operate as a Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement based on Target’s needs. A Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement means the team member’s core role will need to be performed both onsite at the Target HQ MN location the role is assigned to and virtually, depending upon what your role, team and tasks require for that day. Work duties cannot be performed outside of the country of the primary work location, unless otherwise prescribed by Target.

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to [e-mail]. Non-accommodation-related requests, such as application follow-ups or technical issues, will not be addressed through this channel.

Application deadline is : 11/26/2026