(USA) Principal, Data Scientist

Walmart; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 286,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Walmart is seeking a Principal Data Scientist in Sunnyvale, CA to lead advanced data science initiatives and deploy machine learning models that address complex business challenges. You will mentor teammates, collaborate across functions, and ensure scalable, measurable impact across marketing channels and product experiences.

The role emphasizes rigorous experimentation, model validation, and clear communication of findings to influence strategic decisions across multiple domains.

Qualifications

• Requires 5+ years in analytics, ML, or related field.
• Bachelor's or higher in a relevant field.
• Experience in marketing science or ecommerce preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and deployment of advanced AI, ML, and statistical solutions for marketing science and personalization.
• Define scalable data science strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Design rigorous experiments, causal measurement frameworks, and incrementality analyses.
• Architect experimentation platforms supporting audience assignment, metrics, analysis, and reporting.
• Build predictive and personalization models to improve customer engagement and marketing performance.
• Analyze large datasets to identify insights and high-impact opportunities.
• Establish reusable modeling frameworks, feature pipelines, and model lifecycle standards.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders and mentor data scientists on methodology, coding, experimentation, and communication best practices.

Skills

ML & AI

Python

SQL

MLOps

Experimentation

Cloud platforms

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field

Master's degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field

Tools

Spark

Scala

R

TensorFlow

scikit-learn

Job description

Position Summary...

What you'll do...

Role summary:
ThePrincipalDataScientistwillleadadvanceddatascienceinitiativesbydevelopinganddeployinginnovativemachinelearningmodelsanddata-drivensolutionsthataddresscomplexbusinesschallenges.Thisrolerequiresexpertiseinstatisticalanalysis,coding,experimentationanddatastrategytotranslatebusinessneedsintoactionableinsights.Thepositioninvolvesmentoringteammembers,collaboratingcross-functionally,andensuringthescalabilityandsustainabilityofmodels.Thesuccessfulcandidatewilldrivemeasurablebusinessimpactthroughrigorousexperimentation,modelvalidation,andeffectivecommunicationoffindingstoinfluencestrategicdecisionsacrossmultipledomains.
About the team:
Join the personalization marketing data science team at Walmart, collaborating with engineering, business, and product teams across digital marketing channels such as SEM, SEO, CRM, Display, and Paid Social. The team develops scalable, data-driven solutions to optimize marketing effectiveness and generate high-quality demand efficiently. Members analyze extensive omni-channel commerce data to build models and algorithms supporting business growth. Working alongside skilled data scientists, engineers, marketers, and product managers, the team creates advanced marketing science platforms that enhance strategies and deliver actionable insights across the organization.
What you'll do:

• LeadthedevelopmentanddeploymentofadvancedAI,machinelearning,andstatisticalsolutionsformarketingscienceandpersonalization.
• Definescalabledatasciencestrategiesalignedwithbusinessobjectives.
• Designrigorousexperiments,causalmeasurementframeworks,andincrementalityanalyses.
• Architectexperimentationplatformssupportingaudienceassignment,metrics,analysis,andreporting.
• Buildpredictiveandpersonalizationmodelstoimprovecustomerengagementandmarketingperformance.
• Analyzelargedatasetstoidentifyinsightsandhigh-impactopportunities.
• Establishreusablemodelingframeworks,featurepipelines,andmodellifecyclestandards.
• Partnerwithcross-functionalstakeholdersandmentordatascientistsonmethodology,coding,experimentation,andcommunicationbestpractices.

What you'll bring:

• 5+yearexperienceinmachinelearning,deeplearning,andadvancedstatisticalanalysistodevelopanddeploypredictivemodels,preferablyinmarketingscienceorecommerce
• ProficiencyinprogramminglanguagesincludingPythonandSQLforcodedevelopment,testing,andautomation.
• StrongknowledgeofMLOpspracticestoensuremodellifecyclemanagementandscalabilityinproductionenvironments.
• Expertiseindataqualityassessment,featureengineering,andexperimentationtodrivedata-drivensolutions.
• Abilitytotranslatecomplexbusinessproblemsintoanalyticalmodelsandactionableinsights.
• Experiencewithcloudplatformsformodeldeploymentandmanagement.
• Provenleadershipskillstomentorteamsandguidetechnicalproblemformulationandsolutiondelivery.

At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable. For information about PTO, see https://one.walmart.com/notices . Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms.
For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart .
Sunnyvale, California US-11657: The annual salary range for this position is $143,000.00 - $286,000.00
Bentonville, Arkansas US-09158: The annual salary range for this position is $110,000.00 - $220,000.00 Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include :

• Stock

Minimum Qualifications...

Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications.

Option 1: Bachelors degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 5 years' experience in an analytics related field. Option 2: Masters degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 3 years' experience in an analytics related field. Option 3: 7 years' experience in an analytics or related field

Preferred Qualifications...

Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications.

Data science, machine learning, optimization models, PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Information Technology, Operations Research, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Econometrics, Publications or active peer reviewer in related journals or conference, Successful completion of one or more assessments in Python, Spark, Scala, or R, Using open source frameworks (for example, scikit learn, tensorflow, torch), We value candidates with a background in creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly. The ideal candidate would have knowledge of accessibility best practices and join us as we continue to create accessible products and services following Walmart’s accessibility standards and guidelines for supporting an inclusive culture.

Primary Location...

1345 Crossman Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1114, United States of AmericaWalmart and its subsidiaries are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and has a no tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol on the job. This policy applies to all employees and aims to create a safe and productive work environment.

Walmart is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and has a no tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol on the job. This policy applies to all employees and aims to create a safe and productive work environment.

Benefits you’ll enjoy

Discount Card

Get 10% off

Walmart associates are eligible for a 10% discount card on most regular-priced items and fresh produce in-store and on select items at Walmart.com. Eligible after 90 days of employment.

Live Better U

100% covered

Earn a degree or in-demand skills certificates with no debt- Walmart covers 100% of tuition and books. Live Better U offers 60+ programs for Associates to pursue their dreams.

Ready to grow your career? Walmart Academy offers job-specific retail training and leadership courses to help Associates reach their career goals.

Enjoy 401(k) matching and stock purchase plans.

Paid time off

Take a break as needed for vacation, sick leave, holidays, parental leave, and more

Medical, dental, vision, and wellness programs for you and your family

Access mental health resources and assistance programs for life’s challenges

Training, leadership programs, and clear paths to advance.

Imagine a workplace surrounded by innovation.At Walmart’s new Home Office in Bentonville, Arkansas, we’re redefining what it means to work at a global leader.

Set on 350 acres of thoughtfully revitalized land, our new campus seamlessly integrates the charm of Northwest Arkansas with cutting edge design and technology. From biking trails and outdoor courtyards to flexible, tech-enabled workspaces, every detail reflects our commitment to sustainability, connection, and culture.

With amenities like on-site childcare at our Little Squiggles Children’s Enrichment Center, the Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness Center, and a vibrant food hall featuring local and international favorites, we’re creating a space where work-life balance isn’t just a goal—it’s a reality.

Beyond the campus, Bentonville offers a dynamic lifestyle with world-class dining, art at the Crystal Bridges Museum, and countless outdoor activities.

Whether you’re exploring High South cuisine, enjoying live performances at our new amphitheater, or cycling the Razorback Greenway, you’ll experience the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities.

Join us at Walmart and grow your career alongside a community that feels like home.

This isn’t just a workplace—it’s a destination for leaders eager to make a difference.