(USA) Senior, Data Scientist - Applied AI

Walmart; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 234,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Health benefits

401(k) and stock purchase

Education benefits (Live Better U)

Paid time off

Job summary

Walmart seeks a Senior Data Scientist on the Applied AI team to own the design and delivery of AI systems transforming HR workflows. You will work close with business stakeholders, translate problems into prototypes, and scale them into production systems used across the organization.

You will write code, define evaluations, and guide architecture decisions for scalable AI capabilities. The role emphasizes end-to-end AI product development, strong collaboration with HR, and ensuring responsible

Qualifications

• Experience building and deploying AI systems in production.
• Experience with LLM applications or agentic workflows.
• Strong Python and modern AI tooling knowledge.
• Experience with data engineering, SQL, and production infrastructure.
• Ability to translate ambiguous business problems into shipped AI solutions.

Responsibilities

• Partner with HR stakeholders to identify high-leverage workflows for AI transformation.
• Design, build, and ship production AI systems including agentic workflows and LLM applications.
• Build evaluation frameworks to measure performance against business outcomes.
• Translate problems into prototypes and iterate to production solutions.
• Write production-grade code and collaborate on AI engineering best practices.
• Mentor team members on AI engineering and system design.
• Ensure responsible AI practices, data governance, and security across lifecycle.

Skills

Python

AI systems production

LLM applications

Agentic workflows

Software engineering

Evaluation methods

Data engineering

SQL

Communication

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

Job description

Position Summary

As a Senior Data Scientist on the Applied AI team, you will own the technical design and delivery of AI systems that transform how HR work gets done. You will sit close to business stakeholders, translate ambiguous problems into working prototypes, and carry those prototypes through to production systems used at scale. You will write the code, design the evaluations, and make the architecture decisions that determine whether an AI capability holds up in the real world. The role suits those who want to build AI products end-to-end, and who are energized by direct contact with the business.

About the team

The Applied AI team collaborates closely with HR business leaders to transform workflows by developing advanced AI capabilities. Embedded with stakeholders, the team identifies key challenges, prototypes innovative solutions, and delivers scalable production systems. Their expertise spans agentic systems, large language model applications, evaluation frameworks, and engineering to transition AI from concept to lasting products. Combining strong data science, engineering skills, and AI knowledge, the team builds business-owned capabilities that drive measurable impact across millions of associates worldwide, supporting strategic transformation and operational excellence.

What you’ll do

• Partner directly with HR business stakeholders to identify the highest-leverage workflows for AI transformation.
• Design, build, and ship production AI systems including agentic workflows, LLM applications, and supporting infrastructure.
• Build evaluation frameworks that measure model and system performance against real business outcomes.
• Translate ambiguous business problems into prototypes quickly, then iterate to durable production solutions.
• Write production-grade code and collaborate on engineering practices that take AI from prototype to scaled deployment.
• Mentor team members on AI engineering, system design, and applied research methods.
• Ensure responsible AI practices, data governance, and security standards across the project lifecycle.

What you’ll bring

• Extensive experience building and deploying AI systems in production, including LLM applications or agentic workflows.
• Strong software engineering fundamentals with proficiency in Python and modern AI tooling and frameworks.
• Hands-on experience with evaluation methods for AI systems, including offline and online testing approaches.
• Working knowledge of data engineering, database technologies including SQL, and the infrastructure that supports production AI.
• Ability to translate ambiguous business problems into shipped solutions in close partnership with non-technical stakeholders.
• Track record of moving fast from prototype to production while maintaining quality and reliability.
• Effective communication skills to align technical work with business priorities.

Benefits

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.

Salary

Sunnyvale, California US-11789: The annual salary range for this position is $117,000.00 - $234,000.00

Bentonville, Arkansas US-30011: The annual salary range for this position is $90,000.00 - $180,000.00 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- Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field and 3 years' experience in an analytics related field. Option 2- Master’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field and 1 years' experience in an analytics related field. Option 3 - 5 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, Master’s degree in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Information Technology, Operations Research, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Econometrics, 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

809 11th Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-4731, United States of America

Walmart 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.