(USA) Principal, Data Scientist

Position Summary...

What you'll do...

Role summary:
As a Principal Science Manager within Retail Intelligence (RI), you will lead the next generation of data science and AI-driven solutions that power Walmart’s retail operations. This role sits at the intersection of data science, strategy, product, engineering, driving end-to-end development of advanced analytics, machine learning, and generative AI prototypes that translate complex business challenges into scalable technical solutions. You will architect and guide the development of horizontal AI capabilities, rapid prototypes, and intelligent agents that accelerate innovation across store operations, supply chain, and workforce domains to name a few. 
About the team:
Retail Intelligence (RI) is a multidisciplinary innovation team at Walmart dedicated to rapidly prototyping and deploying simulation, machine learning, and AI solutions that enhance retail decision-making at scale. The team collaborates closely with business stakeholders, product teams, and engineering to transform complex operational challenges into data-driven solutions with measurable impact. RI integrates science management, product thinking, and technical expertise to accelerate innovation from ideation to production. Its work spans digital twins, workforce optimization, supply chain intelligence, store operations, and emerging AI applications, enabling faster testing and scaling of innovative solutions aligned with Walmart’s long-term platform strategy.
What you'll do:

• Translate ambiguous business problems into structured product opportunities, technical architectures, and experimentation roadmaps.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across business, product, engineering, and data science teams to align priorities and accelerate solution delivery.
• Establish best practices for rapid prototyping, AI experimentation, and transitioning successful prototypes into scalable production solutions.
• Guide product and science teams in developing strong technical intuition around model design, analytics frameworks, and experimentation methods.
• Identify opportunities to leverage emerging technologies—including generative AI, digital twins, optimization, and simulation—to create strategic advantages for Walmart.
• Communicate complex technical concepts and solution trade-offs clearly to executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

What you'll bring:

•  Hands-on experience building prototypes, analytics workflows, or AI solutions using data science and AI toolchains
• Ability to bridge product strategy and architecture, translating business needs into scalable technical solutions
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives involving data science, engineering, and business stakeholders in large, complex organizations
• Strong systems thinking and architectural mindset to design reusable framework and scalable AI platforms.
• Ability to guide teams in experimentation, analytics , and evidence-based decision making.
• Experience with generative AI, LLM applications, agent frameworks
• Strong communication and influence skills, with ability to explain complex trade-offs and align stakeholders.
• Passion for mentoring technical teams and elevating organizational capability in applied AI and advanced analytics.

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.
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

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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...

802 Respect Dr, Bentonville, AR 72716, 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.