Principal, Data Scientist | Transportation AI | Sunnyvale Full-time

Position Summary…

What you’ll do…

Walmart Global Tech is seeking a talented and experienced Principal Data Scientist to lead the development and deployment of large-scale AI algorithms within our Transportation Applied AI team. As a Principal Scientist, you will play a critical role in driving end-to-end innovation, cost optimization, and data-driven automation for the entire Walmart’s transportation system using cutting-edge technologies like multi-agent systems, deep reinforcement learning, and machine learning.

About Team:

The Transportation Applied AI team is a highly motivated group of AI scientists and machine learning engineers dedicated to solving sophisticated and high-impact problems that power Walmart’s transportation network end-to-end from vendors to stores. We leverage advanced algorithms in operations research, deep reinforcement learning, economics (market design), and machine learning to tackle challenging problems like Inbound/Outbound routing, truck load optimization, freight pricing and matching, and workload dispatching.

What you’ll do:

• Lead a team of scientists across multiple products on the design, development, and deployment of AI agentic models using state-of-the-art algorithms
• Provide strategic leadership and technical expertise in transportation AI team. Define the vision, roadmap and priorities to enable end-to-end transportation cost optimality
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to deeply understand end-to-end transportation business objectives, requirements, and constraints. Work collaboratively to translate business needs into scientific solutions.
• Provide thought leadership and guidance on transportation science strategy, architecture and best implementation practice
• Mentor a group of talented scientists in the team and provide technical guidance.
• Conduct thorough code reviews to ensure engineering excellence.
• Communicate complex technical concepts and insights to non-technical stakeholders through presentations and reports.

What you’ll bring:

• Ph.D. degree in Statistics, Operations Research, Computer Science, Economics, Machine Learning, AI, or other quantitative fields with 6+ years of experience; or Master’s degree in the same domains with 9+ years of experience post-grad school.
• Publications at top-tier peer-reviewed conferences or journals in at least one of these areas: agentic AI, multi-agent systems, reinforcement learning, deep learning, and machine learning
• Deep knowledge in multi-agent systems, reinforcement learning, statistics, game theory, and machine learning.
• Hands-on development experience with the ability to write production code in object-oriented languages like Java, C++, or Python.
• Strong experience with mentorship and/or management of junior scientists and engineers.
• Proven track record of building and deploying algorithms/models in production in a real-world setting.
• Demonstrated ability to drive projects from conception to completion in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence and inspire cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of the latest innovations in machine learning and LLM is a plus
• Experience in forecasting, ranking algorithms, personalization, and experimentation is a plus.

About Walmart Global Tech:
Imagine working in an environment where one line of code can make life easier for hundreds of millions of people. That’s what we do at Walmart Global Tech. We’re a team of software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity expert’s and service professionals within the world’s leading retailer who make an epic impact and are at the forefront of the next retail disruption. People are why we innovate, and people power our innovations. We are people-led and tech-empowered. We train our team in the skillsets of the future and bring in experts like you to help us grow. We have roles for those chasing their first opportunity as well as those looking for the opportunity that will define their career. Here, you can kickstart a great career in tech, gain new skills and experience for virtually every industry, or leverage your expertise to innovate at scale, impact millions and reimagine the future of retail.

Flexible, Hybrid Work:
We use a hybrid way of working that is primarily in office coupled with virtual when not onsite. Our campuses serve as a hub to enhance collaboration, bring us together for purpose and deliver on business needs. This approach helps us make quicker decisions, remove location barriers across our global team and be more flexible in our personal lives.

Benefits:
Benefits: Beyond our great compensation package, you can receive incentive awards for your performance. Other great perks include 401(k) match, stock purchase plan, paid maternity and parental leave, PTO, multiple health plans, and much more.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Walmart, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer – By Choice. We believe we are best equipped to help our associates, customers and the communities we serve live better when we really know them. That means understanding, respecting and valuing diversity- unique styles, experiences, identities, ideas and opinions – while being inclusive of all people.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed in the role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The full Job Description can be made available as part of the hiring process.

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 $143,000.00-$286,000.00

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…

680 West California Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086-4834, United States of America