Data Scientist, Principal - AI Product Engineering

About the role

The AI & Machine Learning team partners across the enterprise to accelerate business outcomes by applying AI, machine learning, and generative AI to build intelligent products that create “intelligence at scale.” Reporting to the Director, AI & Machine Learning, the Principal Data Scientist will lead the development and deployment of novel applications leveraging generative AI models. This role focuses on rapidly developing new features and collaborating across teams to deliver solutions, translating cutting-edge AI research into real-world products and taking features from 0 to 1.

You will design, build, and ship production-grade AI products including LLM-powered applications, AI agents and copilots, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and search, and AI-enabled automation embedded in customer-facing applications and enterprise workflows such as claims, payment integrity, clinical insights, and member experience. You will set the technical direction for AI application across the organization.

Our leadership model emphasizes developing great leaders at all levels, creating growth opportunities personally, professionally, and financially. We seek leaders energized by creative and critical thinking, building high-performing teams, achieving results ethically, and fostering continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and deployment of novel applications leveraging generative AI models, setting the technical direction for AI and machine learning across the organization
• Design and develop scalable applications using generative AI models, including LLM applications, copilots, agents, and RAG and search, embedded in customer-facing products and enterprise workflows
• Rapidly prototype new features and iterate based on evaluation results
• Lead the architecture and development of new products and features from 0 to 1
• Collaborate with researchers and product managers to translate cutting-edge AI research into tangible product features
• Build APIs, services, and data and retrieval pipelines that expose AI capabilities to applications
• Optimize software performance and ensure the reliability of deployed applications
• Champion best practices for building and deploying generative AI applications
• Evaluate model performance, analyze results, and implement improvements, ensuring responsible and compliant AI
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, a quantitative discipline, or equivalent practical experience; Master’s degree or PhD preferred
• 10 years of prior relevant experience in data science, machine learning, applied AI/ML, software engineering, or advanced analytics
• Proven track record of building and shipping software products rapidly, not just developing models or analyses
• Strong software engineering skills and proficiency in Python, including building APIs and backend services
• Experience leading ML design and optimizing ML infrastructure, model deployment, evaluation, and data processing, and working with machine learning frameworks and libraries
• Hands-on experience with deep learning and LLM application frameworks, including PyTorch, TensorFlow, LangChain, and LangGraph
• Hands-on experience building applications leveraging generative AI models, including prompt engineering and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)
• Experience with generative AI research or applications preferred
• Experience designing agent-based systems and orchestration frameworks preferred
• Experience with cloud computing platforms and infrastructure (e.g., Azure, Google Cloud, or AWS), and scalable data processing with SQL or Spark preferred
• Solid MLOps and LLMOps practices, including CI/CD, monitoring, and model lifecycle management preferred
• Experience rapidly developing and shipping software in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment, adapting to changing priorities preferred
• Understanding of responsible AI and governance for regulated or healthcare environments preferred

About Us

Stellarus, launched in January 2025, scales innovative healthcare solutions to support customers in creating a healthcare experience deserving of their family, friends, and neighbors. Stellarus is part of the Ascendiun Family of Companies, overseen by nonprofit corporate entity Ascendiun, which also includes Blue Shield of California, its subsidiary Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, and Altais, a clinical services company.

Stellarus’ vision is to empower customers to create a healthcare experience worthy of their family, friends, and neighbors. Its objective is to offer innovative, modern, scalable solutions that challenge the healthcare status quo, closely aligning with Blue Shield of California’s vision of using innovation to improve quality, affordability, and experience for members.

To achieve this mission, Stellarus fosters an environment where all employees can thrive and contribute fully to address the needs of the communities served. The company is committed to creating and maintaining a supportive workplace that upholds its values and advances its goals.

Values

At Stellarus, core values of agility, trust, drive, courage, and service shape the approach to developing innovative product offerings.

Schedule

This role follows a hybrid workplace model, requiring in-office presence two days each week for most teams. Employees living more than 50 miles from an office location will work with their manager to determine in-office time based on business need. The company reserves the right to adjust in-office requirements based on business needs.

Pay

Pay range for California: $161,300.00 to $241,900.00

Pay range for Bay Area: $181,800.00 to $272,700.00

Salaries are based on candidate experience, location (California, Bay Area, or outside California), and current employee salaries for similar roles.

Locations

Oakland, CA; Washington, DC; Long Beach, CA; El Dorado Hills, CA; San Diego, CA; Woodland Hills, CA; and other U.S. locations including AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, MD, MN, NV, OR, AL, IL, VA, WI, TX, NY.