(USA) Principal, Data Scientist

Position Summary

We are seeking a Principal Data Scientist to solve ambiguous, high-value retail problems through rigorous analytics, ML modeling, experimentation, causal inference, and deployment of scalable solutions. You will work closely with agentic AI teams to build the data science capabilities, measurement frameworks, and causal reasoning skills needed to answer users’ business-impact questions. You will shape strategy, define success metrics, validate outcomes, deploy decision-ready models and tools, and translate complex evidence into clear recommendations for product, engineering, and executive partners.

What you'll do

• Drive high-impact data science initiatives across recommendations, customer voice, market research, product innovation, segmentation, forecasting, measurement, and decision intelligence.
• Frame ambiguous business questions as testable hypotheses with clear metrics and decision criteria.
• Build, validate, deploy, monitor, and improve predictive, causal, and ML solutions.
• Design experiments and causal measurement approaches, including A/B tests, uplift modeling, difference-in-differences, and synthetic control.
• Work with agentic AI teams to answer user questions about measurement, impact, and causal drivers.
• Mentor team members on coding, modeling, visualization, and analytical storytelling.
• Communicate insights to influence decisions and drive business value.

About the team

The Walmart Scintilla team transforms extensive data into actionable insights, recommendations, and innovations that enhance customer, merchant, and supplier outcomes. This team leads advancements in generative AI, agentic intelligence, machine learning, measurement, and causal inference to redefine retail experiences, optimize operations, and develop new business models. Joining this team offers the opportunity to lead cutting-edge AI initiatives that set industry standards and drive significant impact across the retail ecosystem.

What you'll bring

• Deep expertise in data science, statistics, machine learning, experimentation, measurement, and causal inference.
• Proven ability to turn ambiguous business problems into clear hypotheses, scalable analytical plans, and measurable outcomes.
• Strong Python coding skills, with experience building production-quality data science solutions.
• Experience deploying, monitoring, and improving models or decision tools in partnership with engineering teams.
• Familiarity with emerging agentic AI architectures, systems, and evaluation patterns.
• Experience using AI-assisted coding and engineering tools to improve development speed, quality, and iteration.
• Ability to mentor others on coding, modeling, visualization, and analytical communication.
• Strong business judgment and communication skills to influence product, engineering, and executive stakeholders.

Additional compensation

• Annual or quarterly performance bonuses.
• Stock options for certain positions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 5 years' experience in an analytics related field.
• Master's degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 3 years' experience in an analytics related field.
• 7 years' experience in an analytics or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Data science, machine learning, optimization models.
• PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Information Technology, Operations Research, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Econometrics.
• Publishations or active peer reviewer in related journals or conferences.
• Successful completion of one or more assessments in Python, Spark, Scala, or R.
• Using open source frameworks (for example, scikit learn, tensorflow, torch).
• Knowledge of creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly.

Primary Location

2608 Se J St, Bentonville, AR 72716-3724, United States of America

Additional Information

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.