(USA) Principal, Data Scientist

Position Summary

As a Principal Data Scientist, you will lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced optimization, machine learning, and AI solutions that drive strategic outcomes across Walmart’s Perishables network. You will translate complex business challenges into scalable analytical products, influence enterprise decision-making, and shape data science strategy. This role requires deep technical expertise, strong business acumen, and exceptional communication skills. You will partner with cross-functional leaders, mentor data scientists, and champion innovative approaches that deliver measurable operational and customer impact.

About the team

The Supply Chain Labor Planning team delivers advanced workforce insights and innovative labor planning solutions across multiple formats. The team combines data engineering, financial modeling, and supply chain execution to optimize staffing and operational performance at numerous facilities. By developing tools and automation, it enables site leaders to make data-driven decisions that enhance workforce management and operational outcomes. The group collaborates closely with leadership and stakeholders to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence through advanced analytics, project management, and strategic guidance.

What you'll do

• Lead the development and deployment of optimization, machine learning, and AI solutions using Python, SQL, and modern data science frameworks.
• Drive end-to-end analytics initiatives from problem definition through production implementation.
• Design scalable models and decision-support tools that improve operational performance.
• Partner with business leaders to identify opportunities and translate requirements into actionable solutions.
• Establish best practices for modeling, experimentation, and data quality.
• Mentor and develop data scientists while influencing technical strategy across teams.
• Monitor and continuously improve model performance and business outcomes.

What you'll bring

• Deep expertise in optimization, machine learning, statistical modeling, and AI applications, including agentic AI.
• Proven experience delivering production-grade data science solutions at scale using Python and modern ML frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of SQL, data architecture, and integrating structured and unstructured data sources.
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex analyses to technical and business audiences.
• Demonstrated success leading through ambiguity, influencing stakeholders, and driving enterprise-level impact.
• A customer-focused mindset, intellectual curiosity, and passion for solving complex business problems through data and innovation.

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).
• 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.

Your Career Journey at Walmart

At Walmart, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here’s what to expect when interacting with us as recruiters: We’ll reach out via verified LinkedIn profiles or emails ending in "@walmart.com." or “@samsclub.com.” All job opportunities and applications are hosted on our official careers site: http://careers.walmart.com. There is no cost or payment required to apply or be considered for a position. If you have any doubts about a communication, feel free to visit our careers page to verify authenticity. Thank you for exploring opportunities at Walmart!