(USA) Distinguished, Data Scientist

Position Summary...

Role summary: The Distinguished Data Scientist is a senior science role at Walmart within Search and Personalization, reserved for scientists who shape the direction of the discipline, not just within the team but across the company and the broader AI research community. You will define the multi-year AI research agenda for Search and Personalization, pioneer new technical frontiers, and be the architect of approaches that set the industry standard. This role carries deep influence over product vision, engineering architecture, and executive strategy, and represents Walmart's science externally through publications, patents, and community leadership.

About the team: Walmart's Search & Personalization team shape how hundreds of millions of customers discover products every day. We sit at the intersection of AI research and global-scale systems, owning query understanding, retrieval, ranking, recommendations, and real-time personalization end-to-end. We work closely with Ads and Sparky, Walmart's AI shopping assistant, building the science that powers discovery across the full customer journey.

What you'll do:

• Set the multi-year AI research and technical strategy for Search and Personalization, identifying transformational problem spaces before they become obvious.
• Pioneer novel approaches to retrieval, ranking, personalization, and generative discovery that shape how the industry solves these problems.
• Define Walmart's position on emerging AI capabilities and translate that into concrete product and platform investments
• Influence roadmap and architecture at the VP/SVP level, aligning AI strategy with business outcomes.
• Influence product roadmap and engineering architecture at the VP and SVP level, partnering directly with senior leadership to align AI investments with company strategy.

What you'll bring:

• Recognized expertise in Search, Recommendations, or Personalization at scale, with a publication or patent record reflecting original contributions.
• Deep command of deep learning, Transformer architectures, and Generative AI applied to production Search and discovery systems.
• Proven ability to define technical strategy and drive company-level impact across multi-year horizons.
• Strong command of experimentation: causal inference, A/B testing, and the science of reliable online/offline evaluation.
• Exceptional communication skills with senior leadership; fluent in translating research vision to business outcomes.
• History of growing senior scientific talent and shaping team culture.
• PhD in CS, ML, or Statistics preferred; equivalent demonstrated impact accepted.

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 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 $169,000.00 - $338,000.00. 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: Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 6 years' experience in an analytics related field. Option 2: Master’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 4 years' experience in an analytics related field. Option 3: 8 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...

815 Eleventh Ave, Sunnyvale, CA , 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.

Benefits you’ll enjoy

Discount Card

Get 10% off

Walmart associates are eligible for a 10% discount card on most regular-priced items and fresh produce in-store and on select items at Walmart.com. Eligible after 90 days of employment.

Live Better U

100% covered

Earn a degree or in-demand skills certificates with no debt - Walmart covers 100% of tuition and books. Live Better U offers 60+ programs for Associates to pursue their dreams.

Ready to grow your career? Walmart Academy offers job-specific retail training and leadership courses to help Associates reach their career goals.

Enjoy 401(k) matching and stock purchase plans.

Paid time off

Take a break as needed for vacation, sick leave, holidays, parental leave, and more

Medical, dental, vision, and wellness programs for you and your family

Access mental health resources and assistance programs for life's challenges

Training, leadership programs, and clear paths to advance.

Imagine a workplace surrounded by innovation. At Walmart's new Home Office in Bentonville, Arkansas, we're redefining what it means to work at a global leader.

Set on 350 acres of thoughtfully revitalized land, our new campus seamlessly integrates the charm of Northwest Arkansas with cutting edge design and technology. From biking trails and outdoor courtyards to flexible, tech-enabled workspaces, every detail reflects our commitment to sustainability, connection, and culture.

With amenities like on-site childcare at our Little Squiggles Children's Enrichment Center, the Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness Center, and a vibrant food hall featuring local and international favorites, we're creating a space where work-life balance isn't just a goal—it's a reality.

Beyond the campus, Bentonville offers a dynamic lifestyle with world-class dining, art at the Crystal Bridges Museum, and countless outdoor activities.

Whether you're exploring High South cuisine, enjoying live performances at our new amphitheater, or cycling the Razorback Greenway, you'll experience the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities.

Join us at Walmart and grow your career alongside a community that feels like home.

This isn't just a workplace—it’s a destination for leaders eager to make a difference.