Data Scientist - Applied AI Scientist

Zions Bancorporation is hiring an Applied AI-focused Data Scientist to connect statistical research with production-grade software engineering for ML/AI systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and validate ML/AI solutions by translating business problems into mathematical formulations and scalable, production-ready code.
• Conduct deep exploratory data analysis, statistical testing, and data transformations on structured and unstructured datasets to uncover predictive signals and validate hypotheses.
• Architect and implement modular, extensible, and testable Python codebases for AI experiments.
• Apply clean-code practices beyond notebooks using SOLID and DRY to support hand-off to ETO Engineering teams.
• Develop and experiment with applied generative AI and multi-agent architectures using orchestration frameworks such as LangChain and LangGraph, with focus on state management, robust RAG pipelines, and efficient system design.
• Optimize model inference, data processing pipelines, and memory footprints to improve latency and scalability, including understanding of data structures and algorithmic complexity.
• Create automated evaluation frameworks to benchmark model performance, mitigate hallucinations, track drift, and support algorithmic fairness using A/B testing and statistical rigor.
• Serve as the technical translator between research ideation and engineering execution.
• Communicate complex statistical findings and system architectures to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Requirements

• Strong foundation in statistics (Bayesian/Frequentist), linear algebra, hypothesis testing, and ML algorithm internals (optimizers, loss functions, attention mechanisms).
• Advanced Python experience with emphasis on Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and modular design.
• Ability to write unit tests (e.g., Pytest) for data pipelines and models.
• Deep experience with ML libraries including PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, and Pandas, including implementing custom logic (not limited to out-of-the-box models).
• Hands-on experience with NLP, Large Language Models (LLMs), and Vector Databases, including evaluation and optimization at scale.
• Proficiency with Git/version control; experience with Docker, FastAPI and/or Flask API development; working knowledge of how models fit into a CI/CD lifecycle (MLOps).
• Exceptional problem-solving skills with comfort in ambiguity; ability to own the data science lifecycle from ideation to engineered prototype.
• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field plus 4+ years of hands-on experience in applied machine learning or data science.
• Master’s degree or PhD is a plus.
• Education and experience combination may meet qualifications.

Technologies

• Python, SOLID, DRY
• LangChain, LangGraph
• PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, Pandas
• NLP, Large Language Models (LLMs), Vector Databases
• Git, Docker, FastAPI, Flask
• CI/CD, MLOps, Pytest
• Jupyter notebooks, A/B testing

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - START DAY ONE!
• Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• Health Savings (HSA), Flexible Spending (FSA) and dependent care accounts
• Paid Training, Paid Time Off (PTO) and 11 Paid Federal Holidays
• 401(k) plan with company match, Profit Sharing, competitive compensation in line with work experience
• Mental health benefits including coaching and therapy sessions
• Tuition Reimbursement for qualifying employees
• Employee Ambassador preferred banking products

Location and Work Model

• Midvale, UT (hybrid) with a minimum of three days per week in the office at the new Zions Technology Center.
• Zions Technology Center: 400,000-square-foot technology campus in Midvale, Utah (former Sharon Steel Mill).
• Electric vehicle charging stations; close proximity to Historic Gardner Village UTA TRAX station.
• At least 75% of the building is powered by on-site renewable solar energy.
• Access to outdoor recreation, parks, trails, shareable bikes and locker rooms.
• Large modern cafe with a healthy and diverse menu.
• Healthy indoor environment with ample natural light and fresh air.
• LEED-certified sustainable building, including low VOC-emitting construction materials.

Visa Sponsorship

• Not eligible for employment visa sponsorship (e.g., H-1B visa).
• Includes situations such as temporary work authorization while enrolled in school or after graduation (e.g., CPT, OPT) where H-1B sponsorship would be needed within a few years to maintain employment eligibility.