About The Company
Target is a leading retail corporation dedicated to helping families discover the joy of everyday life. With a commitment to innovation, diversity, and community engagement, Target strives to provide an exceptional shopping experience through its extensive product offerings and customer-centric services. The company fosters a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous improvement, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. As a major player in the retail industry, Target continuously invests in digital transformation and data-driven solutions to stay ahead in a competitive market. Working at Target offers employees the opportunity to be part of a dynamic environment where they can contribute to shaping the future of retail and technology.
About The Role
The Lead Machine Learning Engineer – Merchandising AI at Target is a pivotal role within the Data Sciences team, responsible for developing and optimizing advanced machine learning models that drive merchandising strategies. This role involves designing, implementing, and maintaining scalable production solutions that leverage large-scale data to automate decision-making processes. The successful candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams including data scientists, software engineers, and product managers to deliver impactful AI-driven features that enhance Target’s merchandising platform. The position requires a strong understanding of software design principles, best practices in ML engineering, and experience with cloud-based ML ecosystems. Additionally, the Lead Machine Learning Engineer will play a key role in mentoring team members, conducting training sessions, and presenting technical work to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the strategic direction of Target’s merchandising AI initiatives and contribute to the company's overall digital innovation efforts.
Qualifications
- 4-year degree in Quantitative disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) or equivalent experience
- MS in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, or related fields
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in end-to-end machine learning application development
- Proficiency in Python programming
- Extensive experience with applied machine learning frameworks and distributed machine learning systems
- Strong understanding of CI/CD practices and ML Ops principles
- Hands-on experience with Google Cloud's Vertex AI and cloud-based ML ecosystems
- Knowledge of testing frameworks, containerization (Docker), and orchestration tools (Kubernetes)
- Experience in REST API design and development
- Familiarity with Big Data technologies such as Hadoop, Spark, and Kafka
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively with data scientists, engineers, and product teams
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to visualize and narrate data-driven insights
- Leadership experience in mentoring engineers and establishing engineering standards
- Self-driven, results-oriented, and capable of meeting tight deadlines
- Motivated team player with a collaborative mindset in a global environment
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and optimize machine learning models for merchandising applications
- Create scalable data pipelines and ensure efficient data processing workflows
- Implement and maintain production ML solutions, including deployment and API development
- Lead the development of agentic AI solutions integrating data, tools, APIs, and business rules
- Participate in code reviews, ensure best practices in software design, and maintain high-quality, well-documented codebases
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business needs into technical solutions
- Conduct training sessions and share knowledge on ML best practices and cloud-native development
- Present technical work to stakeholders, including non-technical leadership, to inform decision-making
- Mentor junior engineers, establish engineering standards, and promote continuous improvement
- Stay updated with the latest advancements in machine learning, cloud technologies, and AI tools
Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance-based incentives
- Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
- Retirement plans including 401(k) with company matching
- Flexible work arrangements including remote and hybrid options
- Paid time off and holidays
- Professional development opportunities and training programs
- Inclusive and collaborative work environment
- Employee discounts and perks
Equal Opportunity
Target is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an environment where all employees are valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected status. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.