Data Scientist II at MetLife in Cary, United States

Job description

• The Data Scientist II is responsible for designing and implementing scalable data science, machine learning, Generative AI, and advanced analytics solutions that drive business value and informed decision-making. This role supports the full analytics lifecycle including data acquisition, SQL development, data preparation, feature engineering, model development, deployment, monitoring, and responsible AI practices. The position contributes to production-ready solutions using modern AI technologies and responsible AI principles.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, validate, deploy, monitor, and optimize analytics, machine learning, and AI solutions.
• Perform data extraction, SQL development, data preparation, exploratory analysis, feature engineering, and model evaluation.
• Develop production-grade predictive and Generative AI solutions using structured and unstructured data.
• Support foundation model adaptation, prompt engineering, embeddings, vector databases, RAG-based AI applications, and agentic AI workflows.
• Utilize Databricks, Apache Spark, and cloud-based analytics environments where applicable.
• Generate actionable insights and communicate business impact to stakeholders.
• Monitor solution performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Leverage AI-augmented tools to enhance productivity while ensuring output quality.
• Collaborate with Business, Technology, Operations, and D&A capabilities including Data Governance, Data Quality, Data Modeling, Data Architecture, Data Science, DevOps, and BI & Insights teams.
• Ensure adherence to quality, security, compliance, explainability, MLOps, model governance, and responsible AI standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Research, Computer Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, or related quantitative field.
• 3-5 years of experience in data science, analytics, machine learning, or related quantitative disciplines.
• Hands-on experience with Python, SQL, statistics, hypothesis testing, feature engineering, and predictive modeling.
• Experience with one or more machine learning frameworks (Scikit-learn OR TensorFlow OR PyTorch).
• Experience with data preparation, data wrangling, analytics solution development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Foundational knowledge of Generative AI including large language models, prompting, embeddings, vector stores, and RAG.
• Strong analytical, communication, and structured problem-solving skills.
• Experience with Databricks, Apache Spark, or cloud analytics platforms.
• Experience with NLP technologies including spaCy, Transformers, OCR, or related tools.
• Knowledge of agentic AI architectures, multi-agent workflows, AI copilots, and AI-augmented development environments.
• Exposure to model evaluation, benchmarking, monitoring, and MLOps fundamentals.
• Portfolio of academic, internship, personal, or professional data science projects.

Skills

Required

• Python
• SQL
• Statistics
• Hypothesis testing
• Feature engineering
• Predictive modeling
• Data preparation
• Data wrangling
• Analytics solution development
• Stakeholder engagement
• Strong analytical skills
• Communication skills

Preferred

• Databricks
• Apache Spark
• Cloud analytics platforms
• Agentic AI architectures
• Multi-agent workflows
• AI copilots
• AI-augmented development environments
• Model evaluation

Benefits

• Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more! For more information regarding MetLife’s U.S. benefits, please click here.
• The expected salary range for this position is $90,000 - $115,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.