Lead Data Scientist

Malvern, PA April 21, 2026 Full Time Workday

Key Responsibilities 

  • Develops complex queries and performs extensive programming to access, transform, and prepare largescale data for statistical modeling and AI applications.  

  • Leads diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics initiatives to support strategic and operational decision-making 

  • Identifies data inconsistencies, documents assumptions, and addresses data quality gaps to ensure reliable model outcomes.  

  • Designs, trains, evaluates, and deploys machine learning and AI models (e.g., supervised/unsupervised learning, NLP, timeseries, optimization). 

  • Apply generative AI techniques (e.g., LLMs, embeddings, prompt engineering, agents) to enable automation, insight generation, and intelligent user experiences. 

  • Guides model validation, performance monitoring, explainability, and responsible AI practices.  

  • Engages with business and technology stakeholders to understand problems, formulate hypotheses, and translate requirements into analytic and AI solutions.  

  • Serves as an AI and analytics expert on cross functional initiatives, contributing to enterprise wide data and AI maturity.  

  • Prepares and delivers clear, concise insight presentations and recommendations to technical and nontechnical audiences.  

Qualifications 

  • 7+ years of experience in data science, analytics, or related quantitative roles.  

  • Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, SQL) for data wrangling, modeling, and production ready solutions.  

  • Handson experience with statistical modeling and machine learning techniques.  

  • Proven ability to translate complex analytical results into business insights.  

  • Experience with generative AI, LLMs, vector databases, or AI orchestration frameworks. 

  • Familiarity with cloud based data and AI platforms. 

  • Experience working in regulated or largescale enterprise environments. 

What Success Looks Like 

  • AI solutions that measurably improve efficiency, insight quality, and decision speed. 

  • Scalable, well governed models that are trusted by business partners. 

  • Clear storytelling that connects AI outcomes to business value. 

Special Factors

Sponsorship

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission.

To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.

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How to Get Hired at Vanguard

  • The Vanguard Group is the world's second-largest asset manager with ~$10T AUM and ~21,000 employees, headquartered on a 100-acre wooded campus at 100 Vanguard Boulevard in Malvern PA, with major U.S. offices in Charlotte NC, Phoenix AZ, and Scottsdale AZ, plus international offices in London, Melbourne, Mexico City, and Shanghai.
  • Vanguard is mutually owned by its own funds (and through them by the funds' investors) — there is no IPO, no parent company, no founding family equity stake, and no external shareholder. This structure is the source of the firm's roughly 0.07 percent average expense ratio and is referenced in nearly every internal cultural conversation. Engaging with this structure understandingly is the single biggest cultural-fit signal you can send.
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