As a Principal Associate Data Scientist on Capital One’s People Strategy & Analytics team in McLean, VA, you will lead the development of advanced natural language processing and machine learning models to enhance HR efficiency and talent decision-making. Your daily tasks include designing, training, evaluating, and implementing AI models using open-source large language models through prompt engineering and retrieval-augmented generation techniques. You’ll collaborate closely with data scientists, software engineers, business analysts, and product managers to deliver cutting-edge HR tools and AI-powered products that leverage Python, SQL, AWS, LangChain, Hugging Face Transformers, VectorDBs, Pytorch/TensorFlow, and more. Ideal candidates are passionate about human capital management, innovative, creative, technically proficient, and statistically minded, with a Master's degree in a quantitative field plus three years of data analytics experience. Preferred qualifications include extensive Python programming, relational database expertise, and AI/ML tool proficiency.
Develop natural language processing and machine learning models through all stages of development.
Engineer prompts and use retrieval-augmented generation with large language models for business applications.
Utilize Python, SQL, AWS, and other technologies to extract insights from extensive data sets.
Collaborate on the creation of advanced HR tools and AI-powered products with cross-functional teams.
Translate complex data science findings into actionable strategies aligned with business objectives.
What we're looking for
Master's degree in a quantitative field plus 3 years of data analytics experience.
Experience building and implementing natural language processing and machine learning models.
Proficiency in using open-source large language models through prompt engineering and evaluation metric frameworks.
Strong collaboration skills to work with cross-functional teams on HR tools and AI products.
Technical expertise with Python, SQL, AWS, Hugging Face Transformers, VectorDBs, Pytorch/TensorFlow.
Ability to translate complex data science insights into actionable business outcomes.
Market check
Salary context
This
$161,800–$184,600
range sits above
65%
of similar postings on FindRole.
Peer median band
$111,240–$220,000
Median floor and ceiling across peers.
Typical midpoint (25–75%)
$135,000–$198,000
Middle half of comparable postings.
Based on 240 comparable postings.*
* 240 is the maximum number of comparable postings sampled.
Employer
About Capital One Financial
Capital One Financial is a bank holding company specializing in credit cards, auto loans, banking, and savings products, known for its data-driven approach to consumer and commercial finance. Industry: Financial Services & Banking
Capital One Financial currently has
489 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$197,300–$225,100
across 483 roles with salary data.