Contractual Computer Science Opt Jobs in Chicago, IL

We're determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies. Working here means having every opportunity to achieve your goals - and to help others accomplish theirs, too. Join our team as we help shape the future.

You are a driven and motivated problem solver ready to pursue meaningful work. You strive to make an impact every day not only at work, but at home and in the community too. If that sounds like you, then you've landed in the right place.

Emerging Tech and Innovation is a forward-looking team at The Hartford. We explore the frontier of AI by experimenting with emerging technologies, evaluating cutting-edge vendors, and rapidly prototyping solutions that can transform the insurance landscape.

We are seeking aSenior Data Scientistwith deep expertise in computer vision and a passion for experimentation. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in early-stage R&D environments, enjoys working with novel data modalities, and is excited by the challenge of translating emerging capabilities into business value. You'll collaborate closely with other data science and engineering teams, often handing off successful prototypes for production scaling.

Key Focus Areas

This position will build domain expertise in areas such as:

Multimodal generative AI, including image-text models

Rapid experimentationandproof-of-concept development

Vendor and technology evaluationsin the AI/ML space

Responsibilities

• Design and prototype machine learning models for image and video data, with a focus on insurance-relevant use cases.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and vendors, providing technical assessments and recommendations.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to identify high-impact opportunities for AI innovation.
• Translate ambiguous problems into structured experiments and communicate findings clearly.
• Partner with engineering and data science teams to transition successful prototypes into production-ready solutions.
• Stay current on the latest research and trends in AI, computer vision, and generative models.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to a culture of curiosity and continuous learning.

What's in it for you?

• Work on cutting-edge AI problems in a highly exploratory environment.
• Collaborate with a high-performing, forward-focused team and engage with product owners and business stakeholders.
• Expand your technical and strategic skills in a role that blends research, experimentation, and business impact.
• Influence the future of AI at The Hartford by shaping how new technologies are evaluated and adopted.
• Thrive in a supportive environment that values innovation, agility, and growth.

This role will have a Hybrid work schedule, with the expectation of working in an office (Columbus, OH, Chicago, IL, Hartford, CT or Charlotte, NC) 3 days a week (Tuesday through Thursday).

Qualifications:

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field such as Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, or Engineering. A Bachelor's with additional years of relevant experience can substitute for an advanced degree.
• 5+ years of experience in data science, machine learning, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL; experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization techniques.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Self-motivated, strong sense of ownership/accountability, and results oriented with the ability to manage time and schedules effectively
• Natural curiosity with a strong desire to learn, maintain, and apply knowledge of emerging data technologies

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with Computer Vision, Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN), Multimodal GEN AI a plus
• Familiarity with Agile and CI/CD practices.
• Experience in innovation and rapid prototyping with a "fail-fast" mindset.
• Knowledge of Property & Casualty Insurance business is a plus.

Candidate must be authorized to work in the US without company sponsorship.The company will not support the STEM OPT I-983 Training Plan endorsement for this position.

Compensation

The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions in the external market. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of The Hartford's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include short-term or annual bonuses, long-term incentives, and on-the-spot recognition. The annualized base pay range for this role is:

Equal Opportunity Employer/Sex/Race/Color/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or Expression/Religion/Age

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