Scientific Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Here you'll work side-by-side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life-changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client-first mentality to each and every engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life-changing impact to ZS.
Insights & Analytics
ZS's Insights & Analytics group partners with clients to design and deliver solutions to help them tackle a broad range of business challenges. Our teams work on multiple projects simultaneously, leveraging advanced data analytics and problem-solving techniques. Our recommendations and solutions are based on rigorous research and analysis underpinned by deep expertise and thought leadership.
We are seeking a Data Scientist (Associate Consultant) with deep expertise in both Generative AI and traditional machine learning to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying high-impact AI solutions.
You will be a key player in architecting our next generation of AI agents and workflows that tackle complex problems, turning ambiguous business needs into concrete technical solutions that redefine what's possible.
This is a hands-on role that requires a strong foundation in ML theory, advanced skills in GenAI application development, and a practical understanding of deploying models to ensure your creations are robust, scalable, and impactful.
What You'll Do

• Design, build, and deploy advanced machine learning and GenAI models to solve key business problems.
• Architect and develop complex, stateful multi-agent systems and workflows using modern agentic frameworks like LangGraph
• Develop and productionize sophisticated AI systems, including fine-tuning open-source LLMs, building advanced Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines, experience in advanced prompt engineering development and designing multi-agent systems.
• Lead the research, experimentation, and implementation of novel GenAI techniques to solve complex business problems, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
• Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of data science projects, from initial conception and data analysis to model deployment and in-production monitoring.
• Apply classical machine learning techniques (e.g., predictive modeling, time-series analysis, classification) to analyze large-scale, complex datasets.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers, product managers, and domain experts, to deliver integrated AI solutions.
• Ensure the operational viability of deployed models by implementing robust monitoring for performance and data drift.

• Provide guidance and mentorship to Associate team members.

What You'll Bring

• A PhD Degree in Computer Science, Statistics, or a relevant field or a master's degree with 3-5 years of relevant post-collegiate work experience;

• Demonstrated experience in designing, building, and deploying Generative AI applications, with hands-on expertise in techniques such as fine-tuning, prompt engineering, Agentic systems, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and working with vector databases.
• Strong proficiency in Python and core data science libraries (e.g., pandas, scikit-learn).
• Experience with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.

• Prior leadership experience from a relevant position.

• Fluency in English.

Additional Skills:

• Deep, hands-on experience building multi-agent systems with frameworks like LangChain, LangGraph, or similar Agent Development Kits (ADKs).
• Deep experience with GenAI frameworks like LangChain, LlamaIndex, Hugging Face ecosystem & familiarity to MCP tools.
• Experience with model quantization, inference optimization, and other techniques for the efficient deployment of large models.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and their AI/ML services.
• A strong track record of applying data science to solve complex, real-world problems.

How you'll grow:

• Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways
• Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities
• Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution and role expansions

Perks & Benefits:
At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well-being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills-building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you'll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in United States, visit ZS US office locations | Where we work | ZS.
Hybrid working model:
We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections.
Travel:
Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.
Considering applying?
At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems-the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.
If you're eager to grow, contribute, and bring your unique self to our work, we encourage you to apply.
ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.
To complete your application:
An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.
NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.
Find Out More At:
www.zs.com