Top Data Science & Business Analyst Roles for New Graduates and Early Professionals 

The landscape of data science and business analytics is shifting rapidly. As we move through 2026, the demand for professionals who can bridge the gap between complex algorithmic modeling and actionable business strategy has never been higher. For students and recent graduates, the window of opportunity is wide—but competition is fierce.

Companies like Qualcomm, The Home Depot, and Fidelity Investments are no longer just looking for “coders.” They are looking for “solution architects” who understand AI agents, model context protocols (MCP) and the nuances of stakeholder management.

Fresh openings that represent the gold standard for entry-level and early-career roles in the United States.

Part 1: High-Impact Data Scientist Roles

1. Data Scientist – Finance & Accounting Automation (Qualcomm)

Location: San Diego, CA

Experience Level: Entry-level (~2 years)

Qualcomm is at the forefront of the AI revolution, and this role is specifically designed for those who want to apply Generative AI to the backbone of corporate finance. This isn’t just about “crunching numbers”; it’s about building AI Agents that automate the very fabric of accounting.

• The Mission: You will lead the transformation of finance operations through intelligent automation, designing AI systems that handle journal entries, reconciliations, and forecasting.

• Tech Stack: Python, Rust, React, PyTorch, LangChain, and Oracle ERP.

• Why Apply: You’ll be working with Model Context Protocols (MCP)—the cutting edge of how AI interacts with data environments.

Office Address: 5775 Morehouse Drive, San Diego, CA 92121

Contact: Qualcomm Careers Portal

2. Data Scientist (The Fresh Market)

Location: Greensboro, NC

Experience Level: 3+ years (Early Career)

The Fresh Market offers a unique blend of retail intuition and high-tech data science. If you are passionate about consumer behavior and “extraordinary eating,” this role allows you to influence what ends up on the shelves.

• Key Focus: Analyzing transaction data to drive merchandising and marketing recommendations.

• Perks: A 30% team member discount and a “can-do” culture that celebrates teamwork.

• Tooling: Snowflake, Python, R, and SQL.

Office Address: 628 Green Valley Rd, Suite 500, Greensboro, NC 27408

Contact: The Fresh Market Jobs

3. Sr. Data Scientist – Finance (Ingram Micro)

Location: Irvine, CA

Experience Level: ~1+ year (with strong academic background)

Ingram Micro is looking for a “Finance Insights Associate” to maximize revenue quality. This role is perfect for a candidate with a Master’s or PhD who wants to apply high-level econometrics to global commercial finance.

• Unique Challenge: Developing Finance Analytics Engines that use deep learning for time series forecasting.

• Tech Environment: GCP (Big Query, VertexAI), Python, and Julia.

Office Address: 3351 Michelson Drive, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612

Contact: Ingram Micro Careers

4. Data Scientist, Product Analytics (Whatnot)

Location: Seattle, WA / Remote Hubs

Experience Level: 3+ years

Whatnot is the fastest-growing social commerce platform in the US. As a Product Data Scientist, you aren’t just a support player; you are a partner to Engineering and Design, shaping the platform’s future.

• Compensation: $185,000 – $240,000/year + equity.

• The Work: A/B testing, causal inference, and building data products using a modern stack (dbt, Snowflake, Spark).

Office Hubs: Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco.

Contact: Whatnot Careers

Part 2: Strategic Business Analyst Roles

5. Senior Business Analyst – Merchandising (The Home Depot)

Location: Atlanta, GA

Experience Level: 2-3 years

At The Home Depot, a Senior Business Analyst is a “strategic thought partner.” You will manage the entire lifecycle of projects that determine how millions of customers shop for home improvement.

• Expertise Needed: Microsoft Power Platform, Google Big Query, and Tableau.

• Leadership: You will provide technical leadership to project teams and present findings to the Officer level.

Office Address: 2455 Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30339

Contact: Home Depot Careers

6. Business Analyst – TEM (Fidelity Investments)

Location: Roanoke, TX

Experience Level: ~1 year (New Grad Friendly)

Fidelity is looking for “Foundational DNA”—structured thinking and analytical curiosity. This role is ideal for someone who wants to enter the FinTech space and learn Agile methodologies from the ground up.

• Focus: Tax-Exempt Markets (Healthcare and University retirement plans).

• Development: You will be trained in process mapping (Miro/Visio) and requirements documentation (Jira).

Office Address: 1 Destiny Way, Westlake, TX 76262

Contact: Fidelity Careers

7. Senior Consumer Business Analyst (UnitedHealthcare)

Location: Minnetonka, MN (In-Office)

Experience Level: 3+ years

Healthcare data is complex and meaningful. At UHC, you will analyze consumer feedback and digital interactions to improve the provider journey.

• Salary Range: $72,800 – $130,000 annually.

• Requirement: Advanced Excel and a knack for storytelling with data.

Office Address: 9900 Bren Rd E, Minnetonka, MN 55343

Contact: UHC Careers

8. Business Operations Analyst (Broward Health)

Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL

Experience Level: 2-3 years

This role sits at the intersection of Finance and Revenue Cycle support. It is a technical role requiring database design and data analysis to keep a major healthcare system running efficiently.

Office Address: 1800 NW 49th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

Contact: Broward Health Careers

9. Business Analyst – Community Support Network (Solari, Inc.)

Location: Remote (Must reside in Arizona)

Experience Level: 3+ years

For those who want to use their data skills for social good, Solari offers a remote-first role managing data that supports federal reporting and crisis response networks.

• Tech: Alteryx, Tableau, SQL, and site administration for tools like Jira and Spekit.

Headquarters: Tempe, Arizona

Contact: Solari Careers

How to Stand Out in 2026

To land these roles, your resume needs to reflect more than just a degree. Here is what recruiters are looking for this year:

1. AI Agency Knowledge: Can you build a workflow where an LLM performs a task, checks its own work, and updates a database? (Crucial for the Qualcomm role).

2. Full-Stack Analytics: Proficiency in Python is expected, but adding React or UI/UX knowledge makes you a unicorn in the Data Science world.

3. Soft Skills as Hard Skills: The ability to “convey complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders” is listed in nearly every job description above. Use your cover letter to tell a story about a time you influenced a decision.

Opportunities

Company	Role	Location	Est. Exp.
Qualcomm	Data Scientist (AI/Finance)	San Diego, CA	2 Years
Whatnot	Product Data Scientist	Seattle/Remote	3+ Years
Home Depot	Sr. Business Analyst	Atlanta, GA	3 Years
Fidelity	Business Analyst	Roanoke, TX	1 Year
UnitedHealthcare	Consumer Analyst	Minnetonka, MN	3+ Years

Don’t wait. These roles are “Fresh,” meaning the application volume is currently low, but they will be flooded within 48 hours. Tag a friend, update your GitHub, and get your applications in today.