Senior Data Scientist

Neo Financial; Calgary; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a rapidly expanding fintech company as a Senior Data Scientist, where you'll lead the delivery of machine learning models that drive commercial value. This role requires deep expertise in Python and AWS SageMaker, and offers the opportunity to mentor junior data scientists while improving MLOps infrastructure. Thrive in a fast-paced environment and contribute to building a rewarding financial future for Canadians. If you're passionate about using data to solve real business problems and want to make a significant impact, this position is for you.

Benefits

Equity through stock options

Flexible work environment

Professional development opportunities

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience deploying ML models with commercial impact.
• Strong expertise in Python and ML frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of ML models for fraud detection and credit risk.
• Enhance model explainability and improve MLOps infrastructure.

Skills

Python

Machine Learning

MLOps

Model Validation

Data Analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Data Science or related field

Master's Degree (preferred)

Tools

AWS SageMaker

Snowflake

MLflow

dbt

Airflow

Job description

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Join us to build a more rewarding financial future for all Canadians

At Neo, we’re on a mission to build a more rewarding financial future for all Canadians. Life at a rapidly expanding tech startup isn’t for everyone. It’s complex, fast-paced, high-pressure, but also incredibly fulfilling. Since its founding in 2019, Neo has gained incredible traction and is one of the fastest-growing fintech companies in Canada.

• #1 Fastest Growing Company in Canada for 2024 by Globe & Mail
• Deloitte’s Fast 50 in Canada Winner for 2023 and 2024
• LinkedIn’s Top Startup in Canada for 2022 and 2023
• Top-ranked mobile apps and credit cards
• Team of 700+ people
• 1M+ customers
• 10K+ retail partners

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading the end-to-end delivery of ML models across the business, including fraud detection, credit risk modeling, and marketing optimization.
• Enhancing model explainability and business trust through SHAP insights, validation reports, and cross-functional communication.
• Improving our MLOps infrastructure (e.g., automating model pipelines, implementing versioning and drift detection, streamlining auto-retraining processes).
• Establishing rigorous model validation frameworks (e.g., OOT validation, temporal splits, cross-validation) to ensure high model quality and generalization.
• Mentoring junior data scientists, guiding technical design decisions, reviewing code and model logic, and leading knowledge-sharing sessions.
• Partnering with business teams to ensure models are solving real business problems and delivering commercial value.

Who We Are Looking For

• A senior-level Data Scientist with 5+ years relevant experience, who has proven success deploying ML models into production environments, with an emphasis on commercial impact.
• Deep technical expertise with Python (including pandas, scikit-learn), XGBoost (parameter tuning, custom objectives, SHAP analysis), and AWS SageMaker (training, pipelines, deployment).
• Strong ML validation skills, including strategies to avoid data leakage, OOT testing, and robust backtesting.
• Strong experience with Snowflake, and ideally familiar with MLflow, dbt, and Airflow.
• A pragmatic, business-first mindset — someone who can move fast, prioritize delivering value in days/weeks (not months), and thrive in an ambiguous, fast-paced environment.
• Experience mentoring and up-skilling junior staff.

Working At Neo

The people who thrive at Neo are resourceful, growth-oriented, and driven to win. We hold ourselves to high standards because we’re on a mission that matters: to build a more rewarding financial future for all Canadians. As individuals and as a team, we constantly challenge ourselves and each other to do our best work for our customers. Our commitment to customer success drives everything we do, from building intuitive products to providing exceptional support at every step of their journey. If this resonates with you, keep reading.

We trust, respect, and support each other. This means honest conversations, constructive input, and continuous support. You’ll be surrounded by people who push you to be your best. We primarily collaborate in person across our Calgary, Winnipeg, and Toronto offices. As we evolve rapidly, we’re looking for change-makers who thrive on challenge—people who would rather blaze a trail through uncertainty than follow a well-paved path.

All team members have a stake in Neo’s success and earn meaningful equity through stock options. This ownership mindset is at the heart of everything we do — when Neo grows, we all grow. If you’ve heard that Neo employees work hard, it’s true. We hold ourselves accountable for delivering on our commitments to our customers, partners, and each other. Working at Neo means taking ownership of your work and driving results, knowing that your contributions directly impact the company’s success.

Apply With Us

We believe in equal opportunity and are committed to creating an inclusive climate where everyone can thrive. Customers trust us with their finances, so successful candidates for this position will be required to undergo a security screening, including a criminal records check and a credit check.

By continuing with your application, you agree to the Candidate Privacy Notice which guides how we process your personal information for the purpose of your application.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Engineering and Information Technology

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