Chief Data Scientist / AI Lead - Capital Markets Technology

SMBC; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 300,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

SMBC is seeking a Managing Director and Chief Data Scientist to spearhead AI solutions across Capital Markets. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on development in data science, ML, and AI/LLMs to deliver measurable business impact.

You will partner with traders and quants to translate business challenges into scalable, production-ready AI capabilities, while mentoring a team of engineers and data scientists. This is a senior, highly technical leadership opportunity.

Qualifications

• PhD in a quantitative field required.
• 15+ years in Data Science, ML, or AI.
• Proven production AI/ML track record.
• Expert Python and modern AI frameworks.
• Deep knowledge of LLMs, RAG, NLP, agentic AI.
• Experience building scalable data pipelines.
• Capital Markets experience helpful.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills.
• Excellent communication with technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI/ML, LLM, RAG, NLP solutions across Capital Markets.
• Partner with traders, quants, risk teams to translate challenges.
• Develop Python-based models and services using LangChain, Vertex AI.
• Design real-time and batch data pipelines across platforms.
• Mentor engineers and data scientists; provide architecture guidance.

Skills

Python

LLMs

NLP

RAG

Agentic AI

Machine Learning

Data pipelines

Leadership

Mentoring

Stakeholder communication

Education

PhD in quantitative field

Tools

LangChain

Vertex AI

Job description

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Chief Data Scientist / AI Lead - Capital Markets Technology

Job Level: Managing Director

Location: New York, NY, US, 10172

Employment Type: Full Time

Requisition ID: 8158

SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 130 offices and 80,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges.

In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization’s extensive global network. The Group’s operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC MANUBANK, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd.

The anticipated salary range for this role is between $300,000.00and $325,000.00. The specific salary offered to an applicant will be based on their individual qualifications, experiences, and an analysis of the current compensation paid in their geography and the market for similar roles at the time of hire. The role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive award. In addition to cash compensation, SMBC offers a competitive portfolio of benefits to its employees.

Role Description

We are seeking a Managing Director, Chief Data Scientist to lead the development and application of advanced AI, Machine Learning, and Large Language Model (LLM) solutions across Capital Markets. This role is designed for a highly accomplished, hands‑on technical leader with deep expertise in data science, fixed income markets, and front‑office technology.

The successful candidate will partner directly with Trading, Risk, and Quantitative teams to identify opportunities, rapidly prototype solutions, and deliver production‑ready AI capabilities that drive measurable business impact. This is a senior role requiring both strategic leadership and active hands‑on development.

Role Objectives

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of AI/ML, LLM, RAG, NLP, and agentic AI solutions supporting trading, risk management, and client analytics.
• Partner directly with traders, quants, and risk teams to transform business challenges into scalable technology solutions.
• Apply deep knowledge of fixed income markets and the trade lifecycle, including trade capture, P&L, risk, settlement, and regulatory processes.
• Rapidly prototype and productionize data science solutions that deliver tangible front‑office business value.
• Develop high-quality Python‑based models and services using modern AI frameworks such as LangChain, Vertex AI, and related technologies.
• Design and optimize real‑time and batch data pipelines across trading, risk, and market data platforms.
• Drive workflow automation, decision support, and exception management through advanced AI techniques.
• Validate and refine models using trading data, market behavior, and user feedback.
• Serve as a senior technical expert, providing hands‑on problem solving for complex data, analytics, and technology challenges.
• Mentor engineers and data scientists through direct coding, architecture guidance, and implementation leadership.

Qualifications and Skills

• PhD in Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline required.
• 15+ years of experience in Data Science, Machine Learning, Quantitative Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, or related technology disciplines.
• Proven track record designing, building, and deploying production‑grade AI/ML solutions that deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Expert‑level proficiency in Python and modern AI/ML frameworks and platforms.
• Deep expertise in:
  • Large Language Models (LLMs)
  • Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG)
  • Agentic AI workflows
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  • Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics
  • Statistical Modeling and Data Science
• Experience developing scalable data pipelines, real‑time analytics platforms, and cloud‑based AI solutions.
• Capital Markets experience, particularly within Fixed Income, Trading, Risk, or Quantitative Research, is helpful. However, professional experience from other data‑intensive industries such as retail, technology, healthcare, telecommunications, or e‑commerce will also be helpful.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with senior business stakeholders and translate complex business challenges into practical, scalable solutions.
• Distinguished technical contributor with a hands‑on approach to architecture, coding, model development, and problem solving.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills with the ability to guide engineers and data scientists through direct technical engagement.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain advanced analytical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.

Additional Requirements

SMBC’s employees participate in a Hybrid workforce model that provides employees with an opportunity to work from home, as well as, from an SMBC office. SMBC requires that employees live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Prospective candidates will learn more about their specific hybrid work schedule during their interview process. Hybrid work may not be permitted for certain roles, including, for example, certain FINRA‑registered roles for which in‑office attendance for the entire workweek is required.

SMBC provides reasonable accommodations during candidacy for applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please let us know at [e-mail].