Data Scientist

Kawasaki USA; Lake Forest (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401(k) match

Onsite fitness center

Kawasaki Kafe

Employee discounts on Kawasaki

Generous PTO

Job summary

Kawasaki Motors Retail Finance is seeking a highly skilled Data Scientist to manage and analyze complex data for retail finance operations in Foothill Ranch, CA. You will design predictive models, manage large datasets, and build dashboards to drive strategic decisions.

The role requires 3+ years in data science or advanced analytics within financial services, strong Python/R/SQL skills, and experience with cloud data platforms and visualization tools. On-site work preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in data science, Computer Science, Statistics, or related field; master's preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in data science or advanced analytics, with retail finance or financial services.
• Strong proficiency in Python, R, and SQL for data manipulation and model development.
• Hands-on experience with ML frameworks (scikit-learn, XGBoost, TensorFlow).
• Expertise in statistical modeling, forecasting, and financial analytics.
• Proficient with Power BI, Tableau, or similar visualization tools.
• Familiarity with AWS, Azure, Snowflake, Airflow; cloud data pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain predictive models for credit risk, loan performance forecasting, customer segmentation, and pricing.
• Manage, clean, and analyze large structured and unstructured datasets to generate actionable insights.
• Perform deep-dive Exploratory Data Analysis to uncover trends and opportunities in powersports finance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate objectives into DS solutions with measurable impact.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize dashboards and reporting tools to monitor KPI and portfolio performance.
• Ensure data quality and governance, regulatory compliance, and security of financial data.
• Identify opportunities for automation and advanced analytics to streamline data operations and decision making.
• Coordinate with IT/engineering to design scalable data pipelines and integration across systems.
• Deliver clear data-backed insights to stakeholders to support strategic initiatives and financial planning.
• Stay updated with new DS technologies and fintech trends to drive innovation.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory policies in all data activities and reporting.
• Perform additional duties to support analytics growth.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

Machine learning

Data visualization

Cloud platforms

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in data science / CS / statistics or related

Master's or advanced degree preferred

Job description

Kawasaki Motors Retail Finance is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Data Scientist to manage and analyze complex data for our retail finance operations. This role is pivotal in leveraging data-driven insights to optimize performance, enhance decision-making, and support business strategies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in data analysis, statistical modeling, and machine learning techniques, particularly within the retail finance domain. This position will report to the Senior Group Manager, Data Science.

Model Development & Forecasting

Design, build, and maintain advance predictive models to support credit risk assessment, loan performance forecasting, customer segmentation, and pricing strategies.

Data Management & Analysis

Manage, clean, and analyze large-scale, structured, and unstructured datasets to generate actionable insights that inform business strategies and drive operational efficiency.

Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)

Perform deep-dive analysis to uncover trends, patterns, and new business opportunities in the retail finance powersports market.

Cross-functional Collaboration

Partners with teams across the business to understand key objectives and translate them into data science solutions that drive value and measurable impact.

Dashboarding & Visualization

Develop, maintain, and optimize interactive dashboards and reporting tools (Tableau, Power BI, Looker) to track KPI’s monitor portfolio performance, and support data storytelling.

Data Quality & Governance

Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and security of financial data while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards and internal governance policies.

Process Improvement

Identify and implement opportunities for automation, workflow enhancements, and advanced analytics use cases to streamline data operations and improve decision making.

Pipeline Optimization

Coordinate with IT and engineering teams to design robust, scalable data pipelines and improve integration processes across internal systems and third‑party platforms.

Strategic Insight & Communication

Deliver clear and concise insights and data backed recommendations to stakeholders at all levels, supporting strategic initiatives and financial planning processes.

Continuous Learning & Innovation

Stay abreast of emerging technologies, tools, and methodologies in the data science and fintech landscape and apply innovative technologies to enhance business outcomes.

Regulatory & Policy Compliance

Ensure all data activities, models and reporting processes comply with applicable financial regulations and company policies.

Additional Responsibilities

Perform other duties as assigned to support the growth and success of the analytics and retail finance teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in data science, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field required; master’s or advanced degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in data science or advance analytics, with direct experience in retail finance or financial services is required.
• Strong proficiency in Python, R, and SQL for data manipulation and model development.
• Hands‑on experience with machine learning frameworks and algorithms (scikit-learn, XGBoost, TensorFlow).
• Expertise in statistical modeling, forecasting, and financial analytic techniques.
• Proficient with data visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms and modern data pipeline tools (AWS, Azure, Snowflake, Airflow).
• Excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills with sharp attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly present complex data insights to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work on-site at our Foothill Ranch, CA office, with a collaborative and team‑oriented mindset.

Profile Differentiators

Startup and High-Growth Experience

Demonstrated success working in fast‑paced environments, especially as a founder, co‑founder, or early‑stage team member where adaptability, innovation, and execution were critical.

Industry Expertise in Powersports Finance

Direct experience or strong familiarity with the powersports (motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, PWCs) finance industry, including knowledge of retail installment contracts, dealer networks, and consumer behavior in the powersports segment.

Fintech Fluency

Deep understanding of fintech trends, applications, and innovations, particularly those that impact consumer lending, digital finance platforms, alternative credit models, and automation in financial services.

Advanced SQL and Data Engineering Skills

Expertise in writing optimized, complex SQL queries and working with large scale relational databases. Experience with data wrangling, ETL processes, and performance tuning.

Cloud and Data Pipeline Proficiency

Hands‑on experience with cloud‑based platforms such as AWS, Azure, Snowflake, Airflow. Also including tools like S3, Redshift, Glue, EMR, Azure Synapse, and Data Factory.

Hybrid Technical & Strategic Mindset

Ability to bridge the gap between deep technical analysis and high‑level business strategy, delivering insights that directly support revenue growth, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency.

Strong Business Acumen

Comfort operating at the intersection of data science, finance, and product strategy, with an understanding of key business drivers and KPI’s in consumer lending and asset‑backed finance.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

A self‑starter mentality with a passion for building, optimizing, and scaling data‑driven systems and solutions from the ground up

Salary range

$110,000 - $115,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.

To support your health and wellness goals, Kawasaki provides a comprehensive benefits program dedicated to the well‑being of our employees and their families.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Pet insurance
• 401(k) match
• Life and Disability benefits
• Generous PTO policy
• Up to 12 paid company holidays
• Employee discounts on Kawasaki products
• Onsite fitness center
• Kawasaki Kafe

KMRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with KMRF is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.