Lead Data Scientist

Prism Data; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Equity-based compensation

401(k) plan

Job summary

A leading financial technology company is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to innovate their core product. In this role, you will conduct R&D for advanced data science solutions, contributing to the company's position in the credit scoring industry. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in machine learning and financial analytics, with at least four years of relevant experience. The position offers a competitive salary and the flexibility of hybrid work in San Diego.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience as a Data Scientist or Statistician, preferably in credit risk.
• Research & development of new attributes and models.
• Experience with cash flow underwriting analytics.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and advance existing analytical product suite.
• Develop next-generation versions of products.
• Support sales and educate clients on product usage.

Skills

Data Science

Predictive Modeling

Machine Learning

Statistical Analysis

Client Communication

Python

SQL

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Data Science, Math, or similar

Tools

Gradient Boosting

Natural Language Processing

Job description

Hybrid in NYC or San Diego (La Jolla/UTC); Remote

About Prism Data

Prism Data is building the future of credit scoring with modern technology and data science. Prism’s platform enables banks and other lenders to utilize automated cash flow underwriting—analyzing detailed banking history alongside traditional credit history in an instant—to improve financial decisions, expand credit approvals, lower losses, and more. Prism’s API-based, no-PII platform translates raw transaction data from any source into actionable insights and scores including the market-leading CashScore® for credit risk management. Prism works with some of the biggest banks and fastest growing fintechs in the country and Prism’s technology has been used to power billions of dollars worth of credit originations and to improve millions of credit decisions. Prism is well-funded and backed by large financial institutions like Synchrony and Citi, as well as top VCs like Obvious Ventures, Core Innovation Capital, and Valar Ventures.

Position Overview:

At the heart of Prism’s offering is Data Science—not just as a technical function, but as the core product. As such, the Lead Data Scientist plays a uniquely central role in the company’s success, with direct influence on product innovation, commercial strategy, and company-wide decision making.

Prism is seeking a Lead Data Scientist who will make high-impact, hands-on contributions that sustain and advance Prism’s industry-leading position. Reporting directly to the Head of Data Science, the Lead Data Scientist will conduct R&D for next-generation solutions, test and present Prism products’ effectiveness at solving prospects’ and clients’ business problems, produce insights that inform external thought leadership, collaborate with cross-functional partners to enhance operations, and play a senior individual contributor role on a growing team of data scientists. The role presents a rare opportunity to make a measurable difference at a critical inflection point for both Prism and the credit scoring and lending industries.

What You’ll Do:

Maintain and advance existing analytical product suite

Enhance core cash flow underwriting offerings as new data elements become available.

Develop next-generation versions of products to boost stability, predictive accuracy, and relevancy to emerging use cases.

Develop new products for new market opportunities using novel data assets.

Demonstrate best practices in transparent modeling approaches to enable easy client adoption.

Support sales, revenue attainment, and thought leadership

Conduct proof of concept analyses of the efficacy of Prism products in the context of clients’ business problems, and present results and insights.

Support new and existing clients by guiding them on score cutoffs and the use of powerful custom attribute sets for their business.

Educate clients on technical product knowledge.

Contribute analysis to thought leadership content delivered by Prism executives in white papers and industry conferences.

Streamline technical operations

Support product implementations in the proprietary platform that powers the products and enables high performance.

Monitor product performance to ensure stability and power. Identify issues and improvement opportunities.

Ensure internal processes are scalable, repeatable, and continuously improving, especially with the proof of concept analysis process.

Lead and communicate

Successfully improvise and handle new situations using judgment and expertise developed through experience.

Own time and task management of assigned projects, some of which may include coordinating the contributions of others.

Demonstrate exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication of complex technical information in a simplified manner to various audiences.

Independently and effectively engage in cross-team discussions to direct deliverables, deadlines and handoffs.

Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Data Science, Math, Industrial Engineering, or similar quantitative discipline required. Master’s or PhD is a plus.

Professional Experience

4+ years of experience as a Data Scientist or Statistician, preferably in credit risk or financial services.

Research & development of new attributes, models, decision strategies, and/or analytic capabilities.

Customer-facing testing of data or analytic solutions (e.g., credit risk scores, alternative data, fraud prevention, etc.).

Cash flow underwriting analytics experience is a strong plus.

Collaboration with business teams to understand and address business problems.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

Modeling experience in the latest AI and machine learning approaches. Mastery of rudimentary modeling approaches (e.g., regression, decision trees). Expertise building Gradient Boosting models is a plus. Experience with Natural Language Processing, Large and Small Language Models, and transformer models is a strong differentiator.

Knowledge of data labeling/categorization, feature development and selection, model design and training, testing, coding, implementation, monitoring, and governance.

Financial services industry data expertise, including types of data sources applicable to different types of business decisions based on regulatory factors.

Experience evaluating alternative statistical approaches, including review of academic papers on new techniques and ideas, and justifying which approach is best suited for which problems and why.

to mentor and QA the hands-on work of junior data scientists.

Languages: Python, SQL.

Other Information:

Target base salary for this role is between $140,000 and $160,000 per year. Prism also offers additional equity-based compensation. Prism provides a comprehensive benefit plan, including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k). Pay is based on factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience and skillset, and location. Pay and benefits are subject to change at any time, consistent with the terms of any applicable compensation or benefit plans.

Prism is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity company. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion or religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes age, military or veteran status, disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Prism is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. Please let us know if you need assistance with your application or interviews due to a disability.