Lead Risk Data Scientist & ML Engineer

Global Payments; Alpharetta (GA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Payments is seeking a hands-on Lead Risk Data Scientist & ML Engineer in Alpharetta, GA to own end-to-end detection models for fraud, AML, and credit risk. You will design, validate, deploy, and continuously optimize AI-powered workflows, driving model performance with production data and governance aligned with regulatory expectations.

You will partner with Risk, Compliance, and Technology to implement scalable data pipelines and agentic systems, mentoring a small but impact-driven team

Qualifications

• 7+ years in data science, machine learning or MLOps.
• Hands-on experience deploying detection models (fraud/AML/credit risk).
• Experience with AI-assisted workflows and agentic frameworks.
• Familiarity with regulated financial services and SR 11-7 is a plus.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end ML model lifecycle: design, deployment, monitoring, and refinement.
• Lead AI-assisted analyst workflows and agent-based systems for risk operations.
• Define and refine detection strategies for fraud patterns and regulatory needs.
• Collaborate with Risk, Compliance, and Technology to align governance and change management.
• Provide mentorship and leadership to data scientists and engineers.

Skills

Python

SQL

MLOps

Databricks

Snowflake

SageMaker

Git

GitHub Actions

CI/CD

Model monitoring

Retraining pipelines

AWS Lambda

LLMs

Agentic frameworks

LangChain

Tools

Claude

GPT

AWS AgentCore

LangChain

Regulatory tooling

Job description

Job DescriptionJob Posting DescriptionReady to take your career global?Make your mark at one of the biggest names in payments. We are seeking a hands-on Lead Risk Data Scientist & ML Engineer to own the full lifecycle of fraud detection and risk models. This role combines deep data science expertise with practical AI/agentic workflow experience and the infrastructure knowledge needed to ship at scale.What You’ll OwnIn this role, you'll own the end-to-end delivery of detection models and AI-assisted workflows that power fraud, credit, and AML risk operations. You'll drive model performance through the full lifecycle, from design and validation through production deployment and continuous optimization. You'll translate regulatory requirements and operational needs into detection strategies and technical execution plans, partner across Risk, Compliance, and Technology to ensure alignment, and lead project teams through complex, ambiguous detection challenges. This is a hands-on role that combines deep technical leadership with pragmatic problem-solving in a small, high-impact team.Model Development & Deployment (End-to-End)Own the full lifecycle of ML models: design, development, validation, deployment, and serving in productionLead model performance monitoring and continuous refinement using production data and investigation outcomesEnsure models are explainable, auditable, and aligned with regulatory expectationsDesign and oversee scalable batch and real-time data pipelines supporting model development and servingAI & Agentic WorkflowsDesign and deploy AI-assisted analyst workflows using LLMs and agentic frameworksGuide the development of agent-based systems that augment human decision-making in risk operationsWork at the pilot/proof-of-concept stage, establishing best practices for scaleDetection Strategy & PerformanceDefine and refine detection strategies based on emerging fraud patterns and regulatory requirementsMaintain and monitor key performance metrics (precision, recall, false positives, alert quality)Influence tradeoff decisions between detection coverage, operational cost, and false positive ratesGovernance & Regulatory AlignmentDefine governance standards for model development, validation, documentation, and change managementEnsure compliance with regulatory expectations (BSA/AML, OFAC, FinCEN, SR 11-7)Partner with Model Risk Management and Compliance to support validation and regulatory reviewsCross-Functional PartnershipServe as the primary technical partner to Fraud Operations, Compliance, and Technology teamsTranslate regulatory and operational requirements into technical execution plansDrive alignment across teams to enable effective detection capability implementationTeam Leadership & Project OwnershipLead cross-functional project teams through ML model and AI workflow development, from conception to deploymentEstablish clear priorities, performance expectations, and delivery accountability for project workProvide technical guidance and mentorship to data scientists and engineers executing on risk initiativesBuild and strengthen team capabilities across detection modeling, data engineering, and AI/agentic systemsWhat you’ll bring:Experience7+ years in data science, machine learning or MLOpsProven experience developing, deploying, and maintaining detection models (fraud, AML, or credit risk) in production environmentsHands-on experience with AI-assisted workflows, LLMs, and agentic frameworks (including pilot-stage deployments)Experience in regulated financial services or fintech environments preferredExposure to model risk management frameworks (SR 11-7) and regulatory interactionsTechnical & Domain ExpertiseStrong proficiency in Python and SQLMLOps experience: Git, GitHub Actions, CI/CD practices, model monitoring, retraining pipelines, infrastructure automationHands-on experience with data science platforms (Databricks, Snowflake, AWS SageMaker)AWS ecosystem expertise: SageMaker, Glue, Lambda, EventBridge, and related servicesFamiliarity with LLM and agentic frameworks: foundational models (Claude, GPT, etc.), agent orchestration tools (AWS AgentCore, LangChain, etc.)Understanding of fraud typologies, AML transaction monitoring methodologies, and detection system designLeadership ProfileResourceful and versatile: thrives in a small, fast-moving team; comfortable wearing multiple hats and delivering with constrained resourcesStartup mentality: pragmatic problem-solver who ships solutions; bias toward execution and measurable outcomesCombines technical depth with collaborative leadership. Guides project teams through ambiguous problems and drives clarity, structure, and deliveryCollaborates effectively across Risk, Compliance, and Technology functions; comfortable operating in ambiguity and translating strategy into actionAbout the teamOur inclusive and global teams win together every day. We’re proud to have the best minds in the industry, who you can learn from as you grow your career. The people, the energy, the connections – it’s unmatched. Come and be part of an ever-evolving company and get dynamic opportunities that go beyond borders.What makes a Globalpayer?Globalpayers think like a client, act like an owner and win as one team. We’re curious and innovative –always finding better ways to deliver impact. We empower each other to make decisions, and it’s our passion that drives excellence in everything we set out to do.#LI-BJ1EEOC StatementGlobal Payments is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, genetic information, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics. The EEO is the Law poster is available here.If you are made a conditional offer of employment and will be working in the United States, you will be required to undergo a drug test. In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies and requirements needed to successfully perform the position. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for individuals with qualified disabilities both during the hiring process, as well as to allow the individual to perform the essential functions of the job, if hired.Washington Candidates: Click here for information on the Fair Chance Act.