Machine Learning Engineer II (Underwriting ML)

Affirm; Madison (WI); Remote; USD 146,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% subsidized medical coverage

Monthly tech stipends

Flexible time off

ESPP stock purchase plan

Job summary

Affirm is a remote-first company building underwriting ML systems to assess repayment risk in real time. On the Underwriting ML team, you’ll develop and productionize models and feature pipelines, collaborating with data, risk analytics, and platform teams to deliver reliable decisions across the checkout flow.

We look for 2+ years in ML engineering, Python proficiency, experience with LightGBM/XGBoost/CatBoost, PyTorch, Spark, and ML lifecycle tools.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience as a machine learning engineer or a PhD in a relevant field.
• Strong Python skills and experience writing production-quality code.
• Experience building and evaluating models for classification problems (GBDTs like LightGBM/XGBoost/CatBoost).
• Experience with PyTorch.
• Experience with distributed data processing (Spark).
• Experience with ML lifecycle tooling (Kubeflow, Airflow, MLflow).
• Proficient with AI-powered developer tools to accelerate iteration and code quality.
• Ability to work across a large code base and perform reviews.
• Strong communication and ownership mindset.

Responsibilities

• You will develop and iterate on underwriting prediction models using a mix of approaches for tabular and sequential data.
• You will build and scale feature pipelines and training datasets from proprietary and third-party signals.
• You will prototype new modeling ideas and features, run offline experiments, and productionize best-performing approaches.
• You will help productionize models: integrate into batch and/or real-time decision systems, and improve reliability and latency.
• You will instrument and monitor model and data health, and help define retraining/backtesting workflows.
• You will collaborate across Engineering, Risk Analytics, Product, and ML Platform to define requirements and communicate results clearly.

Skills

Python

Production-quality code

ML modeling

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

LightGBM

XGBoost

CatBoost

PyTorch

Spark

Ray

Dask

Kubeflow

Airflow

MLflow

Job description

At Affim, we exist for the moments that matter—giving people a clear, predictable way to pay over time, with no hidden fees, no surprises, and no tradeoffs on what matters most.

On the Underwriting ML team, you’ll build and improve machine learning systems that make real-time transaction decisions, assessing the repayment risk and expected value of every affirm checkout. You’ll work closely with experienced ML engineers, platform partners, and cross-functional stakeholders to take models from idea to prototype to production, and to keep them healthy with strong measurement and monitoring as user behavior and macroeconomic conditions evolve.

What You’ll Do

• You will develop and iterate on underwriting prediction models using a mix of approaches for tabular and sequential data
• You will build and scale feature pipelines and training datasets from proprietary and third-party signals, partnering with data and platform teams when needed.
• You will prototype new modeling ideas and features, run offline experiments, and drive the best-performing approaches into production with appropriate risk controls.
• You will help productionize models: integrate into batch and/or real-time decision systems, and improve reliability, latency, and operational robustness.
• You will instrument and monitor model and data health, and help define retraining/backtesting workflows
• You will collaborate across Engineering, Risk Analytics, Product, and ML Platform to define requirements, evaluate tradeoffs, and communicate results clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

What We Look For

• You have a total of 2+ years of experience as a machine learning engineer or a PhD in a relevant field.
• Strong Python skills and experience writing production-quality code.
• Experience building and evaluating models for classification problems (preferably gradient-boosted decision trees like LightGBM/XGBoost/CatBoost, or similar).
• Experience with a deep learning framework (PyTorch preferred).
• Experience working with distributed data processing or parallel compute frameworks (Spark preferred; Ray/Dask or similar).
• Experience with ML lifecycle tooling for training orchestration, experimentation, and model monitoring (e.g., Kubeflow, Airflow, MLflow, or equivalent internal platforms).
• Proficient in using AI-powered developer tools (e.g., Claude Code, Cursor, or similar) to accelerate iteration, debugging, and code quality as part of day-to-day development workflows.
• You have mastered taking a simple problem or business scenario into a solution that interacts with multiple software components, and executing on it by writing clear, easily understood, well tested and extensible code.
• You are comfortable navigating a large code base, debugging others' code, and providing feedback to other engineers through code reviews.
• Your experience demonstrates that you take ownership of your growth, proactively seeking feedback from your team, your manager, and your stakeholders.
• You have strong verbal and written communication skills that support effective collaboration with our global engineering team.
• This position requires either equivalent practical experience or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Pay Grade - L

Equity Grade - 6

Employees new to affirm typically come in at the start of the pay range.

Affirm focuses on providing a simple and transparent pay structure which is based on a variety of factors, including location, experience and job-related skills.

Base pay is part of a total compensation package that may include equity rewards, monthly stipends for health, wellness and tech spending, and benefits (including 100% subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision for you and your dependents.)

USA base pay range (CA, WA, NY, NJ, CT) per year: $165,000 - $225,000

USA base pay range (all other U.S. states) per year: $146,000 - $206,000

Remote-first with flexibility built in

Affirm is proud to be a remote-first company. Most roles can be done from almost anywhere within the country of employment. Some positions may occasionally require in-person work at an Affim office, and a few are office-based due to the nature of the work. All new hires will be invited to attend an in-person onboarding experience.

Benefits Designed For You

Our benefits reflect our commitment to care, transparency, and flexibility. Here are a few highlights:

• Health coverage at no cost: We cover 100% of premiums for employees and their dependents.
• Spending stipends: Monthly stipends support your tech setup, and the ability to choose health and wellness options that are right for you.
• Time off to recharge: Flexible time off and generous holiday calendars help you rest when you need to.
• Own a piece of what you build: Our employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) lets you buy Affim stock at a discount.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive interview process, including accommodations for candidates with disabilities. If you need support, we’re happy to help.

For positions based in San Francisco or Los Angeles: affirm considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, as required by law.