Model Risk Senior Analyst - Validation (AIML, GenAI, Technology)

M&T Bank Corporation; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 113,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

M&T Bank Corporation is seeking a Senior Model Validation Analyst in Wilmington, DE to lead end-to-end validations of Gen-AI and AI/ML models. The role requires strong quantitative expertise, collaboration with Cybersecurity, Credit Risk, Finance, and Private Wealth, and a track record of rigorous validation practices.

Location is on-site in Wilmington with a salary range of $113,300.00 to $188,800.00 annually (USD).

Qualifications

• Master's or Doctoral Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Business Engineering, Econometrics, or Science-based discipline.
• Strong knowledge of Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
• Proficiency in Python, PyTorch, Git, R, or similar tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end validation of several model families, focusing on Gen-AI and AI/ML models.
• Validate expert judgment or qualitative factors that augment quantitative models with proper controls and documentation.
• Perform benchmarking, back-testing, sensitivity analysis, and stress testing.
• Maintain high-quality documentation of validation work, findings, and conclusions for audit and regulatory review.
• Collaborate with model developers, business stakeholders, and risk managers to communicate validation outcomes and drive improvements.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

Git

R

NLP

LLMs

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in quantitative discipline

5–10+ years in model validation/analytics

Tools

GitHub

Jupyter

SQL

RStudio

Job description

Overview:

The Senior Model Validation Analyst is responsible for executing robust, independent validations of quantitative and qualitative models across the enterprise. This role serves as a key control function within Model Risk Management (MRM), ensuring models are conceptually sound, empirically validated, and compliant with regulatory and internal standards.

Primary Responsibilities:

Lead end-to-end validation of several model families, with a focus on Gen-AI and AI/ML Models. Experience working with or validating cybersecurity models is preferred. Conduct the validation and analysis of expert judgment or qualitative factors that augment quantitative models; review to confirm proper controls and adequate documentation are in place. Perform independent challenge of model methodologies, benchmarking, back-testing, sensitivity analysis, and stress testing. Maintain high-quality documentation of validation work, findings, and conclusions to withstand internal audit and regulatory scrutiny. Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable. Support remediation of validation, audit, and regulatory findings. Partner with model developers, business stakeholders, and risk managers to communicate validation outcomes, challenge assumptions, and recommend improvements.

Scope of Responsibilities:

Independently manage multiple validation projects. Partner with business lines including Technology and Cybersecurity, Credit Risk, Finance, and Private Wealth. Balance regulatory expectations with business objectives. Contribute to continuous improvement of validation practices and governance.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

Individual contributor with opportunities to mentor junior analysts and provide technical guidance.

Education and Experience Required:

Master's or Doctoral Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Business Engineering, Econometrics, or Science-based discipline, Plus 4 years’ experience in model development or validation, with a combined minimum of >5 years’ higher education and relevant work experience. Technical knowledge of advanced software packages used in analytics.

Education and Experience Preferred:

Master's or PhD in a quantitative discipline (Computer Science, Software Engineering, Statistics, Mathematics). 5–10+ years in model validation, development, or quantitative analytics. Strong knowledge of Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and Natural Language Processing (NLP). Good knowledge of model risk, SR 11-07, SR 26-2, and regulatory expectations. Proficiency in Python, PyTorch, Git, R, or similar tools. Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Location Wilmington, Delaware, United States of America

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $113,300.00 - $188,800.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Great companies have an enduring sense of purpose. At M&T, our purpose is a simple one: make a difference in people’s lives and uplift the communities we serve.

M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T’s affiliates offer advice, guidance, expertise and solutions across the entire financial spectrum, combining M&T Bank’s traditional banking services with the wealth management and institutional capabilities offered by Wilmington Trust.

M&T Bank has a network of over 1,000 branches and 2,200 ATMs that span 12 states from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. For more than 165years, M&T has strived to take an active role in our communities and build long-lasting relationships with our customers. We are a bank for communities—combining the capabilities of a large bank with the care of a locally focused institution.

As an employer of choice, we are proud to offer competitive benefits ranging from medical and retirement to forty hours of paid volunteer time, each year.

Our core values – integrity, ownership, collaboration, curiosity, and candor – drive the work we do. We seek to further build upon our record of success by bringing in top talent and fresh skill sets while continuing to support the growth and development of all our team members. View M&T’s Human Capital Report to learn more.

M&T Bank is unwavering when it comes to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, age, disability, citizenship, pregnancy, veteran status, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local laws.

M&T Bank Corporation has policies and procedures in place to promote a drug free workplace.