Remote Principal Data Scientist - Real-Time Payments ML

Eliassen Group; Helena (MT); Remote; USD 117,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401k with company matching

Life insurance

Job summary

Eliassen Group seeks a Principal Data Scientist to scale Data Science and AI for end-to-end payment optimization. You will design and deploy real-time models, mentor senior data scientists, and lead cross-functional initiatives from architecture to production-grade ML solutions.

Role balances strategic leadership with hands-on contributions across modelling, reviews, and implementation, collaborating with ML engineers, product partners, and compliance teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or related field. PhD preferred.
• 7+ years in ML research or engineering with 5+ years building large-scale, real-time ML systems in production.
• Expertise in machine learning, statistical modeling, and data analysis with strong experience across the ML lifecycle and experimentation.
• Proficiency in Python (Pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn) and strong SQL experience. NoSQL or graph databases are a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to lead solution design and execution, translating complex business requirements into actionable technology solutions.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across technical and business audiences, including executives.
• Bonus: Experience in payments, fintech, or financial services. Knowledge of payment systems such as authorization lifecycle, tokenization, fraud and risk, and real-time payments. Experience with cloud platforms including AWS, GCP, Snowflake, Databricks, or Vertex AI. Agile development experience. Background in large companies, mature ML teams, or regulated industries.

Responsibilities

• Define technical vision and strategy for data-driven product initiatives focused on payment optimization, aligned to business goals.
• Develop scalable and reusable capabilities for real-time ML models including classification, ranking, optimization, rapid experimentation, and continuous monitoring.
• Oversee and contribute to conceptualization, development, deployment, operation, validation, and maintenance of ML models and update systems.
• Establish and enforce best practices for ML modeling while evaluating and adopting modern tools, frameworks, and infrastructure.
• Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and collaboration while mentoring an elite team of data scientists.
• Partner with product, engineering, data, and compliance teams to integrate ML into products and communicate complex concepts to varied audiences.
• Collaborate with Data Science leaders to establish an operating model for ML R&D that optimizes end-to-end delivery of business value.

Skills

Python

Pandas

NumPy

scikit-learn

SQL

NoSQL

Graph databases

Machine learning

Real-time ML systems

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Stats/Math/Engineering

PhD preferred

Tools

AWS

GCP

Snowflake

Databricks

Vertex AI

Job description

Eliassen Group seeks a Principal Data Scientist to scale Data Science and AI for end-to-end payment optimization. You will design and deploy real-time models, mentor senior data scientists, and lead cross-functional initiatives from architecture to production-grade ML solutions.

Role balances strategic leadership with hands-on contributions across modelling, reviews, and implementation, collaborating with ML engineers, product partners, and compliance teams.