Senior Data Scientist

SoFi; New York (NY); On-site; USD 145,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SoFi in New York is seeking a Compliance Senior Data Scientist to advance AML model development, optimization, and validation across banking, brokerage and lending platforms. You will design and test risk-based customer screening, transaction monitoring, and data-driven AML insights to support enterprise-wide risk coverage.

You will lead AML governance, ensure regulatory alignment in model design, and deliver real-time dashboards for senior management.

Qualifications

• Experience in finance AML/BSA/OFAC or fraud modeling analytics.
• 3+ years in the finance industry focusing on AML.
• Proficiency in SQL and Python for data analysis.
• Ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and optimize AML models for risk-based customer screening and monitoring.
• Lead governance activities including risk assessments and audits.
• Architect advanced AML models using ML and statistical methods.
• Document methodology, data sources and validation results.
• Produce dashboards and management info for AML metrics.

Job description

Employee Applicant Privacy Notice

Who we are: Shape a brighter financial future with us.

Together with our members, we’re changing the way people think about and interact with personal finance.

We’re a next-generation financial services company and national bank using innovative, mobile-first technology to help our millions of members reach their goals. The industry is going through an unprecedented transformation, and we’re at the forefront. We’re proud to come to work every day knowing that what we do has a direct impact on people’s lives, with our core values guiding us every step of the way.

Join us to invest in yourself, your career, and the financial world.

Role

The Compliance Senior Data Scientist will be responsible for assisting the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance program with model development, model optimization, model validation, management information reporting, AML system integration, AML data infrastructure and AML data architecture to effectively fight financial crime. Additionally, this role will also support AML governance initiatives including risk assessments and internal/external inquiries.

What you’ll do

• Facilitate AML model development, implementation, optimization, assessment and validation of risk-based customer screening, transaction screening, transaction monitoring and AML customer risk rating covering multiple product lines, including banking, brokerage and lending to ensure sound risk coverage across the enterprise


• Maintain, test and configure AML vendor solutions to ensure conceptually sound design, proper implementation, and acceptable model performance.


• Research, compile and evaluate large sets of data to assess quality, integrity and completeness to determine suitability for AML model development.


• Architect and lead the design of advanced AML models utilizing machine learning and statistical modeling methods for supervised and unsupervised learning.


• Exercise flexibility in selecting model architectures, algorithms, third-party libraries, and development workflows, provided they align with project objectives and organizational requirements.


• Ensure AML compliance and regulatory requirements are embedded in the model design.


• Document modeling methodology, data sources, assumptions, and validation results.


• Lead governance and quality control across the full AML model lifecycle including code reviews, validation of methodology, input data integrity, and performance metrics.


• Ensure adherence to the organization’s established ML framework, coding conventions, documentation standards, and model risk management policies, embedding AML compliance and regulatory requirements into design and deployment.


• Oversee documentation and review processes for internal model validation, external regulatory examinations, and cross-functional approvals, while supporting resolution of development blockers and coordinating with key stakeholders.


• Develop governance documentation related to tuning efforts, parameter changes and data validation for AML transaction monitoring to ensure a comprehensive audit trail is maintained.


• Track and report results of tuning and optimization activities and model performance to senior management.


• Develop robust management information dashboards displaying real-time or near real-time AML metrics.


• Partner with and advise the AML Governance Unit by providing necessary data for AML Risk Assessments, internal/external audit examinations and other regulatory requirements.

What you’ll need

• Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Finance, Computer Science, Engineering or other relevant areas.


• 3+ years of experience in the finance industry focusing on BSA/AML, OFAC, or fraud modeling/analytics.


• Statistical/data analytical skills, including data quality validation, and predictive modeling experience in SQL and Python.


• Knowledge of and ability to leverage traditional databases, cloud-based computing, and distributed computing.


• Track record of leading AML governance-related initiatives, such as risk assessments, internal/external audits and other regulatory requirements.


• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization and across different business lines.

Nice to Have

• Knowledge of AML regulations and the USA PATRIOT Act.


• Familiarity with regulatory guidance on Model Risk Management (Federal Reserve SR Letter 11-7, OCC Bulletin 2011-12, FDIC FIL 22-2017, DFS504)


• Experience with data visualization (e.g., Tableau)


• Experience with data monitoring systems (e.g., DataDog, Monte Carlo)


• Experience with cloud data infrastructure (e.g., Snowflake)


• Experience with automated transaction monitoring (e.g., Verafin)


• Experience with customer/transaction screening (e.g., LexisNexis)


• Experience with infrastructure automation software (e.g., Terraform)


• Familiarity with virtualization and containerization (e.g., Docker)


• Familiarity with container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes)


• CAMS certification preferred

Compensation And Benefits

The base pay range for this role is listed below. Final base pay offer will be determined based on individual factors such as the candidate’s experience, skills, and location.

To view all of our comprehensive and competitive benefits, visit our Benefits at SoFi page!

SoFi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, breastfeeding, and conditions related to breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age (40 or over), physical or medical disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military and/or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable state or federal law.

The Company hires the best qualified candidate for the job, without regard to protected characteristics.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

New York applicants: Notice of Employee Rights

SoFi is committed to an inclusive culture. As part of this commitment, SoFi offers reasonable accommodations to candidates with physical or mental disabilities.

Due to insurance coverage issues, we are unable to accommodate remote work from Hawaii or Alaska at this time.