Senior Data Scientist

Sofi; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

SoFi is seeking a Compliance Senior Data Scientist to advance AML model development, validation, and governance. You will lead the design, testing, and deployment of risk-based customer screening and transaction monitoring models across banking, brokerage, and lending products, ensuring regulatory alignment and robust data infrastructure.

The role emphasizes collaboration with AML Governance and cross-functional teams, delivering MI dashboards, and maintaining model risk management documentation

Qualifications

• Degree in Statistics, CS, Mathematics, Finance, Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years in finance focusing on BSA/AML, OFAC, or fraud analytics.
• Strong SQL and Python for predictive modeling and data validation.

Responsibilities

• Lead AML model development, validation and monitoring across multiple product lines.
• Architect advanced AML models using ML and statistical methods.
• Ensure models comply with regulatory requirements and governance standards.
• Develop governance docs and maintain audit-ready validation artifacts.

Skills

SQL

Python

AML governance

Machine learning

Data analysis

Statistical modeling

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Statistics/CS/Math/Finance/Engineering

Tools

Tableau

DataDog

Monte Carlo

Snowflake

Terraform

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

The 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. SoFi offers reasonable accommodations to candidates with physical or mental disabilities. If you need accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, please let your recruiter know or email [e-mail].

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