Staff Data Scientist, Algorithm - Financial Markets

Airwallex; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Airwallex is seeking a professional in San Francisco to manage their risk portfolio and analyze financial market risks. The role demands strong statistical and machine learning skills, along with over 5 years of experience in a quantitative field and an advanced degree. Candidates should possess expertise in SQL and Python. The compensation range for this position is between $200K - $250K, reflecting the critical nature of this role in supporting Airwallex's growth and innovation in global financial services.

Qualifications

• 5+ years industry experience in a quantitative field.
• Strong understanding of financial markets and trading systems.
• Experience presenting analytical results to executives.

Responsibilities

• Manage Airwallex’s risk portfolio with actionable insights.
• Apply statistical models to estimate financial risks.
• Collaborate with stakeholders for data-driven recommendations.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Machine learning

Data querying languages

Python

Financial markets understanding

Education

Advanced degree (PhD or MS) in a quantitative field

Tools

SQL

R

Job description

About Airwallex

Airwallex is the only unified payments and financial platform for global businesses. Powered by our unique combination of proprietary infrastructure and software, we empower over 200,000 businesses worldwide – including Brex, Rippling, Navan, Qantas, SHEIN and many more – with fully integrated solutions to manage everything from business accounts, payments, spend management and treasury, to embedded finance at a global scale.

Proudly founded in Melbourne, we have a team of over 2,000 of the brightest and most innovative people in tech across 26 offices around the globe. Valued at US$8 billion and backed by world-leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Visa, Mastercard, Robinhood Ventures, Sequoia, Salesforce Ventures, DST Global, and Lone Pine Capital, Airwallex is leading the charge in building the global payments and financial platform of the future. If you’re ready to do the most ambitious work of your career, join us.

Attributes We Value

We hire successful builders with founder-like energy who want real impact, accelerated learning, and true ownership. You bring strong role-related expertise and sharp thinking, and you’re motivated by our mission and operating principles. You move fast with good judgment, dig deep with curiosity, and make decisions from first principles, balancing speed and rigor.

You're humble and collaborative; turn zero‑to‑one ideas into real products, and you “get stuff done” end-to-end. You use AI to work smarter and solve problems faster. Here, you’ll tackle complex, high‑visibility problems with exceptional teammates and grow your career as we build the future of global banking. If that sounds like you, let’s build what’s next.

The Team

As a global team, we span across Australia, China, USA, and Singapore, revolutionizing applied data science, data engineering and platform solutions to support Airwallex's rapid growth. You will collaborate with a diverse range of cross-functional partners, including Product, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Finance, and more, to tackle complex data problems and shape the future of fintech.

The Role

• Effectively manage Airwallex’s risk portfolio, delivering actionable insights to shape our overall risk strategy within financial markets
• Apply statistical and/or machine learning models to estimate financial markets risk exposures (including FX, credit, capital, and other product risks), and optimize market forecasting, order routing, fund efficiency, and pricing decisions
• Partner with Product Managers, Traders, Risk, Engineering, and other stakeholders to deliver data-driven recommendations that support commercial and operational objectives
• Clearly present analytical results and insights to cross-functional teams to influence business strategies and decision-making

Who You Are

We\'re looking for people who meet the minimum qualifications for this role. The preferred qualifications are great to have, but are not mandatory.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years industry experience and an advanced degree (PhD or MS) in a quantitative field (e.g. Statistics, Engineering, Sciences, Computer Science, Economics)
• Strong understanding of financial markets, foreign exchange, and/or dynamic trading systems is a plus
• Experience with communicating the results of analyses to executives and cross-functional teams to influence the strategy
• Expert in data querying languages (e.g. SQL), scripting languages (e.g. Python), and/or statistical/mathematical software (e.g. R), experience in schema design and dimensional data modeling a plus
• Ability to perform statistical analysis and develop machine learning models to drive data-informed decisions

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in technology, financial services, trading environment and/or a high growth environment is advantageous

Applicant Safety Policy: Fraud and Third-Party Recruiters

To protect you from recruitment scams, please be aware that Airwallex will not ask for bank details, sensitive ID numbers (i.e. passport), or any form of payment during the application or interview process. All official communication will come from an @airwallex.com email address. Please apply only through careers.airwallex.com or our official LinkedIn page.

Airwallex does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms/recruiters. Airwallex will not pay any fees to search firms/recruiters if a candidate is submitted by a search firm/recruiter unless an agreement has been entered into with respect to specific open position(s). Search firms/recruiters submitting resumes to Airwallex on an unsolicited basis shall be deemed to accept this condition, regardless of any other provision to the contrary.

Equal opportunity

Airwallex is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and anyone seeking employment at Airwallex is considered based on merit, qualifications, competence and talent. We don’t regard color, religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, citizenship, sex, marital or family status, disability, gender, or any other legally protected status when making our hiring decisions. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Compensation Range: $200K - $250K