Senior Non-QM Underwriter

Kind Lending | NMLS #3925; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Kind Lending is seeking a Senior Non-QM Underwriter to drive informed credit decisions and efficient loan evaluation. You will assess income types, review borrower documents, and apply sound underwriting judgment to protect quality standards.

Candidates should bring 4+ years in Non-QM under"writing, strong knowledge of guidelines, and experience with mortgage technology solutions. A collaborative, high-volume environment awaits.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience as a Non-QM Underwriter.
• 5+ years of prior underwriting experience.
• Solid knowledge of NON-QM and FNMA underwriting guidelines and requirements.
• In-depth knowledge of mortgage regulations, compliance standards, and industry best practices.
• Expertise in mortgage underwriting software and technology solutions; preferred knowledge of Blue Sage LOS.
• Strong command of manual underwriting requirements within NON-QM programs.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex financial information.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite Non-QM residential mortgage loan applications per guidelines.
• Review borrower credit profiles, income docs, tax returns, statements, assets, and liabilities.
• Apply underwriting judgement to evaluate complex loan scenarios and risks.
• Communicate decisions, conditions, and risk assessments clearly to partners.
• Collaborate with sales, operations, and partners to resolve issues and speed processing.
• Maintain pipeline with productivity and quality standards.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior underwriters.

Skills

Non-QM Underwriter

Credit Analysis

Regulatory Knowledge

Mortgage Guidelines

Communication

Risk Assessment

Financial Analysis

Analytical Thinking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance/Related Field

Tools

Blue Sage LOS

Job description

The Team

At Kind Lending, our family of diverse and talented Kind Ambassadors are the driving force behind our new approach to the mortgage experience. They're the heart and soul of the organization and our "People Before Profits" mentality shines through in every department. Kind Lending is growing and is looking for top mortgage professionals who value opportunity, lasting business partnerships, and who live out our KIND mindset. Kind Lending is determined to provide the best service in the industry while also providing homebuyers with a great selection of products to enhance their buying experience. Backed by our trusted leadership team, Kind Lending's friendly and professional model puts the “fun” in funding.

Brief Description

At Kind Lending, our family of diverse and talented Kind Ambassadors are the driving force behind our new approach to the mortgage experience. They're the heart and soul of the organization and our "People Before Profits" mentality shines through in every department. Kind Lending is growing and is looking for top mortgage professionals who value opportunity, lasting business partnerships, and who live out our KIND mindset. Kind Lending is determined to provide the best service in the industry while also providing homebuyers with a great selection of products to enhance their buying experience. Backed by our trusted leadership team, Kind Lending's friendly and professional model puts the “fun” in funding.

Position Summary

As a Senior Non-QM Underwriter you will be responsible for making informed credit decisions and to ensure efficient and accurate evaluation of loan applications while maintaining minimum productivity and quality standards. Your strategic mindset and proficiency in underwriting practices contribute to informed decision-making and the overall success of the organization's lending operations.

Location

Fully Remote schedule available for CENTRAL TIME ZONE.

Pay Disclosure

The starting base hourly rate of pay range for this position is $48.00 - $55.00 per hour. The actual base is dependent on many factors such as: work experience, business needs, market demands, and other compensation components. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This position is eligible for performance-based incentive compensation in addition to base salary, subject to achievement of individual, team, and company performance objectives.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience as a Non-QM Underwriter
• 5+ years of prior underwriting experience
• Solid knowledge of NON-QM and FNMA underwriting guidelines and requirements.
• Focus on income type products such as DSCR, Bank Statement, Asset Utilization, 1099, WVOE Only, as well as traditional Full Doc income calculations.
• In-depth knowledge of mortgage regulations, compliance standards, and industry best practices.
• Expertise in mortgage underwriting software and technology solutions; preferred knowledge of Blue Sage LOS.
• Strong command of manual underwriting requirements within NON-QM programs.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex financial information and assess credit and operational risk.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to interact with internal and external stakeholders.
• Problem-solving skills to address challenging underwriting scenarios and provide guidance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to develop strong relationships with sales partners, direct reports, and internal stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and self-motivated with the ability to prioritize competing demands in a high-volume environment.
• Ability to consistently maintain high levels of performance under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite Non-QM residential mortgage loan applications in accordance with company, investor, and regulatory guidelines.
• Perform comprehensive credit analysis by reviewing borrower credit profiles, income documentation, tax returns, bank statements, asset documentation, liabilities, and overall financial capacity.
• Apply sound manual underwriting expertise and credit judgment to evaluate complex loan scenarios and make informed lending decisions.
• Assess borrower creditworthiness, identify compensating factors, and appropriately evaluate and mitigate credit risk.
• Recognize, investigate, and respond to potential fraud indicators and other material underwriting concerns.
• Review appraisals and collateral documentation to validate property values and ensure compliance with acceptable collateral standards.
• Accurately communicate underwriting decisions, conditions, and risk assessments to brokers, correspondents, loan officers, account executives, and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with sales, operations, and business partners to resolve complex underwriting issues and facilitate efficient loan processing.
• Conduct thorough reviews of loan documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and adherence to underwriting guidelines and quality standards.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of Non-QM products, agency and non-agency guidelines, mortgage regulations, and industry best practices.
• Manage an assigned pipeline effectively while meeting established productivity, service level, and turn-time expectations.
• Support quality assurance initiatives through consistent application of underwriting standards and sound risk management practices.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for complex Non-QM loan scenarios and guideline interpretations.
• Perform quality reviews and provide feedback to ensure consistency, accuracy, and adherence to underwriting standards.
• Partner with management to identify process improvements and support underwriting best practices across the organization.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and underwriting support to junior underwriters and team members.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Competencies

• Be a Kind Ambassador: Consistently ask for new business opportunities, extend KIND gestures, and drive growth by fostering relationships with potential partners.
• Non-QM Product Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of Non-QM loan products, underwriting guidelines, and mortgage lending practices.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to evaluate complex borrower scenarios, identify risk factors, and make sound credit decisions.
• Financial Analysis: Strong ability to analyze personal and business tax returns, financial statements, cash flow, and complex income structures.
• Credit Risk Assessment: Ability to assess borrower creditworthiness, identify potential risks, and apply appropriate compensating factors.
• Attention to Detail: Consistently produces accurate work while reviewing large volumes of documentation and data.
• Problem Solving: Ability to navigate complex loan scenarios and develop solutions within established guidelines.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate decisions, conditions, and guideline interpretations.
• Relationship Management: Builds effective working relationships with internal partners, brokers, correspondents, and customers through professionalism and responsiveness.
• Organization & Time Management: Effectively prioritizes workload, manages competing deadlines, and maintains productivity standards.
• Compliance & Fraud Awareness: Understanding of regulatory requirements, fraud indicators, and risk mitigation practices within mortgage underwriting.
• Technical Expertise: Advanced knowledge of complex Non-QM transactions, guideline interpretation, and exception analysis.
• Influence & Mentorship: Provides guidance and serves as a resource to peers and business partners on underwriting best practices.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in finance, business, economics, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).

Disclaimer Statement

This job description is not intended, nor should it be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or working conditions associated with a job. It is intended to be a general description of the principal requirements common to positions of this type.

Work Authorization

Must be able to verify identity and employment eligibility to work in the U.S. without a visa sponsorship.

Other Duties

This job profile is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job duties and responsibilities, as one may perform additional related duties as assigned to meet the needs of the organization.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to lift up to ten pounds. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. VISION: See in the normal visual range with or without correction. HEARING: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Kind Lending is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to workforce diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, religion, creed, color, orientation, gender, age, national origin, veteran status, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

• For your security, Kind Lending will only contact you from email addresses ending in kindlending.com. Emails from any other domain should be treated as suspicious and may be phishing attempts.