Sr. Data Scientist

Merrick Bank; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Bonus target or variable pay incentive

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) Match

Paid time off

Wellness programs

Job summary

Merrick Bank is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to develop, validate, deploy, and monitor advanced predictive analytics solutions across risk, marketing, and business decisioning. You will lead model development with a focus on modern ML techniques and scalable production-ready processes.

The role requires expertise in traditional statistics and ML, with exposure to deep learning, LLMs, and generative AI for financial services. Strong communication with leadership is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in quantitative field; PhD preferred.
• At least 1 year of hands-on predictive modeling in financial services or regulated industries.
• Strong programming in Python, R, and SQL; experience with ML workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develops, validates, and maintains predictive models for risk, marketing, and revenue forecasting.
• Owns model development lifecycle from framing to deployment and user enablement.
• Applies logistic regression, GLMs, clustering, and forecasting methods.
• Prototyping emerging AI technologies, including LLMs and RAG, for business problems.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

ML techniques

Data analysis

Deep learning

LLMs

Communication

Education

Bachelor's/Master's degree in quantitative field

PhD preferred

Job description

Join our team and build your career with momentum as we champion your growth, elevate your ideas and engage you in purpose-driven work that makes a real difference every day.

Who we are

Founded in 1997, Merrick Bank is an FDIC®-insured financial institution headquartered in South Jordan, Utah, with over $10 billion in assets. A wholly owned subsidiary of CardWorks Financial Group, Merrick Bank serves roughly five million cardmembers and more than 100,000 merchant customers nationwide.

What we do

We provide credit cards, recreational loans, deposit accounts, merchant services and bank sponsorships to consumers and businesses. As a leader in non-prime lending and merchant acquiring, we combine innovative technology with data-driven insights to help underserved consumers build and strengthen credit while delivering integrated, scalable payment solutions for businesses. Merrick Bank ranks among the top 20 FDIC®-insured credit card issuers in the U.S. and among the top 15 merchant acquirers by transaction volume.

Position Summary and Role Impact

The Senior Data Scientist is responsible for developing, validating, deploying, and monitoring advanced predictive analytics solutions that drive risk, marketing, and business decision-making across the bank. This role combines deep expertise in traditional statistical modeling and machine learning with the ability to apply emerging AI technologies to solve complex business challenges. The successful candidate will serve as a technical leader within the Data Science & Modeling organization, partnering with business stakeholders, technology teams, and senior leadership to deliver robust analytical solutions. Experience with modern machine learning techniques is required. Exposure to deep learning, large language models (LLMs), and generative AI technologies is highly desirable.

Essential Functions

• Develops, validates, and maintains predictive models supporting Credit Risk, Marketing, Balance/Revenue forecasting, Direct Mail Response, and account-level valuation domains.
• Provides end-to-end ownership of the model development lifecycle, including problem framing, conceptual design, data analysis, model construction, validation, documentation, deployment, and user enablement.
• Applies traditional statistical techniques, including logistic regression, generalized linear models, clustering, and forecasting methods.
• Designs and implements machine learning solutions using techniques such as gradient boosting, random forests, ensemble methods, and other advanced analytical approaches.
• Develops model monitoring frameworks to ensure ongoing model performance, stability, fairness, and regulatory compliance.
• Investigate performance issues, identify root causes, and recommend appropriate corrective actions when models do not perform as expected.
• Performs complex data analysis and communicate insights, recommendations, and model performance to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Supports model governance, validation, compliance reviews, and regulatory examinations through comprehensive documentation and transparent methodologies.
• Researches, assesses, and prototypes emerging AI technologies, including large language models, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and generative AI applications.

Requirements for Success

Education & Experience

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in quantitative fields (e.g. Data Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Economics, Engineering, Operations Research, or a related field) is required. PhD in a quantitative field is preferred. At least one (1) year of hands‑on experience building predictive models, machine learning solutions, or advanced analytics applications in financial services or other highly regulated industries.

Knowledge, Skills and Capabilities

Experience developing and deploying production‑ready analytical solutions. Strong understanding of statistical modeling methodologies, including logistic regression, linear models, segmentation, forecasting, and model validation techniques. Strong expertise in machine learning algorithms and model development workflows. Advanced programming skills in Python, R, and SQL. Experience working with large and complex data sets. Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and critical‑thinking skills. Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to business stakeholders and executive leadership. Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in cross‑functional teams.

Compliance with Laws & Regulations

Responsible for complying with all the Bank’s internal control policies and procedures. Responsible for understanding and complying with all laws and regulations to which the Bank is subject. Responsible for communicating problems in operations, noncompliance with the code of conduct, noncompliance with laws and regulations, policy violations, or illegal acts.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Work is in an office environment, sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; works with computer equipment for prolonged periods of time. Some stress may occur Travel is generally not required.

Why join us

We believe in putting people first by supporting our customers, employees and our partners while creating opportunities for everyone to reach their potential. From fostering work-life balance to rewarding good work and innovative ideas, we invest in what matters most, our people. At Merrick Bank, you’ll be part of a collaborative, customer‑focused team where you can grow your career while making a meaningful impact. Our Employee Value Proposition Competitive Pay, including a Bonus Target or Variable Pay Incentive Program Benefits Package -Medical, Dental, and Vision (plus much more) 401(k) Plan with Company Match Short- & Long-Term Disability Wellness Programs Group Life and AD&D Insurance Paid Vacation, Sick Days and bank Holidays Employee Engagement Activities including Employee Appreciation Day, DEI Employee Resource Groups, Corporate Social Responsibility, Service Recognition We offer a total rewards package comprised of a competitive base rate of pay, variable pay incentive programs based on the role, and a comprehensive benefit suite. Offered rates of pay are determined based on job‑related knowledge, relevant experience, skills, certifications, and geographic location. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, sex, or gender identity/expression (including pregnancy, childbirth, transgender status, or sexual orientation), religion or creed, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs. Everyone is welcome here, and we hire based on your ability to do the job, not any protected characteristics. If you need help or reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please let your TA Partner know. CardWorks Financial Group is the engine driving financial progress, a diversified consumer finance provider building ethical solutions across credit, lending, and the full customer lifecycle. Advancing finance with purpose, we put people—clients, customers, and colleagues—at the center of everything we do, guided by our CRITICAL values and united as one enterprise across Merrick Bank, CardWorks Servicing, and Carson Smithfield. As your everyday champion, our vertically integrated platform fuels financial progress through access to credit, high yield deposits, flexible merchant payments, and end to end servicing performance -powered by a culture of relentless curiosity, belonging, and growth.