Staff Machine Learning Model Risk Specialist

Upstart; United States; Remote; USD 157,000 - 218,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

401(k) with company match

Annual equity grants

Health coverage

Job summary

Upstart is seeking a Senior Model Risk professional to lead governance and risk assessments for models and GenAI applications across Upstart Bank. You will partner with ML teams, business sponsors, and regulators to ensure robust risk controls and transparent documentation, supporting credible decision-making.

The role emphasizes risk-based evaluation of ML methods, GenAI applications, and QRM processes, with extensive collaboration across Legal, Compliance, and Risk teams.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in quantitative field such as finance, mathematics, economics, statistics or related discipline.
• 4+ years of experience in model risk management, model validation, model governance, ML, data science, quantitative risk, AI governance, or related technical risk function.
• Internship or project experience related to model risk management, model validation, machine learning, or data science.
• Basic understanding of AI/ML methodologies such as tree-based models and neural networks.
• General familiarity with GenAI applications.
• Advanced coding skills in R, Python, and SQL, and experience using Git.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Machine Learning teams, GenAI application developers, business sponsors, and other stakeholders to maintain inventories, risk assessments, documentation, monitoring reports, and governance materials for models and GenAI applications affecting Upstart Bank.
• Review methodologies, assumptions, data inputs, system designs, performance measures, controls, and limitations to provide effective challenge and identify areas requiring further analysis or remediation.
• Apply a risk-based approach to evaluate a broad range of quantitative methods and technologies, from traditional statistical and financial models to complex ML models and GenAI applications.
• Conduct and document model risk assessments, monitoring reviews, and targeted quantitative analyses that support internal policies and regulatory expectations.
• Help develop practical governance approaches for new technologies, particularly ML and GenAI applications.
• Respond to model- and GenAI-related questions from regulators, lending partners, and other external stakeholders.
• Track model risk issues, remediation plans, program goals, and emerging risks, escalating material findings and recommending improvements.

Skills

Strong communication

Proactive mindset

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in quantitative field such as finance, mathematics, economics, statistics

PhD in quantitative field such as statistics, econometrics, finance, mathematics or related discipline

Tools

R

Python

SQL

Git

Job description

About Upstart At Upstart, we’re united by a mission that matters: to radically reduce the cost and complexity of borrowing for all Americans. Every day, we bring creativity, experimentation, and advanced AI to reshape access to credit, helping millions move forward financially with clarity and confidence. As the leading AI lending marketplace, we partner with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through technology that’s both radically intelligent and deeply human. Our platform runs over one million predictions per borrower using more than 3,000 signals, powering smarter, fairer decisions for millions of customers. But the numbers only hint at the impact. Every idea, every voice, and every contribution moves us closer to a world where credit never stands between people and their financial progress. We’re proudly digital-first, giving most Upstarters the flexibility to do their best work from wherever they thrive, alongside teammates across 80+ cities in the US and Canada. Digital-first doesn’t mean distant. We’re intentional about in-person connection through team onsites, planning sessions, and moments that spark creativity and trust. And whether you choose to work primarily from home or collaborate in-person from one of our offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, or New York City (opening Summer 2026), you’ll have the support to work in the way that works best for you. If you’re energized by tackling meaningful problems, excited to innovate with purpose, and motivated by work that truly matters, we’d love to hear from you.

The Team:

Upstart’s Model Risk team is responsible for ensuring that the risk of models — including all models impacting the new Upstart Bank — is well-understood, monitored, and mitigated. For years, machine learning (ML) models have been the key, differentiating technology at Upstart and an exciting area of focus for the team, but we are also expanding our scope to include all modeling methodologies and Generative AI applications across the Bank. This work is essential for Upstart’s internal risk management, ensuring that our models help us make better decisions and maintain credibility with external stakeholders such as our regulators and capital providers. The team’s focus is on articulating sound model risk management principles and implementing them in collaboration with our peers on Upstart’s Risk and Machine Learning teams. This work also includes explaining our models to stakeholders, supporting external validations, and conducting analyses to reinforce our goals.

How you’ll make an impact

Partner with Machine Learning teams, GenAI application developers, business sponsors, and other stakeholders to maintain accurate inventories, risk assessments, documentation, monitoring reports, and supporting governance materials for models and GenAI applications affecting Upstart Bank. Review methodologies, assumptions, data inputs, system designs, performance measures, controls, and limitations to provide effective challenge and identify areas requiring further analysis or remediation. Apply a risk-based approach to evaluate a broad range of quantitative methods and technologies, from traditional statistical and financial models to complex machine learning models and GenAI applications. Conduct and document model risk assessments, monitoring reviews, and targeted quantitative analyses that support internal policies and regulatory expectations. Help develop practical governance approaches for new and rapidly evolving technologies, particularly machine learning and GenAI applications for which risks, evaluation methods, and industry practices continue to evolve. Respond to model‑and GenAI‑related questions from regulators, lending partners, and other external stakeholders in collaboration with Machine Learning, business teams, Legal, Compliance, and partner‑facing teams. Track model risk issues, remediation plans, program goals, and emerging risks, escalating material findings and recommending practical improvements as the Bank’s model inventory and use cases continue to expand.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in quantitative field such as finance, mathematics, economics, statistics or a related discipline
• 4+ years of experience in model risk management, model validation, model governance, machine learning, data science, quantitative risk, AI governance, or a related technical risk function.
• Internship or project experience related to model risk management, model validation, machine learning, or data science.
• Basic understanding of AI/ML methodologies such as tree-based models and neural networks.
• General familiarity with GenAI applications.
• Experience coding in R, Python, or similar languages such as Matlab

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in a quantitative field of study such as statistics, econometrics, finance, mathematics; or a related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in model risk management or model governance, or related fields such as ML and Data Science, Risk, Trust and Safety, or Technical Writing
• Familiarity with GenAI applications, including evaluation approaches, prompt and system design, retrieval‑augmented generation, tool use, guardrails, and ongoing monitoring.
• Experience assessing models used outside of credit underwriting, such as models supporting fraud, compliance, finance, capital and liquidity, servicing, operational risk, or financial reporting.
• Strong communication skills: ability to adapt technical information to varying needs and audiences, and managing trade‑offs such as providing modeling detail while protecting intellectual property
• Proactive mindset with the ability to take initiative
• Understanding of advanced AI/ML topics such as model monitoring, fairness, and explainability
• Advanced coding skills in R, Python, and SQL, and experience using Git
• Interest in or knowledge of consumer lending, credit risk, model fairness, explainability, or the use of machine learning and GenAI in a regulated environment.

Position location

This role is available in the following locations: Remote Travel requirements As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in‑person sessions’ cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.

United States | Remote

Anticipated Base Salary Range $157,000 — $217,500 USD

Canada | Remote

Anticipated Base Salary Range $140,300 — $175,000 CAD

What you’ll love

• Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
• Retirement benefits to help you plan for the future, including a 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually (USD in the US, CAD in Canada)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only)
• Comprehensive health coverage designed to support you and your family, including medical, dental, vision, and wellness resources for US and supplemental health coverage for Canada.
• Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans (US only)
• Income protection benefits, including life insurance and disability coverage for added financial security
• Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, in line with local requirements
• Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments (duration varies by country)
• Family‑centered benefits to support fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health support and life‑centered resources
• Financial wellness resources, including access to financial planning tools and a financial concierge service (US Only)
• Annual wellness allowance to support your physical and emotional well‑being and personal development, based on what matters most to you
• Annual productivity allowance to invest in relevant tools and resources you need to do your best work, no matter where you work from
• Connection and community through team events, all‑company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
• Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro‑kitchens when working from one of our offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026!)
• For roles based in Canada, please note that we are not currently able to hire in Quebec.

Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Just as we are dedicated to improving access to affordable credit for all, we are committed to inclusive and fair hiring practices. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email [e-mail] https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy