AI & Machine Learning Engineer, Sr.

About The Company

USAA is committed to empowering its members to achieve financial security through highly competitive products, exceptional service, and trusted advice. Serving primarily the military community and their families, USAA strives to be the preferred financial services provider by upholding core values such as honesty, integrity, loyalty, and service. The organization fosters a fulfilling work environment that values diversity, inclusion, and professional growth. USAA also actively supports active-duty military spouses, offering flexible remote or hybrid work arrangements in accordance with company policies and business needs.

About The Role

The Senior Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Engineer will be a key member of the dedicated AI engineering team at USAA. This role involves developing and deploying advanced AI/ML solutions across various lines of business, contributing to innovative projects such as sentiment analysis and agentic AI applications. The engineer will be responsible for end-to-end machine learning workflows, including data preprocessing, model training, API development, and building scalable data pipelines. This position offers an excellent opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology, influence technical strategies, and mentor junior team members. The role requires a collaborative mindset, technical expertise, and the ability to translate complex AI concepts into practical solutions that enhance customer service and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related field; or 4 years of relevant education and/or experience
• 6+ years of experience in machine learning engineering, data engineering, or software development
• Extensive programming experience in Python, SQL, Java, or similar languages
• Proficiency in data engineering, including building and optimizing data pipelines and data modeling
• Experience delivering end-to-end AI/ML solutions, including data curation, model development, and deployment
• Knowledge of ML Ops principles and automation workflows
• Technical leadership experience and ability to mentor team members
• Understanding of Data Science principles, stochastic modeling, and advanced mathematical techniques
• Effective communication skills for presenting technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Expertise in at least one cloud platform such as AWS (e.g., Sagemaker), GCP, or Azure

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with data scientists and business partners to develop and implement machine learning models and solutions
• Provide technical feedback and guidance within the ML community and project teams
• Lead the full lifecycle of machine learning engineering, including analysis, design, data pipeline development, testing, deployment, and support
• Configure, manage, and optimize AI/ML infrastructure in cloud and on-premises environments, including AWS, GCP, and graph databases
• Work with architects to define and influence ML model implementation patterns in complex environments
• Design and develop complex technical solutions for AI/ML, including proof of concepts and prototypes for executive presentation
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to setting the technical direction of projects
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with AI/ML activities, ensuring compliance with policies and regulations

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) retirement plan and pension options
• Life insurance and parental benefits, including adoption assistance
• Paid time off, holidays, and 16 paid volunteer hours annually
• Wellness programs supporting physical, emotional, and financial health
• Career development opportunities and continuing education support