Data Scientist - AI/ML (Mid & Sr Levels)

What is Spade?

Spade is a data and AI platform that transforms messy transaction strings into structured, verified records, enabling financial institutions to leverage these insights for personalized rewards programs, accurate applied spending rules, precise analytics, and innovative AI-powered features.

What will you be doing?

• Build the real-time ML/AI systems that power how top fintechs and financial institutions understand every transaction.
• Partner closely with engineering and product to take ideas from prototype to production, directly shaping the accuracy, speed, and intelligence customers like FIS, Bilt, Mercury, and Stripe rely on every day.
• Own the full lifecycle of ML/AI products, from first prototype to production system serving real customers.
• Set the bar for how ML gets built here, pushing for models that are not just accurate, but scalable, robust, and production-ready from day one.
• Help shape where the data science team goes next, partnering directly with leadership on roadmap and priorities (Senior role).
• Grow the team around you, mentoring other data scientists and raising the practices we build on (Senior role).

What experience, skills, and qualifications are necessary?

• 3+ years building and shipping models in Python, in a fast-paced environment (5+ for senior)
• Worked hands-on with engineering and product, not just in a research silo
• Strong ML, stats, and data fundamentals (PySpark, pandas, SQL)
• A product mindset — you navigate ambiguity and optimize for customer value, not just model accuracy
• A collaborative streak — you take feedback well and care about the team's success, not just your own
• An AI-forward workflow — coding assistants and LLMs are part of how you already work, and you're excited to push further
• Able to work remotely within the US or Canada. We are also open to NYC-based candidates who would prefer to work hybrid (2 days/week) out of our Flatiron HQ.

Additional

• For Senior: 5+ years, with end-to-end ownership of ML/AI products from idea to production
• Shipped ML/AI-powered products, ideally customer-facing
• A track record of mentoring and raising team standards

Why Join Spade?

• Be a cultural founder. As an early employee, you’ll play a meaningful role in defining and building our culture.
• Get in on the ground floor. We’re a small but well-funded team – joining now comes with limited risk and unlimited upside.
• Build the next generation of financial infrastructure. Our products will power the next wave of innovation in fintech, helping our customers deliver better, more transparent products and services to the consumer.

Benefits at Spade

• Competitive Compensation
• Meaningful Equity
• Comprehensive Health Benefits
• 401(k)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Unlimited PTO
• Flexible In-Person Culture
• Generous work from home stipend, company-paid lunches, Citibike Membership, and more.

Salary Range

$175K - $230K

Diversity & Inclusion at Spade

Spade is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a culture that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We believe that having people with different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives not only helps us build the best products for our customers, but also helps us be the best version of ourselves.