Data Scientist

About The Company USAA is a leading financial services organization dedicated to serving the military community and their families. Our mission is to empower our members to achieve financial security by providing highly competitive products, exceptional service, and trusted advice. With a longstanding commitment to honesty, integrity, loyalty, and service, USAA strives to be the preferred choice for military personnel and their loved ones. We foster a culture that emphasizes ethical conduct, innovation, and community support, ensuring that our members receive personalized and reliable financial solutions. Our organization values diversity and inclusion, promoting a collaborative environment where all employees can thrive and contribute to meaningful impact. About The Role We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative AI Data Solutions Scientist to join our Technology organization at USAA. In this role, you will be an integral part of our Data Science team, working collaboratively across functions with architecture, engineering, and product teams to revolutionize our operations and customer experiences. Your primary focus will be on transforming vast amounts of structured and unstructured data into actionable insights, leveraging advanced analytics, machine learning, simulation, and optimization techniques. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of artificial intelligence, including cutting-edge technologies such as generative AI, large language models, and multi-agent systems. The successful candidate will contribute to building scalable, automated solutions that drive strategic decision-making and operational excellence, supporting USAA’s mission to serve the military community with innovative financial solutions. Qualifications Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, computer science, statistics, engineering, or a related quantitative field, or equivalent experience. A master’s or PhD in a relevant discipline is highly preferred. A minimum of six years of experience in predictive analytics or data analysis is required, with at least four years dedicated to training and validating sophisticated models. Expertise in Python programming for statistical analysis and machine learning is essential, along with strong skills in querying and preprocessing data using SQL, NoSQL, or similar languages. Candidates must demonstrate experience in developing and deploying models within risk management frameworks, ensuring compliance and statistical validation standards are met. Advanced knowledge of classical supervised and unsupervised modeling techniques, as well as proficiency with large language models, agent frameworks, and cloud-based MLOps, is highly desirable. Strong communication skills for translating complex technical findings into business insights and mentoring junior staff are also critical. Responsibilities Gather, interpret, and manipulate both structured and unstructured data to enable advanced analytical solutions aligned with business objectives.Develop scalable, automated models using machine learning, simulation, and optimization techniques to generate actionable insights and deliver measurable business value.Select appropriate modeling techniques considering data constraints, application needs, and business impact.Develop, validate, and deploy models within the Model Development Control (MDC) and Model Risk Management (MRM) frameworks, ensuring compliance and quality standards.Document technical processes and model methodologies for knowledge sharing, risk assessment, and technical review purposes.Assess business needs to recommend analytical projects that add value, collaborating with leadership to prioritize initiatives.Build and maintain a library of reusable algorithms and supporting code to promote transparency, consistency, and high-quality research.Translate complex business questions into specific analytical tasks, execute analysis, and communicate findings effectively to non-technical stakeholders, emphasizing actionable recommendations.Manage project milestones, identify risks, and escalate issues proactively to ensure successful project delivery.Collaborate with Data Engineering and IT teams to deploy production-ready analytical solutions, adhering to best practices and risk management standards.Stay current with emerging techniques and technologies, actively seeking opportunities for professional development.Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to internal communities focused on advancing data science capabilities and culture.Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with risk, compliance, and regulatory policies, maintaining a strong focus on data security and ethical standards. Benefits USAA offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, financial, and emotional well-being of its employees. Benefits include extensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan, pension options, life insurance, parental leave, adoption assistance, and a paid time off program that includes holidays and volunteer hours. We also provide various wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and career planning resources to help employees achieve their personal and professional goals. Our organization values work-life balance and strives to create an inclusive environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Equal Opportunity USAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. We believe that diversity enhances our organization and helps us better serve our members. All employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.