Data Scientist Senior

About the role

USAA is committed to empowering its members for financial security through competitive products, exceptional service, and trusted advice. We are dedicated to serving the military community and their families, aiming to be the top choice for financial services.

Responsibilities

• Gathers, interprets, and manipulates structured and unstructured data to enable advanced analytical solutions for the business.
• Selects the appropriate modeling technique and/or technology with consideration to data limitations, application, and business needs.
• Develops scalable, automated solutions using machine learning, simulation, and optimization to deliver business insights and business value.
• Develops and deploys models within the Model Development Control (MDC) and Model Risk Management (MRM) framework.
• Composes, and assists peers with composing, technical documents for knowledge persistence, risk management, and technical review audiences.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, translating complex model insights, forecast results, and risk implications into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Maintains expertise and awareness of cutting-edge techniques.
• Participates in internal communities that drive the maintenance and transformation of data science technologies and culture.
• Ensures risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, Economics, Finance, Actuarial Science, Science, Engineering, or a related quantitative field; OR 4 years of relevant education and/or experience.
• Advanced Degree (e.g., Master's, PhD) in mathematics, computer science, statistics, economics, finance, actuarial sciences, science and engineering, or other similar quantitative discipline and 4 years of experience in predictive analytics or data analysis.
• 4 years of experience in training and validating statistical, physical, machine learning, and other advanced analytics models.
• 4 years of experience in one or more dynamic scripted language (such as Python, R, etc.) for performing statistical analyses and/or building and scoring AI/ML models.
• Proven experience writing code that is easy to follow, well documented, and commented where necessary to explain logic (high code transparency).
• Strong experience in querying and preprocessing data from structured and/or unstructured databases using query languages such as SQL, HQL, NoSQL, etc.
• Demonstrated skill in performing ad-hoc analytics using descriptive, diagnostic, and inferential statistics.
• Ability to assess and articulate regulatory implications and expectations of distinct modeling efforts.
• Advanced experience with the concepts and technologies associated with classical supervised modeling for prediction such as linear/logistic regression, discriminant analysis, support vector machines, decision trees, forest models, etc.
• Experience guiding and mentoring junior technical staff in business interactions and model building.
• Experience communicating analytical and modeling results to non-technical business partners with emphasis on business recommendations and actionable applications of results.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Mathematics, Economics, Statistics, Finance, Data Science, Actuarial Science, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Strong quantitative foundation with demonstrated experience in economic forecasting, statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and advanced analytical techniques.
• Advanced programming and data engineering skills, including proficiency in Python, R, and Snowflake, with experience developing, automating, and maintaining analytical and forecasting solutions.
• Experience within a large financial services, banking, insurance, or consulting organization, supporting complex financial, risk management, forecasting, or regulatory initiatives.
• Proven ability to analyze large and complex datasets, develop actionable insights, and apply quantitative methodologies to solve strategic business challenges.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex technical concepts and analytical findings into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations for executive, business, and regulatory audiences.
• Familiarity with regulatory expectations, model governance frameworks, and risk management practices within highly regulated financial institutions.

Skills

• Advanced programming and data engineering skills, including proficiency in Python, R, and Snowflake.
• Experience within a large financial services, banking, insurance, or consulting organization.
• Proven ability to analyze large and complex datasets.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate model insights, forecast results, and risk implications to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with regulatory expectations, model governance frameworks, and risk management practices.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) plan.
• Pension plan.
• Life insurance.
• Parental benefits.
• Adoption assistance.
• Paid time off program with paid holidays plus 16 paid volunteer hours.
• Variety of wellness programs.
• Career path planning and continuing education.

Pay

The salary range for this position is: $150,960 - $288,530.

Schedule

This position can be based in one of the following locations: San Antonio, TX, Plano, TX, Phoenix, AZ, Colorado Springs, CO, Charlotte, NC, or Tampa, FL.