The OpportunityWe are seeking a Lead AI Individual Contributor Data Scientist to drive the strategic adoption and practical application of AI, particularly Generative AI, across USAA Federal Savings Bank (USAA FSB). You will identify and implement AI solutions - whether cutting-edge industry advancements, existing solutions from other USAA lines of business, or tools that connect and integrate various platforms and IT systems - to boost productivity, automate processes, reduce costs, and create new revenue streams within the financial services context. This includes actively scouting for and evaluating external AI tools and technologies through various channels, such as professional networks and ties to academia, AI events, conferences, academic research, and a keen awareness of technological advancements, to ensure we are leveraging the most innovative solutions available. These efforts will encompass exploring AI solutions that serve as intelligent work assistants, streamlining and optimizing routine tasks for our employees, ultimately enhancing the experience and value delivered to our USAA members, while also considering the visionary potential and ethical implications of these advancements.
This role is remote eligible in the continental U.S. with occasional business travel. However, individuals residing within a 60-mile radius of a USAA office will be expected to work on-site four days per week.
Relocation assistance is available for this position.
What you'll do:- Gathers, interprets, and manipulates structured and unstructured data to enable advanced analytical solutions for the business.
- Develops scalable, automated solutions using machine learning, simulation, and optimization to deliver business insights and business value.
- Selects the appropriate modeling technique and/or technology with consideration to data limitations, application, and business needs.
- 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.
- Assesses business needs to propose/recommend analytical and modeling projects to add business value.
- Works with business and analytics leaders to prioritize analytics and modeling problems/research efforts.
- Builds and maintains a robust library of reusable, production-quality algorithms and supporting code, to ensure model development and research efforts are transparent and based on the highest quality data.
- Translates complex business request(s) into specific analytical questions, executes on the analysis and/or modeling, and then communicates outcomes to non-technical business colleagues with focus on business action and recommendations.
- Manages project milestones, risks, and impediments.
- Escalates potential issues that could limit project success or implementation.
- Develops best practices for engaging with Data Engineering and IT to deploy production-ready analytical assets consistent with modeling best practices and model risk management standards.
- Maintains expertise and awareness of cutting-edge techniques.
- Actively seeks opportunities and materials to learn new techniques, technologies, and methodologies.
- Serves as a mentor to junior data scientists in modeling, analytics, and computer science tasks.
- 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.
What you have:- Bachelor's degree in mathematics, computer science, statistics, economics, finance, actuarial sciences, science and engineering, or other similar quantitative discipline; OR 4 years of experience in statistics, mathematics, quantitative analytics, or related experience (in addition to the minimum years of experience required) may be substituted in lieu of degree.
- 6 years of experience in a predictive analytics or data analysis OR 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.
- Strong experience in working with structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data files such as delimited numeric data files, JSON/XML files, and/or text documents, images, 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.
- Advanced experience with the concepts and technologies associated with unsupervised modeling such as k-means clustering, hierarchical/agglomerative clustering, neighbors algorithms, DBSCAN, 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.
What sets you apart:- Advanced degree (Master's/PhD) in STEM, Computer Science, Statistics, Economics, or Finance is required. An additional degree in Information Technology (IT) or a closely related field is also strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex data analysis into actionable business insights and strategic recommendations.
- Experience in AI/ML/Data Science, focused on product development, strategy, or modeling.
- Prior roles with leading tech companies (e.g., Apple, Meta, Amazon AWS, Google, FICO) in AI, automation, or digital product teams.
- Experience with developing and implementing AI solutions across diverse platforms and within complex data infrastructures.
- Experience in IT roles or IT-adjacent functions, demonstrating a strong understanding of technology systems and infrastructure, is a plus.
- Previous exposure to or understanding of the financial services sector is highly preferred.
Compensation range: The salary range for this position is: $143,320-$273,930
USAA does not provide visa sponsorship for this role. Please do not apply for this role if at any time (now or in the future) you will need immigration support (i.e., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT Training Plans, etc.). Compensation: USAA has an effective process for assessing market data and establishing ranges to ensure we remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range based on your experience and market data of the position. The actual salary for this role may vary by location.
Employees may be eligible for pay incentives based on overall corporate and individual performance and at the discretion of the USAA Board of Directors.
The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.
Benefits: At USAA our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellness. These benefits include comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, 401(k), pension, life insurance, parental benefits, adoption assistance, paid time off program with paid holidays plus 16 paid volunteer hours, and various wellness programs. Additionally, our career path planning and continuing education assists employees with their professional goals.
For more details on our outstanding benefits, visit our benefits page on USAAjobs.com.
Applications for this position are accepted on an ongoing basis, this posting will remain open until the position is filled. Thus, interested candidates are encouraged to apply the same day they view this posting.
