Self Financial is looking for a Principal Data Scientist to drive significant business value and innovation by spearheading machine learning initiatives and establishing a center of excellence for data science, ultimately influencing customer growth, product strategy, and marketing effectiveness.
Requirements
- 7+ years of hands-on experience in data science and machine learning, with a portfolio of models deployed in production that have driven significant business outcomes.
- Expert-level proficiency in Python and data manipulation libraries (Pandas, NumPy), as well as SQL for complex data extraction and analysis.
- Deep, practical experience across a range of ML techniques, such as propensity modeling, lead scoring, clustering, recommendation systems, and causal inference.
- Proven experience owning the end-to-end ML lifecycle, from feature engineering on large, complex datasets to partnering with MLOps/Engineering for deployment and monitoring.
- Experience with version control systems (Git).
- Familiarity with cloud-based ML ecosystems, particularly AWS (S3, Glue, Redshift, SageMaker).
- Experience developing or working with nascent AI capabilities (e.g., leveraging LLMs for internal tools, GenAI).
Responsibilities
- Spearhead the development of predictive LTV and customer quality models for core products to enable robust, timely budgeting and optimization decisions, directly improving Marketing ROAS.
- Partner with Lifecycle Marketing and Product to architect the next-generation recommendation engine, developing models that determine the optimal action, message, channel, and frequency to improve customer activation and success.
- Design and deploy models that predict which new members are at risk of becoming inactive and build comprehensive models to predict churn across the entire customer lifecycle, enabling proactive retention strategies.
- Champion an AI-first approach to advance analytical capabilities and business productivity, identifying and spearheading the development of high-impact AI solutions.
- Partner closely with leaders in Credit Risk, MLOps, and Architecture to define and implement company-wide standards, reusable patterns, and best practices for the entire ML lifecycle.
- Own high-impact initiatives from concept to production, setting the standard for how data science creates value at Self.
- Develop ML models that deliver measurable revenue growth and customer value.
Other
- We're looking for people who share our passion and are driven to tackle challenges, find solutions and make the financial space better for the communities we serve.
- We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To that end, we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
- Are a Builder and a Strategist: You are equally comfortable architecting a multi-year technical vision and getting your hands dirty coding the solution. You embrace ownership and drive initiatives to completion.
- Connect Your Work to Business Impact: You have a proven track record of developing ML models that deliver measurable revenue growth and customer value. You care deeply that your work creates meaningful change.
- Thrive in Ambiguity: You are an expert at navigating complex, open-ended problems and carving a clear path to a solution. You are comfortable in a fast-paced environment where you have the autonomy to make key decisions.
- Are a Force Multiplier: You are an excellent communicator who can articulate complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences alike, influencing stakeholders and mentoring fellow team members.
- Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in a quantitative field like Computer Science, Statistics, Physics, or Mathematics.
- Experience in the fintech or financial services industry.
- Company equity in the form of Stock Options
- Performance-based bonuses
- Generous employer-paid health, vision and dental insurance coverage
- Flexible vacation policy
- Educational assistance
- Free gym membership
- Casual dress code
- Team building events and activities
- Remote work arrangements/ flexible work schedule
- Paid parental leave
- Self Financial requires all employees hired to successfully pass a background check.
- We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
- At this time, we are only able to consider applicants who are U.S. Citizens or Green Card Holders for employment opportunities. We appreciate your understanding.
