Principal Data Scientist (Credit Risk for Small Business and Commercial)

A credit union serving US military families is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to provide strategic data science, machine learning, and advanced analytics leadership to inform mission-critical decisions across the organization, with a primary focus on small business lending.

Location: Hybrid – Vienna, VA

The Principal Data Scientist will leverage small business credit, application, financial statement, cash flow, transaction, and performance data to shape underwriting, risk segmentation, pricing, portfolio management, and the end-to-end member lending experience. This role will partner with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders to identify high-impact opportunities, influence product and credit strategies, and translate complex data into scalable analytical solutions, actionable insights, and measurable business outcomes. The position will advance the organization's analytical capabilities through descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive modeling and the responsible application of leading data science techniques. The Principal Data Scientist will operate as a trusted advisor and advanced practitioner, leading complex initiatives with broad independent judgment and developing analytical talent across the team.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and evaluate large and complex predictive models and advanced algorithms
Test hypotheses/models, analyze, and interpret results
Develop actionable insights and recommendations
Develop and code complex software programs, algorithms, and automated processes
Use evaluation, judgment, and interpretation to select right course of action
Work on problems of diverse scope where analysis of information requires evaluation of identifiable factors
Produce innovative solutions driven by exploratory data analysis from complex and high-dimensional datasets
Transform data into charts, tables, or format that aids effective decision making
Utilize effective written and verbal communication to document analyses and present findings analyses to a diverse audience of stakeholders
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with team members, subject matter experts, and leaders
Lead moderate to large projects and initiatives
Model best practices and ethical AI
Work with senior management on complex issues
Assist with the development and enhancement practices, procedures, and instructions
Serve as technical resource for other team members
Mentor lower levels

Qualifications

6+ years of experience with requisite competencies
Complete knowledge and full understanding of specialization
Statistics, machine learning, data mining, data auditing, aggregation, reconciliation, and visualization
Programming, data modeling, simulation, and advanced mathematics
SQL, R, Python, Hadoop, SAS, SPSS, Scala, AWS
Model lifecycle execution
Technical writing
Data storytelling and technical presentation skills
Research Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Advanced knowledge of procedures, instructions and validation techniques
Model Development
Communication
Critical Thinking
Collaborate and Build Relationships
Initiative with sound judgement
Technical (Big Data Analysis, Coding, Project Management, Technical Writing, etc.)
Independent Judgment
Problem Solving (Identifies the constraints and risks)
Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computers Science, Engineering, or degrees in similar quantitative fields

Desired Qualifications

Master's or doctoral degree in data science, statistics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or a related quantitative discipline
Demonstrated success applying data science, machine learning, or advanced analytics to small business banking, commercial lending, or small business lending strategies
Deep experience designing and implementing analytical solutions across the lending lifecycle, including originations, underwriting, credit decisioning, pricing, account management, portfolio monitoring, and collections
Strong command of small business credit risk, cash flow underwriting, commercial credit data, financial statements, transaction data, and alternative data sources
Proven ability to influence senior leaders and partner across lending product, credit risk, underwriting, operations, and model risk to translate analytical insights into strategic business decisions

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM

Compensation: $128.5K/yr – $164.7K/yr