Staff Machine Learning Model Risk Specialist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Collaborate with Machine Learning teams, developers of GenAI applications, business sponsors, and other key stakeholders to oversee model and GenAI application inventories, risk assessments, documentation, monitoring reports, and governance materials.

• Assess methodologies, assumptions, data inputs, system designs, performance metrics, controls, and limitations to offer constructive challenges and identify areas for remediation.

• Analyze quantitative methods and technologies, which include traditional statistical and financial models as well as advanced machine learning models and GenAI applications.

• Perform and document model risk assessments, monitoring reviews, and focused quantitative analyses that align with internal policies and regulatory requirements.

• Formulate practical governance strategies for emerging machine learning and GenAI technologies.

• Address model- and GenAI-related inquiries from regulators, lending partners, and external stakeholders in collaboration with Machine Learning, business, Legal, Compliance, and partner-facing teams.

• Monitor model risk issues, remediation plans, program objectives, and emerging risks; escalate significant findings and propose enhancements.

• Independently implement essential elements of Upstart Bank’s model risk management program across lending, fraud, compliance, finance, capital and liquidity, servicing, and operational risk models.

⛳️ Requirements

• Master’s degree in a quantitative discipline such as finance, mathematics, economics, statistics, or a related field.

• Over 4 years of experience in model risk management, model validation, model governance, machine learning, data science, quantitative risk, AI governance, or a similar technical risk role.

• Internship or project experience related to model risk management, model validation, machine learning, or data science.

• Fundamental understanding of AI/ML methodologies including tree-based models and neural networks.

• General knowledge of GenAI applications.

• Proficient in coding with R, Python, or similar languages such as Matlab.

• Preferred: PhD in a quantitative field.

• Preferred: More than 5 years of experience in model risk management, model governance, or related domains.

• Preferred: Familiarity with GenAI evaluation methods, prompt and system design, retrieval-augmented generation, tool utilization, guardrails, and ongoing monitoring.

• Preferred: Experience evaluating models beyond credit underwriting.

• Preferred: Advanced coding proficiency in R, Python, and SQL, along with experience using Git.

• Preferred: Understanding of consumer lending, credit risk, model fairness, explainability, or machine learning and GenAI in regulated settings.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive compensation package that includes base salary, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly.

• 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan featuring a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually.

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offering discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only).

• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, wellness resources for the US, and supplemental health coverage for Canada.

• Contributions to Health Savings Accounts from Upstart for qualified plans (US only).

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

• Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays.

• Paid family and parental leave.

• Family-oriented fertility, parenthood, and caregiving benefits.

• Employee Assistance Program providing mental health support and life-centered resources.

• Financial wellness resources that include financial planning tools and a financial concierge service (US only).

• Annual wellness allowance.

• Annual productivity allowance for relevant tools and resources.

• Team events, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs).

• Catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens for those working in offices.

• Flexible remote work opportunities through Upstart’s digital-first approach.