Job Description

Why USAA?

At USAA, our mission is to empower our members to achieve financial security through highly competitive products, exceptional service and trusted advice. We seek to be the #1 choice for the military community and their families.

Embrace a fulfilling career at USAA, where our core values – honesty, integrity, loyalty and service – define how we treat each other and our members. Be part of what truly makes us special and impactful.

The Opportunity

As a dedicated Principal Data Scientist , you will leverage technical expertise and industry experience to influence the application, scalability, and enablement of artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) across USAA’s enterprise, including key bank operations such as call center optimization, complaints program analytics, and digital servicing enhancements . This includes driving intelligent automation and personalization through next best action recommendations and predictive servicing strategies. You will identify novel opportunities for advanced analytics solutions, effectively communicate with business leaders, product teams, and other key stakeholders, and guide end-to-end solution development, IT implementation, and business adoption. You will provide strategic guidance to executive leadership by seeking, vetting, proposing, and enabling “best in class” tools and technologies. Additionally, you will collaborate with IT Architecture and leadership to ensure data and analytics tools align with USAA’s strategic vision and operational priorities.

We offer a flexible work environment that requires an individual to be in the office 4 days per week. 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.

Relocation assistance is available for this position.

What you'll do:

• Identifies, researches, and defines large-scale, cross-functional AI/ML use cases in collaboration with business leaders, executive peers, and strategic partners. Guides end-to-end efforts to develop scalable, efficient, highly-performant, automated AI/ML solutions.
• Applies deep expertise to amplify the impact of modeling techniques on emerging business initiatives. Collaborates with IT architects to design, implement, monitor, and scale cutting-edge AI/ML solutions that translate prototypes into novel products, services, and features.
• Ensures that AI/ML solutions are built using industry best practices, and sound methodology. Works with model risk partners to promote a culture of regulatory compliance.
• Designs large, complex information assets that enable applied analytics. Collaborates with engineering, data, and information architects to establish and maintain well-governed, documented, and controlled datasets from internal and external, structured, and unstructured sources.
• Seeks opportunities to simplify, modernize, and standardize the model development lifecycle. Provides expert technical advice and guidance by vetting vendor acquisitions.
• Actively raises the bar on talent and recruitment by leading or participating in communities of practice, talent development initiatives, and technical interview panels.
• Clearly translates complex analytical and technical concepts to diverse, technical, and non-technical audiences in a way that promotes organizational data literacy and informs business priorities.
• Provides technical oversight for building and maintaining a robust library of reusable, production-quality algorithms and supporting code.
• Develops and maintains academic and industry relationships for research purposes. Represents USAA in key internal/external technology and advanced analytics conferences.
• 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.
• 10 years of progressive experience in predictive analytics or data analysis, to include 6 years of experience in training and validating statistical, physical, machine learning, and other advanced analytics models.
• 6 years of experience in one or more dynamic scripted language (such as Python, R, etc.) with a focus on writing code that is easy to follow, well documented, and commented where necessary to explain logic (high code transparency).
• Subject matter expert in the concepts and technologies associated with classical supervised modeling for prediction such as linear/logistic models, discriminant analysis, support vector machines, decision trees, forest models, etc.
• Subject matter expert in the concepts and technologies associated with unsupervised modeling such as k-means clustering, hierarchical/agglomerative clustering, neighbors algorithms, DBSCAN, etc.
• Deep hands-on experience building, deploying, and managing the performance of advanced analytics solutions. Proven track record of providing cutting-edge solutions that drive business adoption and value.
• Extensive project management experience and can anticipate and appropriately manage project milestones, risks, and impediments. Demonstrated history of appropriately communicating and escalating potential impediments and limitations to leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in guiding and mentoring junior technical staff in business interactions and model building.
• Extensive experience explaining and influencing complex technology decisions to both technical and nontechnical audiences at all levels in the organization and with cross functional and enterprise teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading business or product/portfolio transformation through use of advanced analytics.

What sets you apart:

• Applied expertise in machine learning, NLP, and generative AI, with hands-on experience developing agent-based AI solutions tailored to banking operations such as call center automation, digital servicing, and complaints resolution.
• Proven leadership in technology research, strategy, and enterprise-scale implementation, particularly in Generative AI initiatives that enhance customer engagement, streamline servicing workflows, and support regulatory compliance across functional areas.
• Strong ability to translate business needs into technical solutions, driving innovation in customer experience, contact center performance, underwriting efficiency, and next best action recommendations through advanced AI applications and intelligent decisioning systems.

Compensation range: The salary range for this position is: $217,520 - $415,760 .

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.

USAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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