Senior Data Scientist, Algorithm - Financial Markets

Data Scientist · Senior · Full Time

US - San FranciscoUSD 200k – 250k6mo ago
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Role

What you'll do.

Senior Data Scientist role at Airwallex focused on financial markets risk management and algorithm development. The position requires expertise in statistical modeling and machine learning to optimize FX trading, market forecasting, and risk assessment for a global fintech platform serving 200,000+ businesses.

Responsibilities

  • Risk Portfolio Management: Effectively manage Airwallex's comprehensive risk portfolio and deliver actionable insights to shape overall risk strategy within global financial markets
  • Statistical Modeling & ML Implementation: Apply advanced statistical and machine learning models to estimate financial markets risk exposures including FX, credit, capital, and product-specific risks
  • Market Optimization: Optimize market forecasting algorithms, order routing systems, fund efficiency metrics, and dynamic pricing decisions using data-driven approaches
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Product Managers, Traders, Risk teams, Engineering, and stakeholders to deliver data-driven recommendations supporting commercial objectives
  • Executive Communication: Present analytical results and insights clearly to cross-functional teams and executives to influence business strategies and decision-making processes
  • Algorithm Development: Design and implement sophisticated algorithms for real-time risk assessment and automated trading decision support systems

Qualifications

What we look for.

Technical

  • Programming Expertise

    Expert-level proficiency in SQL for data querying, Python for scripting and analysis, and statistical software like R for quantitative modeling

  • Machine Learning & Statistics

    Strong ability to perform statistical analysis and develop machine learning models for data-informed financial decisions and risk assessment

  • Schema Design

    Experience in database schema design and dimensional data modeling for financial data architecture and optimization

  • Financial Markets Knowledge

    Strong understanding of financial markets, foreign exchange mechanisms, and dynamic trading systems architecture

Education

  • Advanced Degree Requirement

    PhD or Master's degree in quantitative fields such as Statistics, Engineering, Sciences, Computer Science, or Economics

  • Quantitative Background

    Strong foundation in mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and computational methods for financial applications

Experience

  • Industry Experience

    Minimum 5+ years of professional experience in data science, quantitative analysis, or related analytical roles in technology or financial services

  • Executive Communication

    Proven experience communicating complex analytical results to executives and cross-functional teams to influence strategic decisions

  • Financial Services Background

    Preferred experience in technology companies, financial services, trading environments, or high-growth startup ecosystems

Skills

Required

  • Python Programming

    Expert-level Python skills for data analysis, machine learning model development, and automation of financial processes

  • SQL Mastery

    Advanced SQL proficiency for complex data querying, joins, and database optimization in financial data environments

  • Statistical Analysis

    Strong statistical modeling skills including hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and time series forecasting for financial markets

  • Machine Learning

    Hands-on experience with supervised/unsupervised learning, feature engineering, and model validation for risk assessment

  • Financial Markets Knowledge

    Deep understanding of FX markets, trading systems, risk management, and financial instrument pricing mechanisms

  • Executive Communication

    Ability to translate complex technical findings into clear, actionable insights for business stakeholders and executives

Preferred

  • R Programming

    Nice to have

    Statistical computing experience with R for advanced quantitative analysis and specialized financial modeling packages

  • Schema Design

    Nice to have

    Experience with database schema design and dimensional modeling for optimized financial data architecture

  • Trading Experience

    Nice to have

    Background in algorithmic trading, order management systems, or electronic market making in financial services

  • Fintech Experience

    Nice to have

    Previous work in financial technology companies, payment platforms, or high-growth startup environments

  • Cloud Platforms

    Nice to have

    Experience with AWS, GCP, or Azure for scalable data processing and machine learning model deployment

Tech stack

Languages

PythonSQLR

Frameworks

scikit-learnTensorFlow/PyTorchpandas

Databases

PostgreSQLApache KafkaClickHouse

Tools

Jupyter NotebooksGitDockerApache Airflow

Other

AWS/GCPBloomberg APITableau/Looker

Compensation

Pay and benefits.

Base·USD 200,000 – 250,000

Benefits

  • Global Career Growth

    Opportunity to work across 26 offices globally with a diverse team of 2,000+ innovative professionals in the fintech space

  • Equity Participation

    Equity participation in a US$8 billion valued company backed by world-leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Visa, and Mastercard

  • Professional Development

    Accelerated learning opportunities working on complex, high-visibility problems with exceptional teammates in cutting-edge fintech

  • Hybrid Work Model

    Flexible hybrid work arrangement combining remote work with collaborative in-office time in San Francisco

  • Equal Opportunity Environment

    Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and equal opportunity employment with accommodation support for disabilities

  • Innovation Culture

    Work environment that encourages AI adoption, first-principles thinking, and zero-to-one product development

Process

Interview steps.

  1. 01

    Initial Screening

    Phone or video screening with HR to discuss background, experience, and role alignment with focus on quantitative experience

  2. 02

    Technical Assessment

    Take-home coding challenge involving financial data analysis, statistical modeling, or machine learning problem solving using Python/SQL

  3. 03

    Technical Interview

    Deep-dive technical discussion covering statistical methods, machine learning approaches, and financial markets knowledge with data science team

  4. 04

    Case Study Presentation

    Present a business case study demonstrating analytical thinking, communication skills, and ability to derive actionable insights from data

  5. 05

    Cross-Functional Panel

    Panel interview with stakeholders from Product, Engineering, and Risk teams to assess collaboration and business acumen

  6. 06

    Final Leadership Interview

    Leadership interview focusing on cultural fit, career motivations, and strategic thinking with senior data science or executive team members

Full posting

Original listing.

About Airwallex

Airwallex is the only unified payments and financial platform for global businesses. Powered by our unique combination of proprietary infrastructure and software, we empower over 200,000 businesses worldwide – including Brex, Rippling, Navan, Qantas, SHEIN and many more – with fully integrated solutions to manage everything from business accounts, payments, spend management and treasury, to embedded finance at a global scale.

Proudly founded in Melbourne, we have a team of over 2,000 of the brightest and most innovative people in tech across 26 offices around the globe. Valued at US$8 billion and backed by world-leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Visa, Mastercard, Robinhood Ventures, Sequoia, Salesforce Ventures, DST Global, and Lone Pine Capital, Airwallex is leading the charge in building the global payments and financial platform of the future. If you’re ready to do the most ambitious work of your career, join us.

Attributes We Value

We hire successful builders with founder-like energy who want real impact, accelerated learning, and true ownership. You bring strong role-related expertise and sharp thinking, and you’re motivated by our mission and operating principles. You move fast with good judgment, dig deep with curiosity, and make decisions from first principles, balancing speed and rigor.

You're humble and collaborative; turn zero‑to‑one ideas into real products, and you “get stuff done” end-to-end. You use AI to work smarter and solve problems faster. Here, you’ll tackle complex, high‑visibility problems with exceptional teammates and grow your career as we build the future of global banking. If that sounds like you, let’s build what’s next.

About the team

As a global team, we span across Australia, China, USA, and Singapore, revolutionizing applied data science, data engineering and platform solutions to support Airwallex's rapid growth. You will collaborate with a diverse range of cross-functional partners, including Product, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Finance, and more, to tackle complex data problems and shape the future of fintech.

Learn more about the data science team in this blog.

The Role

  • Effectively manage Airwallex’s risk portfolio, delivering actionable insights to shape our overall risk strategy within financial markets

  • Apply statistical and/or machine learning models to estimate financial markets risk exposures (including FX, credit, capital, and other product risks), and optimize market forecasting, order routing, fund efficiency, and pricing decisions

  • Partner with Product Managers, Traders, Risk, Engineering, and other stakeholders to deliver data-driven recommendations that support commercial and operational objectives

  • Clearly present analytical results and insights to cross-functional teams to influence business strategies and decision-making

Who you are

We're looking for people who meet the minimum qualifications for this role. The preferred qualifications are great to have, but are not mandatory.

Minimum qualifications:

  • 5+ years industry experience and an advanced degree (PhD or MS) in a quantitative field (e.g. Statistics, Engineering, Sciences, Computer Science, Economics)

  • Strong understanding of financial markets, foreign exchange, and/or dynamic trading systems is a plus

  • Experience with communicating the results of analyses to executives and cross-functional teams to influence the strategy

  • Expert in data querying languages (e.g. SQL), scripting languages (e.g. Python), and/or statistical/mathematical software (e.g. R), experience in schema design and dimensional data modeling a plus

  • Ability to perform statistical analysis and develop machine learning models to drive data-informed decisions

Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience in technology, financial services, trading environment and/or a high growth environment is advantageous

Applicant Safety Policy: Fraud and Third-Party Recruiters

To protect you from recruitment scams, please be aware that Airwallex will not ask for bank details, sensitive ID numbers (i.e. passport), or any form of payment during the application or interview process. All official communication will come from an @airwallex.com email address. Please apply only through careers.airwallex.com or our official LinkedIn page.

Airwallex does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms/recruiters. Airwallex will not pay any fees to search firms/recruiters if a candidate is submitted by a search firm/recruiter unless an agreement has been entered into with respect to specific open position(s). Search firms/recruiters submitting resumes to Airwallex on an unsolicited basis shall be deemed to accept this condition, regardless of any other provision to the contrary.

Equal opportunity

Airwallex is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and anyone seeking employment at Airwallex is considered based on merit, qualifications, competence and talent. We don’t regard color, religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, citizenship, sex, marital or family status, disability, gender, or any other legally protected status when making our hiring decisions. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

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