Lead Risk Data Scientist & ML Engineer

Job Description

Ready to take your career global?

Make your mark at one of the biggest names in payments. We are seeking a hands-on Lead Risk Data Scientist & ML Engineer to own the full lifecycle of fraud detection and risk models. This role combines deep data science expertise with practical AI/agentic workflow experience and the infrastructure knowledge needed to ship at scale.

What You’ll Own

In this role, you'll own the end-to-end delivery of detection models and AI-assisted workflows that power fraud, credit, and AML risk operations. You'll drive model performance through the full lifecycle, from design and validation through production deployment and continuous optimization. You'll translate regulatory requirements and operational needs into detection strategies and technical execution plans, partner across Risk, Compliance, and Technology to ensure alignment, and lead project teams through complex, ambiguous detection challenges. This is a hands-on role that combines deep technical leadership with pragmatic problem-solving in a small, high-impact team.

Model Development & Deployment (End-to-End)

• Own the full lifecycle of ML models: design, development, validation, deployment, and serving in production
• Lead model performance monitoring and continuous refinement using production data and investigation outcomes
• Ensure models are explainable, auditable, and aligned with regulatory expectations
• Design and oversee scalable batch and real-time data pipelines supporting model development and serving

AI & Agentic Workflows

• Design and deploy AI-assisted analyst workflows using LLMs and agentic frameworks
• Guide the development of agent-based systems that augment human decision-making in risk operations
• Work at the pilot/proof-of-concept stage, establishing best practices for scale

Detection Strategy & Performance

• Define and refine detection strategies based on emerging fraud patterns and regulatory requirements
• Maintain and monitor key performance metrics (precision, recall, false positives, alert quality)
• Influence tradeoff decisions between detection coverage, operational cost, and false positive rates

Governance & Regulatory Alignment

• Define governance standards for model development, validation, documentation, and change management
• Ensure compliance with regulatory expectations (BSA/AML, OFAC, FinCEN, SR 11-7)
• Partner with Model Risk Management and Compliance to support validation and regulatory reviews

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Serve as the primary technical partner to Fraud Operations, Compliance, and Technology teams
• Translate regulatory and operational requirements into technical execution plans
• Drive alignment across teams to enable effective detection capability implementation

Team Leadership & Project Ownership

• Lead cross-functional project teams through ML model and AI workflow development, from conception to deployment
• Establish clear priorities, performance expectations, and delivery accountability for project work
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to data scientists and engineers executing on risk initiatives
• Build and strengthen team capabilities across detection modeling, data engineering, and AI/agentic systems

What you’ll bring:

Experience

• 7+ years in data science, machine learning or MLOps
• Proven experience developing, deploying, and maintaining detection models (fraud, AML, or credit risk) in production environments
• Hands-on experience with AI-assisted workflows, LLMs, and agentic frameworks (including pilot-stage deployments)
• Experience in regulated financial services or fintech environments preferred
• Exposure to model risk management frameworks (SR 11-7) and regulatory interactions

Technical & Domain Expertise

• Strong proficiency in Python and SQL
• MLOps experience: Git, GitHub Actions, CI/CD practices, model monitoring, retraining pipelines, infrastructure automation
• Hands-on experience with data science platforms (Databricks, Snowflake, AWS SageMaker)
• AWS ecosystem expertise: SageMaker, Glue, Lambda, EventBridge, and related services
• Familiarity with LLM and agentic frameworks: foundational models (Claude, GPT, etc.), agent orchestration tools (AWS AgentCore, LangChain, etc.)
• Understanding of fraud typologies, AML transaction monitoring methodologies, and detection system design

Leadership Profile

• Resourceful and versatile: thrives in a small, fast-moving team; comfortable wearing multiple hats and delivering with constrained resources
• Startup mentality: pragmatic problem-solver who ships solutions; bias toward execution and measurable outcomes
• Combines technical depth with collaborative leadership. Guides project teams through ambiguous problems and drives clarity, structure, and delivery
• Collaborates effectively across Risk, Compliance, and Technology functions; comfortable operating in ambiguity and translating strategy into action

About the team

Our inclusive and global teams win together every day. We’re proud to have the best minds in the industry, who you can learn from as you grow your career. The people, the energy, the connections – it’s unmatched. Come and be part of an ever-evolving company and get dynamic opportunities that go beyond borders.

What makes a Globalpayer?

Globalpayers think like a client, act like an owner and win as one team. We’re curious and innovative –always finding better ways to deliver impact. We empower each other to make decisions, and it’s our passion that drives excellence in everything we set out to do.

$150,300.00 - 201,400.00

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.

Benefits:

Global Payments offers a comprehensive benefits package to all of our team members, including medical, dental and vision care, EAP programs, paid time off, recognition programs, retirement and investment options, charitable gift matching programs, and worldwide days of service.

Please note that the deadline for applications is December 1, 2026.

Candidates and applicants are advised they may redact age information from requested items like transcripts, resumes, and certificates attached to their application for positions that can be performed in Colorado.

At this time, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future immigration sponsorship.

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Candidates and applicants are advised they may redact age information from requested items like transcripts, resumes, and certificates attached to their application for positions that can be performed in Colorado.

EEOC Statement

Global Payments is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, genetic information, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics. The EEO is the Law poster is available here.

If you are made a conditional offer of employment and will be working in the United States, you will be required to undergo a drug test. In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies and requirements needed to successfully perform the position. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for individuals with qualified disabilities both during the hiring process, as well as to allow the individual to perform the essential functions of the job, if hired.

Washington Candidates: Click here for information on the Fair Chance Act.