Salary: $70.00 to $75.00 hourly Description About the Role We are looking for a pragmatic, business-minded Data Scientist to design, build, and defend production-ready machine-learning models that power short-term lending products—from tax-refund advances to BNPL and installment loans. You’ll partner with product, risk, and engineering teams to turn raw data into fair, compliant, and actionable lending insights. What You’ll Do • Design, build, and iterate on supervised and unsupervised ML models (tree-based, regression, time-series, causal, clustering) to predict credit risk and optimize lending outcomes • Defend model choices and validation results with statistical rigor; track AUC, KS, Gini, PSI, and CSI to monitor performance and stability • Build reusable Python/SQL data pipelines for feature generation, model training, scoring, and reporting on ML & AI platform • Deploy and maintain models in collaboration with peer data scientists and ML engineers, ensuring robust CI/CD and automated monitoring • Translate model outputs into credit policy recommendations—PD calibration, reject inference, adverse-action logic, risk segmentation • Work with risk and product teams to align decision strategies with business goals and regulatory constraints (FCRA, ECOA, etc.) • Champion model interpretability and fairness audits; document assumptions, limitations, and controls to satisfy internal governance and external regulators Requirements What You’ll Bring • Bachelor’s or higher degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field • 2+ years of industry experience in Data Science or Machine Learning • 2+ years of hands-on experience with Python (pandas, numpy, scikit-learn, XGBoost, LightGBM) • Strong SQL skills for large-scale data extraction and transformation • Deep understanding of machine learning techniques including tree-based models, regression, time series, causal inference, and clustering • Ability to quickly gain statistical insight from large, complex datasets • Experience in credit risk, lending, or the fintech domain • Knowledge of credit risk modeling concepts such as PD calibration, reject inference, adverse action logic, and risk segmentation • Experience working with tax and/or credit bureau data (e.g., TransUnion, Experian, Equifax) • Familiarity with cash-flow data as an alternative or complementary source • Strong business acumen and problem-solving ability • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a collaborative mindset Nice-to-Have • Experience with internal ML infrastructure or similar platforms • Familiarity with fairness and model explainability tools (e.g., SHAP, LIME) • Exposure to short-term lending products like BNPL, tax refund advances, or POS installment loans Technology Doesn't Change the World, People Do.® Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit © 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to