Staff Applied AI and Machine Learning Engineer, Payments & Risk

Staff Applied AI and Machine Learning Engineer, Payments & Risk

About Gusto

At Gusto, we're on a mission to grow the small business economy. We handle the hard stuff—like payroll, health insurance, 401(k)s, and HR—so owners can focus on their craft and customers. With teams in Denver, San Francisco, and New York, we're proud to support more than 400,000 small businesses across the country, and we're building a workplace that represents and celebrates the customers we serve. Learn more about our Total Rewards philosophy .

About the Role

Gusto's Data Science team leverages Gusto's rich dataset to guide product direction and decision-making. We operate full-stack, conducting analyses, prototyping and deploying predictive models and statistical tools both for internal use and for our customers.

For this role, we are looking for a technical leader (an individual contributor) to drive machine learning and AI in the payment and risk domains. You will build a model-driven risk platform to provide a trusted environment for Gusto Ecosystem.

You'll be working with an established team and seasoned payments and risk leaders in Engineering, Product, Design, Operation, Identity and Compliance. In this role, you'll work cross functionally to build Platforms that span the entire breadth of the Payments and Risk Stacks, and use ML and AI to build a world- class, high secure platform that safeguards our users' activities and money, and ensures unparalleled reliability.

Here's what you'll do day-to-day :

Build and deploy machine learning models to identify, assess and mitigate risks

Responsible for driving research in the problem space, working with stakeholders to understand model requirements, developing the model from scratch, deploying the model alongside your engineering counterparts, and monitoring and maintaining the model's performance over time

Partner with Engineering, Design, and Product counterparts in Payment and Risk to solve complex cross functional problems

Develop scalable frameworks and libraries that enhance and contribute to the team's core analysis and modeling capabilities, including through the integration of LLMs to improve data processing, analysis, and insights.

Identify new opportunities to leverage data to improve Gusto's products and help risk management team to understand business requirements and develop tailored solutions

Present and communicate results to stakeholders across the company

Here's what we're looking for :

8+ years of experience conducting statistical analyses on large datasets and deep domain knowledge in machine learning and artificial intelligence, including familiarity with Large Language Models (LLMs) and their applications. This could mean either a MS or PhD in a quantitative field with at least 5 years experience in a business environment, or BS or Data Science Bootcamp graduate with at least 8 years of experience working as a data scientist or a machine learning engineer in a business setting.

Proven experience in credit risk modeling or fraud risk modeling using logistic regression, random forest, Xgboost or neural networks, along with a strong understanding of AI-based approaches and the potential of LLMs to enhance traditional models.

Experience applying a variety of statistical and modeling techniques using Python, R or another statistical modeling language, as indicated by familiarity with many of the following techniques - predictive modeling, anomaly detection, ensemble methods, natural language processing (NLP, optional). Basic understanding of LLMs and their applications.

Strong programming skills - comfortable with all phases of the data science development process, from initial analysis and model development to deployment

Excellent communication skills - able to effectively deliver findings and recommendations to non-technical stakeholders in a clear and compelling fashion

PhD or Masters plus equivalent experience in a quantitative field is a plus

Experience in the Fintech industry is a plus

Our cash compensation amount for this role is targeted at $225,000 - $285,000 for San Francisco, New York, and Seattle, $205,000- $255,000 in Los Angeles, $187,000 - $235,000 in Denver, and $200,000 - $250,000 CAD for Toronto, Canada. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience and expertise and may vary from the amounts listed above.

Gusto has physical office spaces in Denver, San Francisco, and New York City. Employees who are based in those locations will be expected to work from the office on designated days approximately 2-3 days per week (or more depending on role). The same office expectations apply to all Symmetry roles, Gusto's subsidiary, whose physical office is in Scottsdale.

When approved to work from a location other than a Gusto office, a secure, reliable, and consistent internet connection is required. This includes non-office days for hybrid employees.

Our customers come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for small businesses, you will find a home at Gusto.

Gusto is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. Gusto considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Gusto is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. We want to see our candidates perform to the best of their ability. If you require a medical or religious accommodation at any time throughout your candidate journey, please fill out this form and a member of our team will get in touch with you.

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