Principal Data Scientist (Card Decision Science)

Overview

Navy Federal Credit Union currently does not provide sponsorship for this role. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Provide independent data science, machine learning, and analytical insights using member, financial, and organizational data to support mission critical decision making for various areas of the organization. Understand business needs and identify opportunities for new products, services, and process optimization to meet business objectives through the use of cutting-edge data science. Create descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive models and insights to drive impact across the organization. Regarded as an advanced professional in the data science field. Conduct complex work under minimal supervision and with wide latitude for independent judgment. Mentor lower level staff.

This position is eligible for the TalentQuest employee referral program. If an employee referred you for this job, please apply using the system-generated link that was sent to you.

Responsibilities

• Lead credit card risk strategy and model design, with a focus on line management, behavior modeling, and portfolio profitability
• Develop data-driven risk and member treatment strategies using internal and external data
• Monitor strategy performance and portfolio trends, and translate insights into strategy refinements
• Design, develop, and evaluate large and complex predictive models and advanced algorithms
• Test hypotheses/models, analyze, and interpret results
• Develop actionable insights and recommendations
• Develop and code complex software programs, algorithms, and automated processes
• Use evaluation, judgment, and interpretation to select right course of action
• Work on problems of diverse scopes where analysis of information requires evaluation of identifiable factors
• Produce innovative solutions driven by exploratory data analysis from complex and high-dimensional datasets
• Transform data into charts, tables, or format that aids effective decision making
• Utilize effective written and verbal communication to document analyses and present findings and analyses to a diverse audience of stakeholders
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with team members, subject matter experts, and leaders
• Lead moderate to large projects and initiatives
• Model best practices and ethical AI
• Works with senior management on complex issues
• Assist with the development and enhancement practices, procedures, and instructions
• Serve as technical resource for other team members
• Mentor lower levels

Qualifications

• 6+ years of direct experience in the credit card risk strategy or analytics
• Hands-on experience across the credit strategy analytics lifecycle, including strategy and model development, validation, implementation, and post-implementation monitoring
• Strong risk analytics skills and understanding of P&L and key risk drivers
• Proven ability to leverage internal member, bureau, and third-party data to generate actionable insights and solve business problems
• Strong knowledge of statistical modeling, experimental design, and machine learning techniques
• Complete knowledge and full understanding of specialization
• Statistics, machine learning, data mining, data auditing, aggregation, reconciliation, and visualization
• Programming, data modeling, simulation, and advanced mathematics
• SQL, R, Python, Hadoop, SAS, SPSS, Scala, AWS
• Model lifecycle execution
• Technical writing
• Data storytelling and technical presentation skills
• Research Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Advanced knowledge of procedures, instructions and validation techniques
• Model Development
• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Collaborate and Build Relationships
• Initiative with sound judgement
• Technical (Big Data Analysis, Coding, Project Management, Technical Writing, etc.)
• Independent Judgment
• Problem Solving (Identifies the constraints and risks)
• Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computers Science, Engineering, or degrees in similar quantitative fields

Desired Qualifications

• Master's/PhD Degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computers Science, or Engineering

Additional Information

Hours:

• Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM

Location:

• 820 Follin Lane, Vienna, VA 22180

About Us

Navy Federal provides much more than a job. We provide a meaningful career experience, including a culture that is energized, engaged and committed; and fierce appreciation for our teams, who are rewarded with highly competitive pay and generous benefits and perks. Our approach to careers is simple yet powerful: Make our mission your passion. * FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For 2026 * Yello and WayUp Top 100 Internship Programs 2025 * Computerworld Best Places to Work in IT 2026 * Most Loved Workplace - America's Top Most Loved Workplaces 2025 * 2025 PEOPLE Companies That Care * Newsweek Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2026 * Military Times 2025 Best for Vets Employers * Forbes 2026 America's Best Large Employers * Forbes 2025 America's Best Employers for New Grads * Forbes 2025 America's Best Employers for Tech Workers * 2025 RippleMatch Campus Forward Award Winner for Overall Excellence * Military.com Top Military Spouse Employers 2025 * 2026 Handshake Early Talent Award * Newsweek America's Greatest Workplaces for Culture, Belonging and Community 2026 From Fortune Magazine. 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune and Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For are registered trademarks of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune Magazine, Fortune Media (USA) Corporation, and its affiliates are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Navy Federal Credit Union. Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or any other basis protected by applicable law. Accommodations: If you need accommodation or assistance for a qualifying condition to complete the online application (or during any stage of the hiring process), you can contact Navy Federal's Medical Accommodations team at View email address on click.appcast.io or by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io. This team cannot provide any information on job postings or application status. Disclaimers: Navy Federal reserves the right to fill this role at a higher/lower grade level based on business need. An assessment may be required to compete for this position. Job postings are subject to close early or extend out longer than the anticipated closing date at the hiring team's discretion based on qualified applicant volume. Navy Federal Credit Union assesses market data to establish salary ranges that enable us to remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range, based on your experience, location and market position. For additional details regarding compensation and benefits, review the Benefits page of the Navy Federal Career Site. Protect Yourself from Job Scams: Navy Federal Credit Union jobs are posted on our career site, jobs.navyfederal.org and reputable job boards (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed). We do not post jobs on social media marketplaces, messaging apps or unverified websites. We will never ask candidates for payment, bank details or personal financial information during the hiring process. Bank Secrecy Act: Remains cognizant of and adheres to Navy Federal policies and procedures, and regulations pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act.