Director, Data Science and Machine Learning

POSITION TITLE: Director, Data Science and Machine Learning

Position Summary:

We’re looking for a data science leader to lead high-impact machine learning initiatives that drive business outcomes across the mortgage lifecycle—from acquisition to servicing. In this hands-on role, you’ll design and deploy machine learning models, advanced analytics, and experimentation frameworks that power data-driven decisioning at scale. You’ll translate complex business problems into scalable, production-ready data science solutions, with a focus on predictive modeling, customer segmentation, conversion optimization, and automation of decision workflows in the mortgage domain. This role reports to a senior leader in Data Science and is highly visible to top leadership, and across analytics, finance, and product teams.

Job Functions and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 

• Design and implement machine learning models and statistical techniques across key mortgage workflows—such as risk scoring, churn prediction, segmentation, and structured document processing where applicable—to improve metrics like Conversion Rate, Delinquency Rate, and Customer Lifetime Value (CLV).
• Work closely with cross-functional partners (Product, Marketing, Engineering, and Finance) to identify opportunities for automation and insight generation using advanced analytics.
• Translate business problems across the mortgage lifecycle (e.g., underwriting, servicing, collections) into well-scoped modeling initiatives.
• Drive the development of automation-enhanced decision systems (e.g., pre-fill models for underwriting, early delinquency risk alerts, servicing escalation predictors) to enhance operational efficiency and user experience.
• Build robust data pipelines and modeling systems in collaboration with data engineering, ensuring scalability, monitoring, and model governance in production environments.
• Apply state-of-the-art techniques in self-supervised learning, graph-based modeling, and Bayesian mixture models to extract value from complex behavioral and relational data (e.g., referral networks, shared IP patterns).
• Contribute to a culture of excellence by publishing internal best practices, conducting peer reviews, and mentoring early-career data scientists informally (with no requirement to directly manage people).
• Actively contribute to the broader data science and machine learning community through publications, conference presentations, open-source contributions, or internal/external thought leadership, helping establish the company as a leader in applied AI for mortgage and financial services.
• Apply natural language processing (NLP) techniques as needed for tasks such as structured document parsing, entity extraction from disclosures, or classification of customer inquiries.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and model auditability, particularly in financial and regulatory-sensitive applications.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following education and/or experience:

• Minimum education required: Masters or PhD in engineering/math/statistics/economics, or a related field
• Minimum years of experience required: 6 (or 3, post-PhD), ideally in mortgage, fintech, or financial services
• Required certifications: None
• Specific skill or ability needed 
  • Strong analytical and modeling skills, with experience applying machine learning to structured, unstructured, and semi-structured mortgage or financial data.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate business objectives into technical modeling goals and measurable success metrics. 
  • Experience building models for fraud detection, CLV estimation, or risk scoring is required; experience with NLP for structured document classification or disclosure review, compliance automation or underwriting is a plus.
  • Familiarity with modern ML Ops practices (data/model versioning, CI/CD, performance monitoring, and bias detection).
  • Experience with regulatory compliance, privacy, and auditability in model development (e.g., ECOA, RESPA, CFPB regulations).
  • Excellent communication skills for both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including ability to present complex results with clarity.
• Minimum software or applications experience required/preferred
  • Advanced proficiency with Python (including scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras), SQL, and distributed computing tools (e.g., Spark, Hadoop).
• Minimum experience required using mobile technology: None
• Any other requirements an ideal applicant needs to have that is not covered by above: None

Training / Licensing Requirements: 

• Must pass the Company’s Background Screening process prior to beginning employment. Additionally, as a condition of employment, you may be required to pass client-specific background check requirements or Federal/State licensing requirements, if applicable.

 The salary range for this position is expected to be $180,000 – $210,000 per year, depending on geographic location, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.This position is also eligible for [bonus] [commissions] [long-term incentive compensation awards] based on performance and subject to the terms of the Company’s applicable plans.

Onity Group Inc. is a leading non-bank mortgage servicer and originator providing solutions through its primary brands, PHH Mortgage and Liberty Reverse Mortgage. PHH Mortgage is one of the largest servicers in the country, focused on delivering a variety of servicing and lending programs. Liberty is one of the nation’s largest reverse mortgage lenders dedicated to education and providing loans that help customers meet their personal and financial needs. Onity Group Inc. and its subsidiaries are committed to helping homeowners and delivering exceptional service and value to customers, clients and investors.

At Onity Group Inc., we consistently deliver on our commitments to customers, clients, investors and colleagues through caring service, integrity and creative solutions. This Service Excellence philosophy is embraced by meeting service standards we call CARE, which stands for Caring, Accurate, Responsive and Empowered. We expect all employees to interact and engage our colleagues and our customers with respect, courtesy and professionalism, and to achieve results consistent with our CARE standards.

Onity Group Inc. is intensely focused on hiring, developing and retaining the best talent in the industry! Our commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion ensures that we sustain our reputation as an outstanding place to work, a great business partner and a valued community member. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Onity Group Inc. offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision; up to 3% match on 401(k) contributions; generous paid time off; company-paid life, accident and disability coverage; programs for mental, physical and financial wellness; and more. Visit jobs.onitygroup.com for details.