Principal, Data Scientist

Role Responsibilities

Join Western Union as Principle AML Data Scientist, where you will define technical strategy, champion best practices, and drive innovation across global platforms. This role combines strategic leadership with deep technical expertise to deliver scalable, secure, and high-performing AI solutions.

In this critical role, you will lead the development of machine learning and deep learning solutions that power intelligent decision-making and innovative products. This role is ideal for someone with extensive experience in building, evaluating, and deploying ML and neural network models in production environments. You’ll collaborate cross-functionally to create and scale real-world AI applications that have direct impact on users and business performance.

Software / Data Science

• Define and deliver risk and compliance product features, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and business objectives.
• Develop and implement AML strategies, including transaction monitoring and risk scoring models to detect financial crime.
• Apply graph technology and network analysis to identify hidden relationships and assess customer risk across complex data sets.

Technical Leadership & Strategy

• Lead technical design and architecture across multiple AI/ML projects.
• Serve as the technical reference and evangelist for emerging technologies and enterprise integration patterns.
• Create and maintain technical documentation covering architecture, design, and integration needs.

Best Practices & Governance

• Ensure adherence to design patterns and enterprise integration standards.
• Define and implement effective DevOps strategies, including environment setup and release policies.

AI/ML Solution Delivery

• Oversee design and implementation of multi-tier distributed systems for AI-driven applications.
• Drive performance tuning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement for AI/ML platforms.

Collaboration & Mentorship

• Partner with globally distributed engineering teams to deliver high-quality solutions.
• Mentor and coach technical team members, fostering innovation and technical excellence.

Agile & Quality Assurance

• Apply Agile methodology and enforce Definition of Done (DoD) standards.
• Maintain high test coverage (80% unit, 70% integration) and ensure robust CI/CD pipelines.

Role Requirements

• BS in Computer Science or related field with 8+ years of experience (MS preferred).
• Proven experience in technical leadership roles, driving architecture and design for large-scale systems.
• Strong understanding of AI/ML principles, enterprise integration patterns, and modern software design.
• Expertise in Java, Python, or similar languages; experience with RESTful APIs, microservices, and cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure).
• Hands-on experience with DevOps, CI/CD, and MLOps frameworks.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with AI/ML applications (fraud detection, recommendation engines, NLP, computer vision).
• Familiarity with containerization (Docker/Kubernetes) and real-time data processing.
• Background in building high-performance systems handling billions of transactions.
• Strong knowledge of risk and compliance frameworks, including AML regulations and financial crime typologies.
• Proficiency in data science techniques and graph analytics using tools such as Neo4j or similar for network-based risk detection.
• Ability to translate regulatory requirements into technical solutions, with experience in product definition and stakeholder collaboration.

Work Shift

HYBRID - Western Union values in-person collaboration, problem solving, and ideation whenever possible. We believe this fosters common ways of working and supports how we execute initiatives for our customers. The expectation is to work from the office a minimum of three days a week.

BENEFITS AND OTHER DETAILS

Benefits

You will also have access to short-term incentives, multiple health insurance options, accident and life
insurance, and access to best-in-class development platforms, to name a few. Please see the benefits below specific to your country. If applicable, additional role-specific benefits will be mentioned during your interview process or in an offer of employment.

Your United States specific benefits include:

• Medical, Dental and Life Insurance  
• Parental Leave  
• One day volunteer time off  
• $0 Money Transfer Fee Discount Co