Model Validator I (Mid-level) - Quality Assurance

Why USAA?

At USAA, our mission is to empower our members to achieve financial security through highly competitive products, exceptional service and trusted advice. We seek to be the #1 choice for the military community and their families.

Embrace a fulfilling career at USAA, where our core values – honesty, integrity, loyalty and service – define how we treat each other and our members. Be part of what truly makes us special and impactful.

The Opportunity

We offer a flexible work environment that requires an individual to be in the office 4 days per week. This position can be based in one of the following locations: San Antonio, TX, Plano, TX, Phoenix, AZ, Colorado Springs, CO, Charlotte, NC, Chesapeake, VA or Tampa, FL. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Implements model risk validation oversight for the life-cycle management of models which includes conducing model validation activities. Drives the model validation oversight process aligned with the written risk and compliance policies and procedures which require independence from model stewards (e.g., model owners, developers, implementers, users, and other collaborators) throughout the lifecycle of the model's use and maintenance.

What you'll do:

• Implements independent model validation contactivities for lower risk, in-house and vendor, models. Conducts validation activities for low-risk, in-house models, and assists, under supervision and in collaboration with peers, on higher risk, complex and vendor models.
• Conducts back-testing, diagnostic testing, sensitivity analysis, benchmarking, and other validation tests/analyses on lower risk models; collaborates with senior-level validators for higher risk models.
• Implements and assists in replicating model development and may help develop challenger models through principles of predictive modeling, machine learning, time-series modeling/forecasting, stress testing, heuristic models, actuarial models, and/or other techniques.
• Reviews at a working experience level the end-to-end life-cycle management of model development, implementation, ongoing monitoring, and use in areas of Banking and Insurance (Property & Casualty and Life) along with their corresponding business support functions and operational processes.
• Assesses the materiality of model changes and conducts model change validations.
• Produces and delivers validation reports and related validation work to model validation management and model collaborators.
• Drives the independent model validation process aligned with the written risk and compliance policies and procedures at a working experience level. Evaluates model risk control strengths around model development, implementation, and use

What you have:

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field, such as Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science, Data Science, Engineering, Computer Science, or a Related Field with Core Quantitative Curriculum. Four additional years of related experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted in lieu of a degree.
• 4 years of related work experience in model validation, model development, statistical analysis, and/or advanced quantitative research.

Or

• Advanced degree (e.g., Master's, PhD) in a quantitative field, such as Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science, Data Science, Engineering, Computer Science, or Related Field with Core Quantitative Curriculum and 2 years of related work experience in model validation, model development, statistical analysis, and/or advanced quantitative research.
• Experience communicating verbally and in-writing quantitative/technical concepts and conclusions to non-technical audiences and senior leadership.
• Proficient programming skills in R, Python, SAS, Java, C, SQL, and/or other comparable programming languages for the iterative methodological tenants of model and algorithm development including setting model specifications, assumption testing, data quality assessments, variable selection, back-testing, benchmarking, and other robust model testing.
• Working Experience with statistical, econometric, data science, or predictive modeling approaches including: Linear Regression; Time-Series/Forecasting; Logistic Regression; Machine Learning. Business context knowledge in operational and support functions of Banking and/or Insurance as well as associated modeling and analytics knowledge.

What sets you apart:

• Understanding of model validation audit, quality assurance process
• Ph. D in a quantitative subject area (e.g., Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Computer Science).
• Experience evaluating and challenging complex mod