Data Scientist/ Senior Data Engineer – Finance Transformation

Is the opportunity to join a culture where “We Do the Right Thing,” and “We Courageously Shape Our Future Together” important to you? If so, Guardian is seeking a resolute motivated individual to join our team as a Data Scientist/Senior Data Engineer – Finance Transformation.

Guardian is seeking a technically skilled and business-savvy Technical Analyst / Data Engineer to design, develop, and support advanced actuarial and financial applications. This role will play a critical part in transforming our actuarial and finance functions by building scalable data pipelines, dashboards, and machine learning models that enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.

You will work closely with Actuarial, Finance, Data Science, and Technology teams to deliver solutions used in reserving, pricing, predictive analytics, and financial reporting.

You will:

• Machine Learning, Engineering & Analytics Development

  • Build and optimize large-scale data pipelines using PySpark, SQL, and Python on cloud platforms such as Databricks and AWS

  • Utilizing advanced statistical and AI/ML techniques to develop, deploy, and support predictive models and actuarial tools used for reserving, pricing, and FP&A (e.g., claims projection model, LTD Reserving model)

  • Automate manual actuarial/finance processes by integrating coding workflows with structured datasets and business logic

  • Support use case development that includes initial data exploration, project/sample design, reception, and processing of data, performing analysis and modeling to creation of final report/presentation

  • Data wrangling/data matching/ETL to explore a variety of data sources, gain data expertise, perform summary analyses, and prepare modeling datasets

  • Identification of source data and data quality checks both in model/solution development and in production

  • Packaging of model/solution and deployment in cooperation with Data Engineers and MLOps

  • Implement new statistical or other mathematical methodologies as needed for specific models or analysis.

• Data Integration & Validation

  • Work across data domains to ingest, cleanse, and structure financial and actuarial datasets from multiple sources (e.g., Claims systems, Billing and Commissions system)

  • Implement robust data quality checks and reconciliation controls to ensure accuracy and completeness of critical reporting and modeling datasets

• Collaboration & Documentation

  • Collaborate with actuaries, finance SMEs, and business analysts to translate complex requirements into efficient technical designs.

  • Maintain clear documentation for code, data flows, model logic, and user instructions.

You have

• Technical Expertise & Domain Knowledge

  • 6–8 years in a data engineering, actuarial modeling, or analytics-focused technical role, ideally in Group insurance or Financial services

  • 2+ years of hands-on ML modeling/development experience

  • Solid understanding of data analysis and statistical modeling.

  • Knowledge of a variety of machine learning techniques (clustering, decision tree, bagging/boosting artificial neural networks, etc.) and their real-world advantages/drawbacks.

  • Demonstrated track records in experimental design and executions

  • Hands-on experience with data wrangling including fuzzy matching and regular expression, distributed computing and applying parallelism to ML solutions

  • Strong programming skills in Python

  • Solid background in algorithms and a range of ML models

  • Working knowledge of Pricing and actuarial processes, or Group insurance product structures

  • Proficiency in Python, PySpark, and SQL is essential

  • Experience working with Databricks, Tableau, Power BI, or similar visualization and cloud platform

  • Exposure to ML/AI libraries and framework to develop or enhance models

• Soft Skills

  • Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail

  • Self-starter who thrives in fast-paced, cross-functional teams

• Education

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Finance, or a related discipline or equivalent experience.

• Preferred Qualifications

  • Hands-on experience building valuation, reserving, or pricing models for group insurance products

  • Experience in agile or SAFe environments with sprint planning, Jira, or Confluence

  • Strategic and creative thinker with ability to think outside the box and translate strategies into actions

  • Excellent problem-solving skills

  • Team player with proven ability to foster and manage working relationships within a matrix environment

  • Candidate must be comfortable with ambiguity in strategic direction. Priorities will change as current uncertainties become new standards and shape the market. There must be constant balance between proactive and reactive strategy and execution.

  • Candidate must work well in a collaborative and diverse team environment, understanding and employing the approach and standard operating procedures of all functional areas across Guardian

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills

Location:   

Hybrid role - 3 days in a Guardian office located in Holmdel, NJ; Bethlehem PA; or Hudson Yards, NYC. 2 days WFH. 10% Travel to other offices as determined by the People Leader

Salary Range:

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals.  Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits. Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected]. Please note: this resource is for accommodation requests only. For all other inquires related to your application and careers at Guardian, refer to the Guardian Careers site.

Visa Sponsorship

Guardian is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment visas. In order to be a successful applicant. you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship.

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.