Senior Data Scientist - NIRA

At Tilt (formerly Empower), we see a side of people that traditional lenders miss. Our mobile-first products and machine learning-powered credit models look beyond outdated credit scores, using over 250 real-time financial signals to recognize real potential. Named among the next billion-dollar startups, we're not just changing how people access financial products — we're creating a new credit system that backs the working, whatever they're working toward.

We’re looking for a highly analytical and technically skilled Data Scientist to lead the development and deployment of machine learning models for Nira Finance, our India-based lending business. This is a high-impact role where you'll work across product, engineering, and credit to build end-to-end model pipelines and help shape the future of financial services in India.

• Develop data standards, analytics pipelines, and new risk models for Tilt's business in India to uncover novel insights that move our business forward

• Collaborate closely with the credit team to influence and use models that solve business problems, monitor business outcomes and enhance analytical tools

• Work with Nira Finance’s leadership team to refine and execute the business plans and agenda

• Partner with other credit and data science teams operating internationally and in the US to identify transferable learnings, strategies, and synergies and help implement them

• Partner with leaders in product, engineering, marketing, and finance to ensure that the team’s work fits within the larger picture

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or Mathematics

• 4+ years of industry experience in data mining, machine learning, statistical analysis, and/or predictive modeling

• Deep understanding of statistics and machine learning techniques, including regression, classification, clustering and optimization; experience building predictive models from scratch

• Strong programming skills in Python with intermediate to advanced knowledge of SQL

• Demonstrable experience with ML packages: scikit-learn, LightGBM, XGBoost, SparkML, etc.

• Experience using LLM tools like Github Copilot, Cursor, or Windsurf to responsibly accelerate workflow. Understanding of the key tradeoffs between major model providers like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google

• Knowledge in deep learning and experience with DL toolkits (Tensorflow, Keras, PyTorch) is preferred though not required

• Comfort working with a variety of cross functional partners in tech, product, credit, and business

• Exceptionally strong problem solving and communication with the ability to both get in the weeds and communicate to an executive audience

• Location: Bangalore, India (preferred).

1. Initial Recruiter Call: A conversation to learn about your experience and what you're looking for in your next role.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper discussion about your background and approach to solving challenges.

3. Skills Panel: Meet with Tilt and NIRA team members to discuss your expertise and problem-solving approach through real-world scenarios.

4. Leadership Conversation: A final conversation with our CEO to discuss our mission and how you could contribute to it (and how we can help you achieve your career goals along the way).

Don’t meet every qualification? We care about potential over your past. If you're bringing ambition and drive to what we're building, we want to hear from you.

• Virtual-first teamwork: The Tilt team is collaborating across 14 countries, 12 time zones, and counting. You’ll get started with a WFH office reimbursement.

• Competitive pay: We're big on potential, and it's reflected in our competitive compensation packages and generous equity.

• Complete support: Find flexible health plans at every premium level, and substantial subsidies that stand up to global standards.

• Visibility is yours: You can count on direct exposure to our leadership team — we’re a team where good ideas travel quickly.

• Paid global onsites: Magic happens IRL: we gather twice yearly to reconnect over shared meals or kayaking adventures. (We’ve visited Vail, San Diego, and Mexico City, to name a few.)

• Impact is recognized: Growth opportunities follow your contributions, not rigid promotion timelines.

We're looking for people who chase excellence and impact. Those who stand behind their work, celebrating the wins and learning from the missteps equally. We foster an environment where every voice is valued and mutual respect is non-negotiable — brilliant jerks need not apply. We're in this together, working to expand access to fair credit and prove that people are incredible. When you join us, it's not just another day at the [virtual] office, you're helping millions of hardworking people reach better financial futures.

You’re pushing ahead in your career? We can get behind that. Join us in building the credit system that people deserve.