The Role
Lead design and validation of models for compliance systems, build data pipelines, ensure model performance, and communicate findings effectively.
Summary Generated by Built In
Who We ArePerks & Benefits
At OKX, we believe that the future will be reshaped by crypto, and ultimately contribute to every individual's freedom.
OKX is a leading crypto exchange, and the developer of OKX Wallet, giving millions access to crypto trading and decentralized crypto applications (dApps). OKX is also a trusted brand by hundreds of large institutions seeking access to crypto markets. We are safe and reliable, backed by our Proof of Reserves.
Across our multiple offices globally, we are united by our core principles: We Before Me, Do the Right Thing, and Get Things Done. These shared values drive our culture, shape our processes, and foster a friendly, rewarding, and diverse environment for every OK-er.
OKX is a leading crypto exchange, and the developer of OKX Wallet, giving millions access to crypto trading and decentralized crypto applications (dApps). OKX is also a trusted brand by hundreds of large institutions seeking access to crypto markets. We are safe and reliable, backed by our Proof of Reserves.
Across our multiple offices globally, we are united by our core principles: We Before Me, Do the Right Thing, and Get Things Done. These shared values drive our culture, shape our processes, and foster a friendly, rewarding, and diverse environment for every OK-er.
About the Opportunity
As a Senior Data Scientist in our Compliance Technology & Data Strategy function, you will play a key role in shaping our approach to governance, independent validation, and continuous improvement of our financial crime compliance (FCC) systems and data platforms. You will lead the design, testing, validation, and monitoring of advanced models and data pipelines that support our transaction monitoring (TM), customer risk rating (CRR), and watchlist screening engines across both fiat and crypto ecosystems.
You will work hands-on with large, complex datasets, building and validating rule-based and ML-enhanced models, developing new typology detection logic, and ensuring our systems remain robust and defensible in an evolving regulatory landscape. This is a highly technical, cross-functional role requiring strong programming, data engineering, and advanced analytics skills, along with an understanding of FCC domain risks.
You’ll partner closely with Compliance, Product, Engineering, and Risk teams to modernize our compliance technology stack, drive improvements in data pipelines and model explainability, and integrate cutting-edge blockchain intelligence and cross-chain analytics tools. Your work will directly impact our ability to detect and mitigate financial crime risks, meet regulatory expectations, and deliver trusted insights across our global operations.
What You’ll Be Doing- Design, test, and independently validate rule-based and machine learning models for transaction monitoring, customer risk scoring, sanctions and watchlist screening, and typology detection for both fiat and crypto transactions
- Build and optimize scalable data pipelines integrating blockchain analytics, on-chain and off-chain transaction data, and third-party intelligence tools to enhance risk detection
- Develop and execute robust testing strategies to assess model fitness, typology coverage, Type I and Type II error rates, and regulatory defensibility
- Design strategies to automate monitoring frameworks for model performance, data quality, and risk typology drift; implement advanced analytics to detect anomalies and continuously tune models
- Lead the development and execution of comprehensive metrics and data reporting frameworks, ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of key risk indicators, model performance metrics, and regulatory reporting requirements across all FCC models
- Build reproducible and production-ready notebooks, scripts, and workflows following best practices in version control, code testing, and documentation
- Leverage advanced anomaly detection techniques, clustering, and graph analytics to identify emerging financial crime typologies across large multi-source datasets
- Conduct deep-dive data investigations, develop new detection typologies, and translate FCC risk scenarios into effective, explainable models and analytics
- Partner with Product and Engineering to drive enhancements to compliance data architecture, including streaming pipelines, data integrations, and advanced analytics capabilities
- Lead remediation of data quality and model coverage gaps by executing data audits and root cause analysis; maintain thorough documentation and audit trails for regulatory readiness
- Deploy containerized data science workflows and collaborate with engineering teams to integrate models seamlessly into production environments (e.g., using Docker, Kubernetes, or cloud pipelines)
- Contribute to developing reusable data science tools, libraries, or model templates that improve the speed and consistency of future compliance analytics work
- Stay current on regulatory expectations and industry best practices for model governance, validation, and development (NYDFS, FATF, HKMA, MAS, FCA, etc.)
- Produce clear, actionable reports and data visualizations to communicate findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Proactively research and experiment with new open-source tools and techniques that could enhance our FCC model governance and analytics capability
- 7+ years of hands-on experience in data science, machine learning, or advanced analytics, ideally in the FCC, AML, KYC, or fraud detection domain
- Proven experience building and validating data models using programming languages such as Python, SQL, Java, R, or similar
- Strong skills in data engineering, large-scale data pipelines, ETL/ELT processes, and streaming analytics (Spark, Kafka, Snowflake, or equivalent)
- Familiarity with blockchain analytics tools (e.g., Chainalysis, TRM Labs, Elliptic) and understanding of on-chain transaction monitoring is highly desirable
- Experience with building, tuning, and monitoring rule-based and ML models for financial crime detection, risk scoring, or sanctions screening
- Solid background in building and maintaining scalable data pipelines, streaming analytics, and working with large, complex datasets
- Experience deploying models into production environments, working with containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and cloud data tools
- Solid understanding of typology detection, false positive/negative tuning, and regulatory model validation expectations
- Strong background in data visualization and reporting using BI tools (Tableau, Looker, Power BI, or similar)
- Excellent communication skills to present complex technical findings and recommendations to diverse stakeholders
- Proven ability to work independently in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment
- Competitive total compensation package
- L&D programs and Education subsidy for employees' growth and development
- Various team building programs and company events
- Comprehensive healthcare schemes for employees and dependants
- More that we love to tell you along the process!
OKX Statement:
OKX is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, genetic information, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, lawful alien status, national origin, age, marital status, and non-job related physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
- The salary range for this position is $143,000- $214,000
- The salary offered depends on a variety of factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location. In addition to the salary, a performance bonus and long-term incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, as well as a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Applicants should apply via OKX internal or external careers site.
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Top Skills
Docker
Java
Kafka
Kubernetes
Looker
Power BI
Python
R
Snowflake
Spark
SQL
Tableau
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The Company
What We Do
Founded in 2017, OKX is one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency spot and derivatives exchanges. OKX innovatively adopted blockchain technology to reshape the financial ecosystem by offering some of the most diverse and sophisticated products, solutions, and trading tools on the market. Trusted by more than 20 million users in over 180 regions globally, OKX strives to provide an engaging platform that empowers every individual to explore the world of crypto.
In addition to its world-class DeFi exchange, OKX serves its users with OKX Insights, a research arm that is at the cutting edge of the latest trends in the cryptocurrency industry. With its extensive range of crypto products and services, and unwavering commitment to innovation, OKX’s vision is a world of financial access backed by blockchain and the power of decentralized finance.
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