Sr. Data Scientist

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

Visa U.S.A. Inc., a Visa Inc. company, needs a Sr. Data Scientist (multiple openings) in Washington, DC to:

• Use and build predictive models to innovate and optimize customer experiences, revenue generation, data insights, advertising targeting, and other business outcomes.
• Manage client and stakeholder relationships – particularly the technical components and the communications of those technical components to non-technical members.
• Provide technical leadership in a team that generates business insights based on big data, identifies impactful recommendations, and communicates findings to clients.
• Apply data science techniques and innovative thinking to our unique datasets to help clients solve complex problems and drive innovation.
• Utilize tools such as Presto, DBViz, DataGrip, and MLP for data access, and modeling frameworks like Pytorch, Gradient boosted trees (ex xgboost, catboost, and lightgbm) and time series forecasting for model development.
• Designing, scheduling, and orchestrating complex data workflows and ETL pipelines using Apache Airflow to ensure reliable and scalable data processing.
• Applying statistical hypothesis testing methods (t-tests, chi-square tests, ANOVA, non-parametric tests) to evaluate business hypotheses and guide strategic recommendations.
• Developing interactive data visualizations and dashboards using tools such as Plotly, Tableau, and Power BI to communicate insights effectively to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Lead data science projects from scoping to delivery, engaging with internal and external partners throughout the process.
• Connect with clients to understand their challenges and use data to deliver compelling, actionable solutions.
• Identify opportunities to develop scalable products from analyses that can benefit multiple clients.
• Collaborate across the organization to uncover opportunities where Visa data can drive business solutions.
• Synthesize ideas and proposals in writing and engage in productive discussions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide mentorship in modern analytic techniques and their business applications.
• Prioritize and manage multiple data science projects involving diverse, cross-functional teams.
• Domestic travel is required up to 5% of the time.
• Position reports to the Washington, DC office and may allow for partial telecommuting.

Basic Qualifications:

Employer will accept a Master's degree in Data Science, Engineering or related field and 2 years of experience in the job offered or in a Data Scientist-related occupation.

Position requires experience in the following:

1. Analyzing and working with large data sets using programming languages such as Python, R, SQL, Hive, and Spark.
2. Data access tools including Presto, DBViz, DataGrip, and MLP.
3. Developing and optimizing machine learning models and algorithms using scikit-learn, xgboost, Pytorch, TensorFlow, Keras, Optuna and ARIMA.
4. Data automation and MLOps experience (Tuber, Airflow and MLFlow).
5. Presenting evidence-based insights and conveying relevant recommendations to stakeholders.
6. Data visualizations and dashboarding tools such as Plotly, Tableau, and Power BI to communicate insights effectively to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
7. Experiment design and statistical hypothesis testing methods including Bayesian methods, t-tests, chi-square tests, ANOVA, non-parametric tests, and A/B testing to evaluate business strategies.
8. Distributed computing experience using Ray.
9. Communication with non-technical audiences and ability to develop and drive a presentation.
10. Knowledge of familiarity implementing advanced statistical approaches to new and existing pipelines.
11. Building custom python packages for automation.
12. Experience navigating the payments landscape in a project management capacity, with a strong understanding of industry dynamics.

Worksite: Washington, DC

This is a hybrid position. Hybrid employees can alternate time between both remote and office. Employees in hybrid roles are expected to work from the office 2-3 set days a week (determined by leadership/site), with a general guidepost of being in the office 50% or more of the time based on business needs.

Travel Requirements: Domestic travel is required up to 5% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting.  The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.  Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for this position is $145,300.00 to $232,700.00 USD per year, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.