Data Solutions & Validation Sr. Specialist

As a Senior Specialist, Model Validation & Analytics at Robinhood, you play a key role in protecting customers and ensuring strict compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Sanctions regulations. You execute the validation, testing, tuning, and optimization of various transaction monitoring and filtering programs across the Financial Crimes Team, partnering closely with the AML Surveillance Team, engineering partners, and cross-functional verticals to ensure financial crimes models and systems are accurately implemented, rigorously evaluated, and effectively calibrated to meet regulatory requirements.

What you'll do

• Perform independent, rigorous quantitative and qualitative analyses of rule-based and machine learning financial crimes surveillance models, filtering systems, and detection logic, targeting model design, algorithm soundness, data integrity, and change management
• Act as a technical bridge within a fast-paced fintech environment by leveraging expertise in data engineering, data modeling, and infrastructure. Collaborate with software engineers, data engineers, and data scientists to decipher complex logic, evaluate model implementations, test data pipelines, and support remediation of model issues
• Execute effective tuning methodologies and statistical analyses to continuously calibrate and enhance surveillance models, focusing on maximizing risk detection capabilities while reducing false positive volumes
• Conduct comprehensive data validation and logic testing initiatives to establish strong data quality, ensuring the completeness, accuracy, and end-to-end reliability of critical data pipelines and inputs feeding compliance models
• Serve as a knowledgeable subject matter resource in AML and Model Risk, providing practical domain insights and supporting cross-functional partners in understanding model logic, performance, and risk trade-offs
• Build strong working partnerships across engineering, product, and compliance teams to ensure technical solutions are conceptually sound, effective, and aligned with risk tolerance
• Uphold change and issue management policies for covered systems, models, and solutions, ensuring end-to-end traceability and maintaining defensible documentation for internal audit and external regulators
• Leverage AI tools, Large Language Models (LLMs), and automation techniques to enhance daily productivity, elevate deliverable quality, and optimize team workflows
• Author thorough, concise, and defensible validation reports, change and issue management documentation, and executive summaries that clearly explain model theory, testing logic, performance findings, and actionable recommendations

What you bring

• A Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in a quantitative, technical, or financial field such as Computer Science, Data Analytics, Statistics, or Finance
• 5+ years of experience across AML, Financial Crimes, or risk management within the financial services or fintech industry, with a focus on model validation, quantitative analysis, or surveillance system management
• 3+ years of direct experience in the verification, validation, testing, or tuning of AML rule-based systems and/or machine learning models, along with a working knowledge of core Model Risk Management (MRM) principles and governance standards
• Proficiency in SQL and experience using quantitative tools or programming languages such as Python or R to query large datasets, perform statistical analyses, and evaluate model performance
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical and quantitative concepts to non-technical partners, coupled with an ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment

What we offer

• Challenging, high-impact work to grow your career
• Performance-driven compensation with multipliers for outsized impact, bonus programs, and equity ownership
• 401(k) matching
• Best-in-class benefits including 100% paid health insurance for employees with 90% coverage for dependents
• A lifestyle wallet, a highly flexible benefits spending account for wellness, learning, and more
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance, fertility benefits, and mental health benefits
• Time off including company holidays, paid time off, sick time, and parental leave
• Exceptional office experience with catered meals, events, and comfortable workspaces
• Base pay: Zone 1 (Menlo Park, CA; New York, NY; Bellevue, WA; Washington, DC) $136,000-$160,000 USD; Zone 2 (Denver, CO; Westlake, TX; Chicago, IL) $120,000-$141,000 USD; Zone 3 (Lake Mary, FL; Clearwater, FL; Gainesville, FL) $106,000-$125,000 USD

This role is based in Denver, CO, New York, NY, or Westlake, TX, with in-person attendance expected at least 3 days per week.

About Robinhood

Robinhood's mission is to democratize finance for all. The Financial Crimes Team works across multiple verticals to protect customers and ensure strict compliance with all relevant AML and Sanctions regulations, leveraging innovative thinking, advanced analytics, and cutting-edge technology to build a best-in-class Financial Crimes Program.