Model Validator I

USAA•San Antonio, TX

1d•Remote

About The Position

USAA Federal Savings Bank is seeking a Model Validator I to execute independent second line of defense model validation activities for high risk in-house and vendor models. This role leverages expert technical approaches to develop and execute validation testing plans. The Model Validator may replicate model development and develop challenger models through various advanced techniques including predictive modeling, machine learning, deep learning, time-series modeling/forecasting, stress testing, heuristic models, actuarial models, simulation, optimization, and/or other highly specialized techniques. The position involves conducting and developing plans for model testing and data quality assessments for models using various types of datasets, including large and unstructured datasets. The role requires reviewing the end-to-end life-cycle management of model development, implementation, ongoing monitoring, and use in Banking and Insurance (Property & Casualty and Life) sectors, along with their corresponding business support functions and operational processes. Responsibilities include assessing model inherent risk ratings, model declassifications applications, the materiality of model changes, and conducting model change validations for all types of models. The Model Validator will also oversee and advise on the model validation work of peers, produce and deliver validation reports and related work to management and stakeholders, and execute the independent model validation process compliant with written risk and compliance policies and procedures. The role also involves evaluating model risk control strengths and professionally developing on emerging modeling techniques and approaches. This position may telecommute.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science, Data Science, Engineering, Computer Science or related field and 4 years of experience in the job offered or in a Model Validator related occupation.
OR Master’s degree in Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science, Data Science, Engineering, Computer Science or related field and 2 years of experience in the job offered or in a Model Validator related occupation.
Unsupervised Learning, K-Means, Linear or Logistic Regression
Time-Series or Forecasting, Stress Testing, Gaussian Processes
Simulation Models, Boosting or Bagging Trees, Neural Networks, Deep Learning Concepts, and Bayesian Estimators
Model Validation Lifecycle: Conceptual soundness, implementation review, outcomes testing, documentation, model risk management, regulatory compliance (e.g., SR 11-7)
R, Python (NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, scikit-learn, and statsmodels), SAS, and SQL
XGBoost, LightGBM, Catboost, and TensorFlow or PyTorch
Domino Lab, AWS SageMaker, Snowflake, Git, and Linux
Business operations knowledge in Banking or Insurance and related modeling and analytics skills

Responsibilities

Executes independent second line of defense model validation activities for high risk in-house and vendor models.
Develops and executes validation testing plans using expert technical approaches.
Replicates model development and may develop challenger models through predictive modeling, machine learning, deep learning, time-series modeling/forecasting, stress testing, heuristic models, actuarial models, simulation, optimization, and/or other highly specialized techniques.
Conducts and develops plans for model testing and data quality assessments for models using various types of datasets including those leveraging large datasets and unstructured datasets.
Reviews the end-to-end life-cycle management of model development, implementation, ongoing monitoring, and use in areas of Banking and Insurance (Property & Casualty and Life) along with their corresponding business support functions and operational processes.
Assesses model inherent risk ratings, model declassifications applications, the materiality of model changes, and conducts model change validations for all types models.
Oversees and advises the model validation work of peers.
Produces and delivers validation reports and related validation work to model validation management, model stakeholders, senior leadership, and others.
Executes the independent model validation process compliant with the written risk and compliance policies and procedures.
Evaluates model risk control strengths around model development, implementation, and use.
Professionally develops on emerging modeling techniques and approaches.