Sr. Mortgage Loan Underwriter - Construction (WA, ID & OR Only)

BECU•Remote, WA, WA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Sr. Mortgage Loan Underwriter at BECU, you’ll play a meaningful role in helping members achieve homeownership while protecting the integrity and quality of our lending portfolio. Your expertise in underwriting, problem-solving, and relationship-building will directly support members through one of the most important financial decisions of their lives. In this role, you’ll use your knowledge of construction lending programs, along with conventional, FHA/VA, and other specialized mortgage programs to make thoughtful, consistent lending decisions that align with investor and agency guidelines while keeping the member experience at the center of every interaction. You’ll collaborate across teams, offer creative lending solutions, mentor others, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that shape the future of mortgage lending at BECU. Your work will help create confidence, trust, and financial well-being for our members while empowering you to grow your expertise and influence within a collaborative, people-first environment. To join our dynamic team in this role, we require candidates to be residents of WA, ID or OR. If you’re located in Washington state and within a reasonable driving distance to our Tukwila Headquarters (TFC), we encourage you come into the office on Tuesdays & Wednesdays each week. For those candidates that live outside the commutable distance to TFC and in any of our approved remote work locations, this role will be primarily remote. Remote or onsite, we are committed to ensuring you are fully engaged and included in our collaborative environment.

Requirements

B.A. or B.S. degree in business or equivalent education or work experience.
Minimum of five years of underwriting experience.
Experience underwriting residential construction loans, including analysis of builder qualifications, construction contracts, project timelines, cost breakdowns, and draw management processes.
Proficient mathematical skills, with a high degree of accuracy.
Ability to perform complex income analysis.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze complex tax returns, including corporate, partnerships, and sub-s corporations.
Ability to perform under pressure in a team environment.
Effective leadership & negotiation skills.
Proficient verbal and written skills to effectively communicate.
Ability to perform in a multi-tasked environment, with ability to prioritize tasks.
Ability to work in high production, deadline-oriented environment.
Ability to adapt to change within working responsibilities, be it internal, market, or regulatory driven.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the Washington State lending market.
FHA DE and/or VA SAR designations highly.

Responsibilities

Perform prudent underwriting on conventional, FHA/VA, and special loan programs offered by the Credit Union while balancing risk management with exceptional member service.
Complete detailed reviews of loan files to ensure compliance with investor, FHA/VA, and BECU guidelines while identifying opportunities to structure solutions that support members’ goals.
Develop counteroffers and alternative lending options that help members qualify while maintaining underwriting quality and regulatory standards.
Review the complete credit package and collateral documentation to ensure residential mortgage loans meet investment-quality standards.
Confirm the accuracy of income calculations, loan-to-value ratios, and other critical financial components to support sound lending decisions.
Recommend loan disposition decisions to the Underwriting Manager, Mortgage Credit Administration when loan amounts exceed authorized lending authority.
Provide clear and timely written underwriting decisions to submitting processors to support efficient loan processing and a positive member experience.
Keep detailed underwriting activity logs and documentation to support operational consistency and compliance.
Partner closely with Mortgage Loan Origination staff, Processors, LQI, Hotline Team members, and colleagues to resolve challenges and support successful loan outcomes.
Provide guidance and interpretation of underwriting standards, policies, and loan scenarios to internal teams across the mortgage process.
Assist Loan Processors and Loan Officers with customer service inquiries, helping identify ways to restructure transactions that align with both member and Credit Union needs.
Assist in training underwriters, processors, and loan representatives by sharing expertise, best practices, and operational knowledge.
Clear property and credit conditions placed on loans to ensure complete and accurate loan approvals.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of mortgage lending guidelines, investor requirements, BECU policies, federal housing programs, veterans administration standards, and private mortgage insurer requirements.
Develop a strong understanding of Credit Union departments and how they support and interact with Mortgage Loan Origination operations.
Build and maintain thorough knowledge of all mortgage loan products, required forms, and supporting documentation offered by the Credit Union.
Stay informed on all applicable federal and state lending regulations, particularly those related to first-mortgage real property lending.
Participate in the development and enhancement of mortgage products, services, and operational improvements.
Help ensure written procedures are documented, maintained, and updated to provide staff with clear operational guidance and consistency.
Perform additional duties, as assigned, to support team success and organizational priorities.