Machine Learning Engineer

About The Company

USAA is a leading financial services organization dedicated to serving the military community and their families. Our mission is to empower our members to achieve financial security through highly competitive products, exceptional service, and trusted advice. We pride ourselves on maintaining the core values of honesty, integrity, loyalty, and service, which guide our interactions with members and colleagues alike. USAA is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment that recognizes the unique needs of active-duty military spouses and personnel. Our flexible work arrangements, including remote and hybrid options, reflect our dedication to supporting the diverse needs of our workforce. Join us to be part of a company that makes a meaningful impact through innovation, dedication, and a deep commitment to our members.

About The Role

The Senior Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Engineer at USAA is a pivotal member of our AI engineering team. This role involves developing and deploying advanced AI and ML solutions across various lines of business to enhance our service capabilities and operational efficiencies. The engineer will work on cutting-edge projects such as sentiment analysis, agentic AI applications, and GenAI solutions, contributing to USAA’s goal of providing best-in-class service to our members. Responsibilities include data preprocessing, model training, API development, and building scalable data pipelines. The position offers an excellent opportunity to work on innovative projects in a collaborative environment, leveraging the latest technologies in cloud computing and data engineering. The role requires a hands-on approach, technical leadership, and the ability to translate complex AI concepts into practical solutions that align with business objectives. The position is based in San Antonio, TX, or Plano, TX, with a flexible work environment requiring onsite presence four days a week. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Qualifications

To succeed in this role, candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, with at least six years of relevant experience in machine learning engineering, data engineering, or software development. Extensive programming skills in Python, SQL, Java, and related technologies are essential. Candidates should have a proven track record of delivering end-to-end AI/ML solutions, including data pipeline creation, model development, and deployment. Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or similar, along with knowledge of ML Ops principles, is highly desirable. Demonstrated technical leadership, mentorship abilities, and effective communication skills are critical. A strong understanding of data science principles, stochastic modeling, and advanced mathematical techniques will set candidates apart. Knowledge of highly regulated industries such as financial services, insurance, or banking is advantageous, as is experience with tools like FastAPI, Snowflake, and OpenShift. Candidates should be capable of working in an agile environment, managing multiple projects, and applying best practices for automation and workflow optimization.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with data scientists and business partners to develop and implement machine learning models aligned with organizational goals.
• Provide technical feedback and guidance within the ML community, ensuring best practices and innovative approaches are adopted.
• Lead the entire lifecycle of machine learning engineering projects, including analysis, design, data pipeline development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Configure, manage, and optimize AI/ML infrastructure across cloud and on-prem environments, including AWS, GCP, and graph databases.
• Work closely with architects to influence and establish ML model implementation patterns suitable for complex environments.
• Design and develop complex technical solutions for AI, ML, and GenAI initiatives, creating prototypes and proof-of-concept models for leadership review.
• Mentor junior team members, fostering technical growth and knowledge sharing within the team.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with AI/ML projects, ensuring compliance with policies and standards.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to continuously improve AI/ML solutions and practices.

Benefits

USAA offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, financial, and emotional well-being of our employees. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan, pension options, life insurance, parental leave, adoption assistance, and paid time off that includes holidays and volunteer hours. We also provide a variety of wellness programs and resources to promote a healthy work-life balance. Our commitment to professional development is reflected in career path planning, continuing education opportunities, and leadership development programs. These benefits are designed to help employees thrive personally and professionally, fostering a productive and engaging work environment. For more detailed information about our benefits offerings, please visit our benefits page on the USAA website.

Equal Opportunity

USAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We value diversity and strive to foster a workplace that respects and celebrates individual differences. All employment decisions are made based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply and join our team dedicated to service excellence and innovation.