Sr. Data Scientist - Payments Risk Management Data Analytics

PayPal • Austin, TX

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Company PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. We operate a global, two-sided network at scale that connects hundreds of millions of merchants and consumers. We help merchants and consumers connect, transact, and complete payments, whether they are online or in person. PayPal is more than a connection to third-party payment networks. We provide proprietary payment solutions accepted by merchants that enable the completion of payments on our platform on behalf of our customers. We offer our customers the flexibility to use their accounts to purchase and receive payments for goods and services, as well as the ability to transfer and withdraw funds. We enable consumers to exchange funds more safely with merchants using a variety of funding sources, which may include a bank account, a PayPal or Venmo account balance, PayPal and Venmo branded credit products, a credit card, a debit card, certain cryptocurrencies, or other stored value products such as gift cards, and eligible credit card rewards. Our PayPal, Venmo, and Xoom products also make it safer and simpler for friends and family to transfer funds to each other. We offer merchants an end-to-end payments solution that provides authorization and settlement capabilities, as well as instant access to funds and payouts. We also help merchants connect with their customers, process exchanges and returns, and manage risk. We enable consumers to engage in cross-border shopping and merchants to extend their global reach while reducing the complexity and friction involved in enabling cross-border trade. Our beliefs are the foundation for how we conduct business every day. We live each day guided by our core values of Inclusion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Wellness. Together, our values ensure that we work together as one global team with our customers at the center of everything we do – and they push us to ensure we take care of ourselves, each other, and our communities. Job Summary: This job will lead the development and implementation of advanced data science models and algorithms. You will work with stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver solutions. Your role involves driving best practices in data science, ensuring data quality, and mentoring junior scientists.

Requirements

• 3+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor’s degree OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency with SQL and Python; hands-on experience with modern BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Design and build intuitive dashboards and data visualizations that communicate trends, highlight anomalies, and drive proactive payments risk management
• Lead the development and maintenance of key risk indicators (KRIs) and performance metrics (KPIs) based on large-scale transactional payments data
• Conduct advanced analytical deep-dives to identify root causes, quantify risk exposures, and support strategic decision-making
• Translate complex data patterns into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership and risk committees
• Lead analytical support for impact assessments, regulatory requests, and scheme-driven initiatives
• Strong experience analyzing large-scale transactional datasets; payments or fintech experience strongly preferred
• Identify, assess, and monitor payments risks across the end-to-end payments lifecycle, including in-house operations and third-party dependencies
• Proactively surface emerging payments risks and trends to appropriate risk owners and leadership
• Partner with first-line teams to track remediation actions, validate risk mitigation effectiveness, and drive closure
• Support payments risk governance activities, including risk reporting, escalation, and thematic reviews
• Contribute to the evolution of risk monitoring frameworks and analytical methodologies
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Data, and Risk teams to align analytical priorities and risk management objectives
• Ensure data accuracy, reporting consistency, and alignment across cross-functional stakeholders
• Influence risk decisions and control enhancements through data-driven insights and strategic recommendations
• Mentor junior team members and share best practices in analytics and risk monitoring
• Proven ability to work independently, take ownership of projects, and deliver high-quality results
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high analytical and operational standards
• Proactive mindset with eagerness to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to navigate ambiguity

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of advanced data science models.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand requirements.
• Drive best practices in data science.
• Ensure data quality and integrity in all processes.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists.
• Stay updated with the latest trends in data science.

Benefits

• At PayPal, we’re committed to building an equitable and inclusive global economy. And we can’t do this without our most important asset-you. That’s why we offer comprehensive, choice-based programs, to support all aspects of personal wellbeing—physical, emotional, and financial—delivering meaningful value where it matters most. We strive to create a flexible, balanced work culture with a holistic approach to benefits, including generous paid time off, healthcare coverage for you and your family, and resources to create financial security and support your mental health.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees