Lead Machine Learning Scientist

The posting, as Dave wrote it

DAVE VS. GOLIATH. WE’RE DAVE.

Dave is a financial app on a mission to build products that level the financial playing field. It is redefining the financial landscape by leveraging technology to create an affordable, transparent, and user-centric access to liquidity for millions of Americans. As a leading innovator in the U.S. financial services sector, Dave’s digital financial platform offers products designed to meet the credit needs of those underserved by traditional financial institutions. Dave’s offerings include its flagship ExtraCash product, providing members up to $500 within minutes. The company is on track to launch several new product offerings in 2026, including a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) option.

Dave is focused on serving Americans who are financially vulnerable or living paycheck to paycheck. Dave is leading the charge in creating a new era of credit products that prioritizes speed, affordability, and accessibility, making it the go-to financial partner for those who need it most.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We're looking for a Lead Machine Learning Scientist to develop and deploy advanced machine learning solutions that help Dave detect fraud, protect our members, and responsibly expand access to credit.

This is a deeply hands-on role for someone who loves solving complex problems through data, experimentation, and modeling. You'll work across the full machine learning lifecycle, from exploring large datasets and developing predictive models to deploying solutions, evaluating performance, and continuously improving results.

You'll have meaningful ownership of technically challenging problems, with opportunities to influence how we approach fraud detection and risk decisioning. You'll collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, and Risk Operations while remaining actively involved in the modeling and technical execution that drives our business forward.

WHAT YOU'LL BUILD & OWN

• Build and deploy advanced fraud detection models. Personally develop, train, validate, and optimize machine learning models that identify synthetic identities, first-party fraud, account takeover, and emerging fraud patterns.
• Solve complex problems through data and experimentation. Explore large, diverse datasets, engineer predictive features, evaluate modeling approaches, and translate findings into production-ready fraud solutions.
• Own the end-to-end ML lifecycle. Take models from initial research and prototyping through testing, deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement, ensuring solutions deliver measurable business results.
• Apply AI to accelerate machine learning development. Use modern AI tools and techniques to improve research, coding, feature development, experimentation, validation, and modeling workflows while maintaining strong technical rigor.
• Optimize fraud decisioning through measurable results. Analyze model performance, fraud trends, approval rates, and portfolio outcomes to identify opportunities to im

[…]
eady to build for the underdog?

Reports to: Director, Risk Science
Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt

Don’t let imposter syndrome get in the way of an incredible opportunity. We’re looking for people who can help us achieve our mission and vision, not just check off the boxes. If you’re excited about this role, we encourage you to apply. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why you’ll love working here

At Dave, our people are just as important as our product. Our culture reflects the values that guide who we are, how we work, and what we aspire to be. Daves are member-centric, helpful, transparent, persistent, and better together. We strive to create an environment where all Daves feel valued, heard, and empowered to do their best work. As a virtual-first company, team members can live and work anywhere in the United States, except Hawaii.

A few of our benefits & perks

💚 Opportunity to tackle tough challenges, learn and grow from fellow top talent, and help millions of people reach their personal financial goals

💻 Flexible hours and virtual-first work culture with a home office stipend

🏥 Premium Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans

👶 Generous paid parental and caregiver leave

💰 401(k) savings plan with matching contributions

📈 Financial advisor and financial wellness support

🏖️ Flexible PTO and generous company holidays, including Juneteenth and Winter Break

🎉 All-company in-person events once or twice a year and virtual events throughout to connect with your team members and leadership team

Dave Operating LLC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants and do not discriminate on any basis protected by federal, state, or local law, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance relating to an applicant's criminal history.

#LI-REMOTE