Job Overview & Organization Mission

Zip Co is appointing a Senior Data Scientist in Sydney to build real-time machine learning models predicting credit risk and detecting financial fraud.

Zip Co’s Risk Decisioning Data Science team is seeking a Senior Data Scientist in Sydney. You will build, validate, and deploy real-time machine learning models that evaluate consumer credit applications in milliseconds and detect complex identity takeover fraud.

As a key member of the team at Zip Co in Sydney, NSW, you will play a central role in driving excellence, upholding top-tier Australian industry standards, and contributing directly to the strategic milestones of one of the nation’s premier employers.

Key Duties & Core Responsibilities

In this critical role, your operational duties and key performance responsibilities will encompass:

• Develop gradient-boosted: Develop gradient-boosted decision trees (XGBoost/LightGBM) and deep learning models for credit default prediction.
• Engineer real-time: Engineer real-time behavioral features and fraud detection heuristics using Databricks and Python.
• Design rigorous: Design rigorous backtesting and champion-challenger A/B testing frameworks for live underwriting rules.
• Present model: Present model performance, fairness, and regulatory governance reports to Executive Risk Committees.

Required Qualifications, Licenses & Experience

To be successful in this position at Zip Co, candidates are expected to satisfy the following essential selection criteria:

• Mandatory Qualification: Master or PhD in Statistics, Machine Learning, or Quantitative Finance.
• Relevant Experience: Minimum 5+ Years of verified industry experience in Australia or recognized overseas equivalence.
• Master’s or PhD in Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, or Mathematics.
• 5+ years experience building predictive ML models in financial credit risk or fraud detection.
• Advanced Python, SQL, and experience deploying ML models to AWS via MLflow/Sagemaker.

Core Competencies & Key Technical Proficiencies

The successful applicant will possess demonstrated capabilities across the following domain skill sets:

Salary, Compensation & Employee Benefits

At Zip Co, we understand that our people drive our achievements. An outstanding remuneration and wellbeing package is provided in line with Australian benchmarks:

• Competitive Remuneration: AU$160,000 – AU$195,000 per year + standard Australian Superannuation (11.5%).
• Salary $160,000 – $195,000 + equity share package + superannuation.
• Prime Sydney CBD location at Salesforce Tower, 180 George Street.
• Flexible working arrangements and comprehensive health benefits.
• Leave Entitlements: 4 weeks annual leave (with 17.5% annual leave loading where applicable) plus 10 days paid personal/carer’s leave.
• Flexible Work: Progressive work-life balance options with supportive corporate culture and leadership development pathways.

About the Employer: Zip Co

Zip Co is a leading digital financial services company, providing innovative point-of-sale credit and payments.

Zip Co is deeply committed to building diverse, equitable, and culturally inclusive work environments. We proudly celebrate diversity and welcome applications from all qualified individuals including First Nations Australians, people with disabilities, and candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Application Process & Next Steps

Applications for this position are currently open and being reviewed on a rolling basis. Suitable candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible before the published closing date.

Please prepare an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a tailored Cover Letter highlighting your relevant experience against the key selection criteria outlined above.

To proceed with your application, click the Apply on Employer Site button to access the official Zip Co careers gateway.