Model Validation Specialist

Join us in building the future of finance.

Our mission is to democratize finance for all. An estimated $124 trillion of assets will be inherited by younger generations in the next two decades. The largest transfer of wealth in human history. If you’re ready to be at the epicenter of this historic cultural and financial shift, keep reading.

About the team + role

We are building an elite team, applying frontier technologies to the world’s biggest financial problems. We’re looking for bold thinkers. Sharp problem-solvers. Builders who are wired to make an impact. Robinhood isn’t a place for complacency, it’s where ambitious people do the best work of their careers. We’re a high-performing, fast-moving team with ethics at the center of everything we do. Expectations are high, and so are the rewards. 

The Financial Crimes Team at Robinhood works across multiple verticals to protect our customers and ensure strict compliance with all relevant Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Sanctions regulations. As our team of passionate professionals continues to evolve the program, we are intensely focused on leveraging innovative thinking, advanced analytics, and cutting-edge technology to build a best-in-class Financial Crimes Program.

As the Senior Specialist, Model Validation & Analytics, you will play a key role in this mission by executing the validation, testing, tuning, and optimization of various transaction monitoring and filtering programs across Financial Crimes. You will partner closely with the AML Surveillance Team, engineering partners, and cross-functional verticals to ensure our financial crimes models and systems are accurately implemented, rigorously evaluated, and effectively calibrated to meet the diverse regulatory requirements of our domestic and international lines of business.

This role is based in our Denver, CO, New York, NY, or Westlake, TX office(s), with in-person attendance expected at least 3 days per week.

At Robinhood, we believe in the power of in-person work to accelerate progress, spark innovation, and strengthen community. Our office experience is intentional, energizing, and designed to fully support high-performing teams.

What you’ll do

• Model Validation & Review Execution: Perform independent, rigorous quantitative and qualitative analyses of rule-based and machine learning financial crimes surveillance models, filtering systems, and detection logic targeting model design, algorithm soundness, data integrity, and change management
• Technical Review & Remediation: Act as a technical bridge within a fast-paced fintech environment by leveraging a solid foundation in data engineering, data modeling, and infrastructure. Collaborate seamlessly with software engineers, data engineers, and data scientists to decipher complex logic, evaluate model implementations, test data pipelines, and support the remediation of model issues.
• Optimization & Model Tuning: Execute effective tuning methodologies and statistical analyses to continuously calibrate and enhance surveillance models. Work on strategic initiatives focused on maximizing risk detection capabilities while systematically reducing false positive volumes to ensure an efficient and effective alert review process.
• Logic & Data Integrity Assurance: Conduct comprehensive data validation and logic testing initiatives to establish a strong foundation of data quality. Ensure the completeness, accuracy, and end-to-end reliability of critical data pipelines and inputs feeding our compliance models, mitigating systemic risks and safeguarding the integrity of our transaction monitoring ecosystem.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as a knowledgeable subject matter resource in AML and Model Risk, providing practical domain insights and supporting cross-functional partners in understanding model logic, performance, and risk trade-offs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Build strong working partnerships across engineering, product, and compliance teams to ensure technical solutions are conceptually sound, effective, and aligned with our risk tolerance.
• Change & Issue Management: Uphold change and issue management policies for covered systems, models, and solutions, ensuring end-to-end traceability and maintaining defensible documentation for internal audit and external regulators.
• AI Strategy & Tech-Forward Adoption: Bring hands-on capabilities and experience leveraging AI tools, Large Language Models (LLMs), and automation techniques to enhance daily productivity, elevate deliverable quality, and optimize team workflows.
• Documentation & Reporting: Author thorough, concise, and defensible validation reports, change and issues management documentation, and executive summaries that clearly explain model theory, testing logic, performance findings, and actionable recommendations for key stakeholders.

What you bring

• Education: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in a quantitative, technical, or financial field (e.g., Computer Science, Data Analytics, Statistics, or Finance)
• Experience: 5+ years of experience across AML, Financial Crimes, or risk management within the financial services or fintech industry, with a focus on model validation, quantitative analysis, or surveillance system management.
• Domain Expertise: 3+ years of direct experience in the verification, validation, testing, or tuning of AML rule-based systems and/or machine learning models, along with a working knowledge of core Model Risk Management (MRM) principles and governance standards.
• Technical & Analytical Skills: Proficiency in SQL and experience using quantitative tools or programming languages (e.g., Python, R) to query large datasets, perform statistical analyses, and evaluate model performance.
• Adaptability & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical and quantitative concepts to non-technical partners, coupled with an ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

What we offer

• Challenging, high-impact work to grow your career.
• Performance-driven compensation with multipliers for outsized impact, bonus programs, equity ownership, and 401(k) matching.
• Best-in-class benefits to fuel your work, including 100% paid health insurance for employees with 90% coverage for dependents.
• Lifestyle wallet — a highly flexible benefits spending account for wellness, learning, and more.
• Employer-paid life & disability insurance, fertility benefits, and mental health benefits.
• Time off to recharge including company holidays, paid time off, sick time, parental leave, and more!
• Exceptional office experience with catered meals, events, and comfortable workspaces.

In addition to the base pay range listed below, this role is also eligible for bonus opportunities + equity + benefits.

Base pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands. The expected base pay range for this role is based on the location where the work will be performed and is aligned to one of 3 compensation zones. For other locations not listed, compensation can be discussed with your recruiter during the interview process.

Base Pay Range:

Zone 1 (Menlo Park, CA; New York, NY; Bellevue, WA; Washington, DC)

$136,000 - $160,000 USD

Zone 2 (Denver, CO; Westlake, TX; Chicago, IL)

$120,000 - $141,000 USD

Zone 3 (Lake Mary, FL; Clearwater, FL; Gainesville, FL)

$106,000 - $125,000 USD

Click here to learn more about our Total Rewards, which vary by region and entity.

If our mission energizes you and you’re ready to build the future of finance, we look forward to seeing your application.

Robinhood provides equal opportunity for all applicants, offers reasonable accommodations upon request, and complies with applicable equal employment and privacy laws. Inclusion is built into how we hire and work—welcoming different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences so everyone can do their best. Please review the Privacy Policy for your country of application.