Data Scientist - AI/ML (Mid & Sr Levels)

The Opportunity

At Spade, data is the product — and you'll be one of the people shaping it. As a Data Scientist, you'll build the real-time ML/AI systems that power how top fintechs and financial institutions understand every transaction: from traditional ML and NLP models to AI agents, all running on our proprietary merchant, location, and transaction datasets. Your work won't sit in a research silo — you'll partner closely with engineering and product to take ideas from prototype to production, directly shaping the accuracy, speed, and intelligence customers like FIS, Bilt, Mercury, and Stripe rely on every day.

What will you be doing?

• Own the full lifecycle of ML/AI products. From first prototype to production system serving real customers

• Build the automated systems behind Spade's data quality. The models and pipelines that keep our accuracy and coverage ahead of the market

• Set the bar for how ML gets built here. Pushing for models that are not just accurate, but scalable, robust, and production-ready from day one

• Help shape where the data science team goes next. Partnering directly with leadership on roadmap and priorities (Senior role)

• Grow the team around you. Mentoring other data scientists and raising the practices we build on (Senior role)

Note: We're hiring for both Mid and Senior levels across multiple openings; exact level is determined during the interview process.

What experience, skills, and qualifications are necessary?

Must Have:

• 3+ years building and shipping models in Python, in a fast-paced environment (5+ for senior)

• Worked hands-on with engineering and product, not just in a research silo

• Strong ML, stats, and data fundamentals (PySpark, pandas, SQL)

• A product mindset — you navigate ambiguity and optimize for customer value, not just model accuracy

• A collaborative streak — you take feedback well and care about the team's success, not just your own

• An AI-forward workflow — coding assistants and LLMs are part of how you already work, and you're excited to push further

• Are able to work remotely within the US or Canada. We are also open to NYC-based candidates who would prefer to work hybrid (2 days/week) out of our Flatiron HQ.

Additional for Senior Level:

• 5+ years experience, with end-to-end ownership of ML/AI products from idea to production

• Shipped ML/AI-powered products, ideally customer-facing

• A track record of mentoring and raising team standards

Nice to have:

• Databricks, data pipelines, Hex

• Gen AI feature/product development

• Fintech experience — especially transaction, merchant, or location data

• Early-stage, high-growth startup experience

Why Join Spade?

• Be a cultural founder. As an early employee, you’ll play a meaningful role in defining and building our culture.

Benefits at Spade:

• Competitive Compensation. Data-driven salaries that reward performance and ownership.

Salary Range:

• At Spade, we view total compensation as consisting of salary + equity + benefits. We recruit motivated and high performing talent, and work to compensate people in line with the value they bring to our team.