Risk Program Senior Associate - Card Merchant

Location: Wilmington, DE, United States

Job Family: Associates

About the Role

At JP Morgan Chase, we are at the forefront of financial innovation, and our Card Risk Modeling (Applied AI ML) team is pivotal in safeguarding our credit card business against evolving risks. As a Risk Program Senior Associate - Card Merchant in Wilmington, DE, you will join a dynamic group of experts leveraging machine learning, big data, and distributed computing to drive sophisticated risk solutions for our merchant services. This role within the Consumer & Community Banking division offers the opportunity to apply cutting-edge AI techniques to real-world challenges in the payments industry, ensuring secure and efficient transactions for millions of customers. You will contribute to building resilient risk programs that protect against fraud, credit defaults, and operational vulnerabilities while supporting business growth in a highly regulated environment. In this associate-level position, your primary focus will be on developing and refining ML models tailored to card merchant risks, such as transaction anomaly detection and merchant portfolio optimization. You will work with vast datasets from JP Morgan Chase's global payment networks, utilizing tools like Spark for distributed processing to uncover patterns that inform proactive risk strategies. Collaboration is key; you will partner with data scientists, risk officers, and technology teams to integrate AI-driven insights into our end-to-end card ecosystem, from underwriting to ongoing monitoring. This role demands a blend of technical expertise and business acumen to translate complex data into actionable recommendations that align with our commitment to ethical AI and regulatory excellence. JP Morgan Chase values innovation and inclusion, providing a supportive platform for your professional growth in one of the world's leading financial institutions. As part of our team, you will have access to state-of-the-art resources and mentorship to advance your career in applied AI for financial services. If you are passionate about using technology to mitigate risks in the fast-paced world of credit cards and merchant services, this position offers a rewarding path to make a tangible impact on our clients and the broader economy.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy machine learning models for credit card risk assessment, focusing on merchant transaction patterns and fraud detection
• Analyze large-scale datasets using big data tools to identify emerging risks in the card payments ecosystem
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including data engineers, risk analysts, and product managers to enhance risk mitigation strategies
• Apply applied AI and ML techniques to optimize credit decisioning and merchant underwriting processes
• Conduct model validation, performance monitoring, and stress testing in compliance with JP Morgan Chase's risk management frameworks
• Leverage distributed computing to process real-time transaction data and generate actionable insights for business stakeholders
• Contribute to the innovation of risk programs by integrating advanced analytics into card merchant services
• Ensure all models and analyses adhere to regulatory standards and internal governance policies at JP Morgan Chase
• Mentor junior associates and participate in knowledge-sharing sessions on AI/ML applications in financial risk

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field
• 3+ years of experience in machine learning, data science, or applied AI within the financial services industry
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or Java for data analysis and model development
• Strong understanding of credit risk modeling, fraud detection, and merchant transaction analysis in the payments domain
• Experience with big data technologies including Hadoop, Spark, or distributed computing frameworks
• Ability to handle large-scale datasets and perform statistical analysis in a regulated financial environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of regulatory requirements such as PCI DSS, GDPR, and banking compliance standards

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative discipline with focus on machine learning or AI
• Prior experience in credit card risk management or merchant services at a major financial institution
• Certifications in machine learning (e.g., AWS ML Specialty) or data engineering
• Hands-on experience with AI/ML platforms like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or AWS SageMaker
• Background in developing predictive models for fraud prevention in high-volume transaction systems

Required Skills

• Machine Learning and AI model development
• Big Data processing with Spark and Hadoop
• Python and R programming for data analysis
• Statistical modeling and predictive analytics
• Credit risk assessment and fraud detection
• Distributed computing and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure)
• SQL and database querying for large datasets
• Regulatory compliance in financial services
• Data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Collaboration and communication in team environments
• Model validation and backtesting techniques
• Real-time data processing and ETL pipelines
• Risk management frameworks in banking
• Agile methodologies for project delivery

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous company matching
• Paid time off including vacation, sick days, and parental leave
• Professional development programs and tuition reimbursement for advanced education
• Employee stock purchase plan and financial wellness resources
• On-site fitness centers, wellness programs, and mental health support
• Flexible work arrangements including hybrid options in Wilmington, DE

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.