Sr Data Scientist

The Company

PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. 

We operate a global, two-sided network at scale that connects hundreds of millions of merchants and consumers. We help merchants and consumers connect, transact, and complete payments, whether they are online or in person. PayPal is more than a connection to third-party payment networks. We provide proprietary payment solutions accepted by merchants that enable the completion of payments on our platform on behalf of our customers.

We offer our customers the flexibility to use their accounts to purchase and receive payments for goods and services, as well as the ability to transfer and withdraw funds. We enable consumers to exchange funds more safely with merchants using a variety of funding sources, which may include a bank account, a PayPal or Venmo account balance, PayPal and Venmo branded credit products, a credit card, a debit card, certain cryptocurrencies, or other stored value products such as gift cards, and eligible credit card rewards.  Our PayPal, Venmo, and Xoom products also make it safer and simpler for friends and family to transfer funds to each other. We offer merchants an end-to-end payments solution that provides authorization and settlement capabilities, as well as instant access to funds and payouts. We also help merchants connect with their customers, process exchanges and returns, and manage risk. We enable consumers to engage in cross-border shopping and merchants to extend their global reach while reducing the complexity and friction involved in enabling cross-border trade. 

Our beliefs are the foundation for how we conduct business every day.  We live each day guided by our core values of Inclusion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Wellness. Together, our values ensure that we work together as one global team with our customers at the center of everything we do – and they push us to ensure we take care of ourselves, each other, and our communities.

Job Summary:

Job Description:

PayPal, Inc. seeks Sr Data Scientist in San Jose, CA

Job Duties: Apply advanced analytical and technical skills to research multi-dimensional data sets, implement continuous monitoring protocols, and develop complex algorithmic logics that identify and prevent fraudulent activity on our platforms in real-time. Design, construct, and validate statistical models using advanced analytical tools to transform raw transactional data into actionable insights for fraud detection.  Leverage advanced data analytics and statistical methodologies to identify emerging fraud patterns and trends across payment ecosystems, such as NSF, SF, INR, and SNAD. Develop, implement, and maintain sophisticated real-time risk assessment solutions that carefully balance organizational loss appetite, user experience metrics, and product financial performance KPIs. Conduct rigorous A/B testing to evaluate the effectiveness of fraud detection models and risk controls, measuring the statistical significance of results and implementing enhancements based on findings. Create and maintain comprehensive data visualization dashboards using tools like Tableau or Power BI that track key risk metrics, providing stakeholders with actionable intelligence on fraud trends and control effectiveness. Perform detailed root cause analysis of fraud cases and security breaches, identifying systemic vulnerabilities and developing technical solutions to address them. Partner cross-functionally with Product Management and Business Unit organizations to support new product launches, conducting thorough risk assessments and creating comprehensive risk mitigation requirements. Work closely with risk product engineering teams to translate complex risk requirements into technical specifications, ensuring accurate implementation and seamless delivery of fraud prevention capabilities. Develop and document risk frameworks and methodologies that allow for consistent evaluation and mitigation strategies across diverse product offerings. Present complex analytical findings to senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders, translating technical concepts into business-relevant insights. Maintain current knowledge of evolving fraud methodologies, financial industry regulations, and technological advancements in the risk management field, applying this knowledge to continuously improve fraud prevention systems. Mentor junior analysts in advanced statistical techniques and fraud detection methodologies, supporting knowledge transfer across the risk organization.  Partial telecommuting permitted from within a commutable distance.

Minimum Requirements: Master’s degree, or foreign equivalent, in Data Science, Mathematics, or a closely related field, plus three years of experience in the job offered or a related occupation.

Special Skill Requirements:

1.              Fraud Detection and Root Cause Analysis: Experience performing root cause analysis on fraud cases within financial transaction systems and implementing data-driven mitigation strategies in production. (3 years);

2.              Python for Fraud Modeling: Experience using Python (NumPy, Pandas) for data processing and feature engineering, and applying Scikit-learn for fraud model development on large-scale financial transaction datasets. (3 years);

3.              Risk Metrics Dashboard Development: Experience building Tableau dashboards to monitor fraud risk KPIs for decision-making. (3 years);

4.              Cloud-Based and Distributed Data Analytics: Experience writing complex SQL queries on cloud-based data platforms and working with distributed data systems to analyze large-scale financial transaction data, including building and maintaining data pipelines and workflows in data warehouse environments. (3 years);

5.              Statistical Modeling and Experimentation: Experience applying statistical models and conducting A/B testing on customer-facing risk strategies and supporting new product initiatives, including hypothesis testing and impact measurement. (3 years);

6.              Payment Ecosystem Knowledge: Experience utilizing knowledge of payment flows and the MANIC model (Merchant, Acquirer, Network, Issuer, Cardholder) in fraud detection contexts. (3 years);

7.              Machine Learning for Fraud Detection: Experience building and deploying machine learning models using Python frameworks (H2O or similar platforms) for real-time fraud detection on large-scale financial transaction datasets. (3 years);

8.              Fraud Pattern Analysis and Risk Strategy: Experience analyzing fraud patterns in financial transaction data and developing risk strategies to support new product initiatives while balancing fraud loss, customer experience, and business KPIs. (3 years);

9.              Version Control and Automation: Experience using GitHub for version control and implementing automated workflows to support scalable fraud analytics and modeling. (3 years).

EOE, including disability/vets.

The base pay for this role will depend on where you work and the relevant experience and expertise you bring. The expected range of pay for this role by location is: 

Primary Location | Pay Range: 

San Jose, California | Salary: $174,783.00-243,500.00 per annum. 40 hours per week; M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Additional compensation for this role may include an annual performance bonus, equity, or other incentive compensation, as applicable. 

Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Subsidiary:

Travel Percent:

PayPal does not charge candidates any fees for courses, applications, resume reviews, interviews, background checks, or onboarding. When making an application directly, we will never ask you to share passwords, one-time passcodes (OTP), or verification codes.  Any such request is a red flag and likely part of a scam. All communication regarding your application will come from official PayPal email domains. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately.  To learn more about how to identify and avoid recruitment fraud please visit https://careers.pypl.com/contact-us. 

For the majority of employees, PayPal's balanced hybrid work model offers 3 days in the office for effective in-person collaboration and 2 days at your choice of either the PayPal office or your home workspace, ensuring that you equally have the benefits and conveniences of both locations.

Our Benefits:

At PayPal, we’re committed to building an equitable and inclusive global economy. And we can’t do this without our most important asset-you. That’s why we offer comprehensive, choice-based programs, to support all aspects of personal wellbeing—physical, emotional, and financial—delivering meaningful value where it matters most. We strive to create a flexible, balanced work culture with a holistic approach to benefits, including generous paid time off, healthcare coverage for you and your family, and resources to create financial security and support your mental health.

Who We Are:

Click Here to learn more about our culture and community.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 

PayPal provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  In addition, PayPal will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.  If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at paypalglobaltalentacquisition@paypal.com.  

Belonging at PayPal: 

Our employees are central to advancing our mission, and we strive to create an environment where everyone can do their best work with a sense of purpose and belonging. Belonging at PayPal means creating a workplace with a sense of acceptance and security where all employees feel included and valued. We are proud to have a diverse workforce reflective of the merchants, consumers, and communities that we serve, and we continue to take tangible actions to cultivate inclusivity and belonging at PayPal.

Any general requests for consideration of your skills, please Join our Talent Community.

We know the confidence gap and imposter syndrome can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates. Please don’t hesitate to apply.