Staff Applied AI and Machine Learning Engineer, Payments & Risk

Staff Applied AI and Machine Learning Engineer, Payments & Risk Posted 2 days ago • Be among the first 25 applicants

About Gusto At Gusto, we’re on a mission to grow the small business economy. We handle the hard stuff—like payroll, health insurance, 401(k)s, and HR—so owners can focus on their craft and customers. With teams in Denver, San Francisco, and New York, we’re proud to support more than 400,000 small businesses across the country, and we’re building a workplace that represents and celebrates the customers we serve.

About The Role Gusto’s Data Science team leverages Gusto’s rich dataset to guide product direction and decision‑making. We operate full‑stack, conducting analyses, prototyping and deploying predictive models and statistical tools both for internal use and for our customers.

For this role, we are looking for a technical leader (an individual contributor) to drive machine learning and AI in the payment and risk domains. You will build a model‑driven risk platform to provide a trusted environment for the Gusto Ecosystem.

You’ll be working with an established team and seasoned payments and risk leaders in Engineering, Product, Design, Operation, Identity and Compliance. In this role, you’ll work cross‑functionally to build platforms that span the entire breadth of the Payments and Risk stacks, and use ML and AI to build a world‑class, highly secure platform that safeguards our users’ activities and money, and ensures unparalleled reliability.

Day‑to‑Day Responsibilities

Build and deploy machine learning models to identify, assess and mitigate risks.

Drive research in the problem space, work with stakeholders to understand model requirements, develop the model from scratch, deploy it alongside engineering counterparts, and monitor and maintain the model’s performance over time.

Partner with Engineering, Design, and Product counterparts in Payment and Risk to solve complex cross‑functional problems.

Develop scalable frameworks and libraries that enhance and contribute to the team’s core analysis and modeling capabilities, including integration of LLMs to improve data processing, analysis, and insights.

Identify new opportunities to leverage data to improve Gusto’s products and help risk management team understand business requirements and develop tailored solutions.

Present and communicate results to stakeholders across the company.

Qualifications

8+ years of experience conducting statistical analyses on large datasets and deep domain knowledge in machine learning and artificial intelligence, including familiarity with Large Language Models (LLMs). This could mean either a MS or PhD in a quantitative field with at least 5 years experience in a business environment, or BS or Data Science Bootcamp graduate with at least 8 years of experience working as a data scientist or a machine learning engineer in a business setting.

Proven experience in credit risk modeling or fraud risk modeling using logistic regression, random forest, XGBoost or neural networks, along with a strong understanding of AI‑based approaches and the potential of LLMs to enhance traditional models.

Experience applying a variety of statistical and modeling techniques using Python, R or another statistical modeling language, as indicated by familiarity with many of the following techniques—predictive modeling, anomaly detection, ensemble methods, natural language processing (NLP, optional). Basic understanding of LLMs and their applications.

Strong programming skills—comfortable with all phases of the data science development process, from initial analysis and model development to deployment.

Excellent communication skills—able to effectively deliver findings and recommendations to non‑technical stakeholders in a clear and compelling fashion.

PhD or Masters plus equivalent experience in a quantitative field is a plus.

Experience in the Fintech industry is a plus.

Compensation and Location Our cash compensation for this role is targeted at $225,000 – $285,000 in San Francisco, New York, and Seattle; $205,000 – $255,000 in Los Angeles; $187,000 – $235,000 in Denver; and $200,000 – $250,000 CAD for Toronto, Canada. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience and expertise and may vary from the amounts listed above.

Work Expectations Gusto has physical office spaces in Denver, San Francisco, and New York City. Employees who are based in those locations will be expected to work from the office on designated days approximately 2‑3 days per week (or more depending on the role). The same office expectations apply to all Symmetry roles, Gusto's subsidiary, whose physical office is in Scottsdale.

Note: The San Francisco office expectations encompass both the San Francisco and San Jose metro areas.

When approved to work from a location other than a Gusto office, a secure, reliable, and consistent internet connection is required. This includes non‑office days for hybrid employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer Gusto is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. Gusto considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Gusto is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you require a medical or religious accommodation at any time throughout your candidate journey, please fill out this form and a member of our team will get in touch with you.

Gusto takes security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please review our Fraudulent Activity Disclaimer.

Personal information collected and processed as part of your Gusto application will be subject to Gusto's Applicant Privacy Notice.

Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type Full‑time

Job Function Engineering and Information Technology

Industries Software Development

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