Data Scientist, Model Risk

Overview

We’re Sagen

Sagen is Canada’s leading private mortgage insurance company making home ownership more accessible to first time homebuyers. For the past 30 years we have been focused on being the most trusted partner for lenders and brokers.

Our expertise in superior customer service, thought leadership, and industry knowledge has allowed us to be a driving force for our most important stakeholder, our valued customers. Our best-in-class team across the country work tirelessly to make every deal the most important deal. We are 100% Canadian-owned and believe in helping all Canadians achieve their dream of homeownership.

Sagen’s collaborative culture inspires our people to be authentic and curious while pursuing excellence in what they do.

Ready to Make an Impact?

Reporting to the Director of Model Risk & Governance, the Data Scientist, Model Risk supports independent oversight of models across the organization by conducting rigorous technical validation and assessing model soundness, performance, and governance. This role strengthens model transparency, ensures appropriate model use, and helps safeguard the company from unmitigated model-related risks.

This position is being posted to fill an existing vacancy within the department.

What You Will Focus On

Under the direction of the Director, Model Risk & Governance, collaborate with model owners and stakeholders across Finance, Risk, Operations, and IT to execute independent model validation.

Support the Director in assessing conceptual soundness, data quality, feature engineering, methodology, and performance of predictive and analytical models.

Conduct independent technical reviews of ETL processes, data pipelines, model code, and deployment workflows, ensuring reproducibility and implementation accuracy and provide feedback to the model developers.

Evaluate model assumptions, limitations, monitoring plans, and controls; recommend remediations to model developers where needed.

Assist the Director Model Risk & Governance to prepare validation report and support presentations to governance committees and senior leadership.

Develop challenger models to benchmark performance and support effective challenges.

Support the Director in ensuring model lifecycle activities, including documentation, testing, monitoring, and change management, aligning with internal standards and industry best practices.

Support automation and efficiency improvements in validation processes and risk analytics.

What We Are Looking For

Advanced degree in quantitative fields (e.g., Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Econometrics, Engineering).

Minimum 1-2 years of experience in ML / Bayesian / DL / AI model development, with required experience in model validations or model risk.

Strong programming skills in Python, R, SQL, PySpark, and related analytical tools.

Knowledge of ML, Bayesian, and deep learning methods and frameworks (e.g., Scikit‑learn, MLlib, Keras, PyTorch, etc.).

Experience with AWS cloud environments, containerization, and modern development workflows (e.g., AWS, Docker, GitHub Actions).

Experience with Alteryx, PowerBI, and / or Tableau tools.

Proficiency with Git workflows, Jira, and Confluence.

Familiarity with Unix environments and microservices.

Strong communication skills with the ability to translate technical findings into clear, business focused insights.

Analytical, proactive, and collaborative working style.

This position requires work from our Oakville office but offers a flexible hybrid work model that allows employees to work remotely from their home office.

What’s In It for You

At Sagen we understand that your health and financial well-being are equally important and offer a total rewards package that includes competitive compensation, annual performance bonus, medical and dental benefits, company funded pension plan, matching RRSP, TFSA and / or Non-registered Savings Plans, work from anywhere days, and an environment that creates a sense of belonging to inspire you to be your very best.

Ready to join Sagen

At Sagen, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, as evidenced by our partnerships with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) and Black Mentorship Inc. We strive to create a sense of belonging where all employees, from every background and ability, are welcomed, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

Throughout the selection and hiring process, we encourage candidates to request accommodation to meet their individual needs.

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