Data Scientist I

Driveway Finance Corporation applies data, statistical modeling, machine learning, and AI to support credit risk analytics and pricing strategy for U.S. vehicle lending and leasing. In this hybrid role based in Tigard, OR, you will help build and validate models and datasets, monitor performance, and explain outcomes to both technical and business partners.

Data Scientist I (hybrid, Tigard, OR) focuses on turning analytical work into practical risk strategies. You will analyze portfolio performance, develop and test credit risk models, and contribute pricing and analytics insights for Lithia and Driveway teams, including Driveway.com, sales, and marketing.

What you’ll do

• Analyze U.S. vehicle lending and leasing portfolio performance, identify risk trends, and deliver actionable recommendations.
• Develop and maintain credit risk models, decision rules, risk tiers, and related analytical strategies.
• Test and validate models and credit policies using historical analysis, back-testing, simulations, and appropriate performance measures.
• Build analytical datasets and reporting using Python, SQL, and relevant cloud or business intelligence platforms.
• Monitor model, policy, and portfolio performance and recommend adjustments as business conditions, customer behavior, or data quality changes.
• Develop and evaluate pricing strategies, including risk-based pricing, profitability analysis, pricing optimization, and measurement of outcomes.
• Support Lithia businesses and functions (including Driveway.com, sales, and marketing) by identifying analytical opportunities, building models and insights, and translating results into business recommendations.
• Partner with credit, finance, operations, product, technology, data engineering, and governance teams to implement analytical solutions.
• Communicate methods, assumptions, limitations, findings, and business impact to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree in a quantitative field (data science, statistics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, economics, finance, actuarial science, or closely related); advanced degree is an asset.
• 3+ years of relevant experience as a data scientist, including credit risk analytics, statistical modeling, or related quantitative work.
• Hands-on experience developing, testing, or validating statistical or machine learning models using Python, R, or similar tools.
• Strong SQL skills with large, complex datasets, including data preparation, reconciliation, and quality assessment.
• Knowledge of model development and validation concepts such as sampling, feature engineering, performance measurement, calibration, stability testing, back-testing, and monitoring.
• Ability to convert analytical results into practical risk strategies and explain technical concepts to business stakeholders.
• Strong written documentation, problem-solving, attention to detail, and time-management skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across credit risk, finance, product, operations, compliance, technology, and data teams.

Technologies

• Python, SQL, R
• Microsoft Azure, Databricks, Spark
• Power BI, Tableau

Compensation and work arrangement

• Location: Tigard, OR (hybrid). 3 days in office, 2 days from home.
• Target hiring range: $60,000 - $85,000 per year.
• Actual compensation will be $73,000 - $82,000, based on experience, skills, job-related knowledge, and geographic location.
• Final pay decisions are made through the interview process and in accordance with applicable pay equity and transparency laws.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Paid Holidays
• PTO: 80 hours front-loaded on day 1
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Lithia Learning Center
• Vehicle Purchase Discounts
• Wellness Programs

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in automotive finance, vehicle leasing, consumer lending, banking, fintech, or another regulated credit environment.
• Experience with credit decisioning strategies, scorecards, risk-tier assignment, policy rules, expected loss, delinquency, collections, prepayment, or residual value analytics.
• Experience with model risk management, independent model validation, governance documentation, production monitoring, or audit support.
• Experience with cloud data and analytics platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Databricks, Spark, or equivalent technologies.
• Experience with visualization or business intelligence tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Knowledge of U.S. consumer credit markets and applicable privacy, fair lending, consumer protection, and responsible-use expectations for data and models is an asset.
• Experience working with U.S. credit bureau data, fair lending analysis, or regulated consumer lending requirements is an asset.

Additional information

• High School graduate or equivalent, and 18 years or older required.
• Drug-free workplace.
• Equal employment opportunity statement applies (regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status).
• Qualified applicants are considered regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
• Dealership: L0238 Driveway Finance Corporation