---
title: 'Data Scientist at Zest AI'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/data-scientist-zest-ai-remote-bzrkwvkmacph'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-16'
---

# Data Scientist at Zest AI

- **Company:** Zest AI
- **Location:** Remote
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-10-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-16
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/zestai/jobs/6217526004

## Job description

About Zest AI:

Zest AI has been perfecting AI for consumer lending decisions since 2009. Our Model Management System helps lenders make better decisions and better loans—increasing revenue, reducing risk, and automating compliance. Our mission is to make fair and transparent credit available to everyone and our software creates some of the most inclusive risk models in the industry. Using Zest-built machine learning software, financial institutions can dramatically expand credit access to deserving people with no added risk. Learn more at Zest.ai and connect with us on Twitter @Zest_AI or our Insights blog.

Zest is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages professionals from underrepresented groups in technology and financial services to apply.

ZestFinance, Inc. dba ZEST AI seeks a Data Scientist in Burbank, CA.

Duties:

- Translate unstructured business problems into well-defined machine learning projects
- Collaborate with a cross-functional team of Engineers, Product Managers, and Business Analysts to identify and manage high leverage opportunities for modeling work
- Design and implement highly generalizable models for predicting various outcomes. Incorporate and develop learnings back into the product for continuous improvement opportunities
- Build demos, guidance documentation, and assist with training to help others become more proficient
- Take responsibility for modeling implementation in real world settings. This may include creating experiments and developing prototypes, with the goal of returning practical value to our customers

Requires a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Analytics, Physics, Data Science, or related. Plus 2 months of experience in a related role.

Requires 2 months of experience in the following:

- Predictive analytics
- Software Engineering with experience in one or more of the following: Python, C, JavaScript, SQL, or Java
- Big data
- Data Analytics
- Dataset validation

Telecommuting permitted. Medical/Vision, Dental, & Retirement benefits available.

40 hours/week, Wage Range: $120,000 - $150,000 per year. Must also have authority to work permanently in the U.S. Applicants who are interested in this position may apply https://www.jobpostingtoday.com/ Ref #62821 By submitting this application, I acknowledge and confirm that I have reviewed the [Employment Privacy Policy](https://www.zest.ai/employment-privacy-policy) and agree to the use of my information as set forth in the Policy.

## About Zest AI

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Zest AI provides AI-powered underwriting, fraud detection, and lending intelligence software to help financial institutions make faster, fairer, and more efficient credit decisions.
- **Entity Type**: Private (funding stage not publicly available)
- **Headquarters**: Burbank, California, USA
- **Founded**: 2009
- **Founders**: Not publicly available in provided sources

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: AI-driven lending technology for financial services
- **Target customers**: B2B – credit unions, banks, and other lenders (enterprise and mid-market)
- **Mission or purpose**: “Modernizing lending and strengthening the financial system for all.” The company is committed to broadening access to responsible credit while reducing bias and increasing transparency.

## Products & Services
- **AI-Automated Underwriting**: SaaS platform that automates credit decisions with machine learning, enabling lenders to approve more applicants while managing risk.
- **Fraud Detection**: Holistic, AI-based system to detect application fraud and protect portfolios.
- **Lending Intelligence**: Portfolio insights and reporting tools that help lenders adjust strategy and policies in real time.

All offerings are delivered as cloud-based software (SaaS/API) that integrates into existing lending workflows.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Over $1 trillion in loan originations supported by Zest AI technology; 600+ active models in production; 1 in 5 credit union members can benefit from Zest AI’s technology (as claimed by the company).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not explicitly listed in provided sources; the company became a CUSO (Credit Union Service Organization) in 2021, indicating strong ties to the credit union ecosystem.
- **Growth Signals**: Expanding AI solutions beyond underwriting into fraud and portfolio intelligence; 50+ patents issued and pending; growing customer base among credit unions and banks.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Fair lending focus**: AI models are designed to reduce bias and increase approval rates across protected classes, as demonstrated by “average lift across protected classes” and case studies showing reduced risk while keeping approvals constant.
- **Patented technology**: 50+ patents issued and pending in machine learning for credit.
- **Proven scale**: $1T+ in loan originations processed and 600+ active models provide a strong data flywheel and credibility.
- **Regulatory expertise**: Deep experience in highly regulated financial services, enabling compliant AI deployment.

## Strategic Focus
- **Deepen AI adoption**: Expand existing clients’ use of AI across underwriting, fraud, and portfolio management.
- **Responsible lending**: Continue to champion fairness and transparency as core product differentiators.
- **Customer success**: High-touch support and consulting to help lenders remove manual overlays and automate decisioning (auto-decisioning rates of 70–83% cited by clients).

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & values**: Emphasizes “Heart,” “Bias for Action,” “Customer-centric,” “Communication,” and “Collaboration.” Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) foster belonging.
- **Work model**: Hybrid workforce, remote-friendly with home office stipends. Many roles are fully remote.
- **Benefits**: Unlimited PTO, paid holidays, parental leave; premium medical, dental, vision; wellness stipend; 401(k) with match; competitive salary and rewards.
- **Engineering & impact**: Opportunity to work on mission-driven AI that directly expands credit access for underserved communities. Small company making a big impact.
- **Recognition**: Recognized for culture and impact (awards not specified in sources).

## Sources
1. [zest.ai/about-us](https://www.zest.ai/company/about-us/)
2. [zest.ai](https://www.zest.ai/)
3. [zest.ai/careers](https://www.zest.ai/careers/)
4. [greenhouse.io/zestai](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/zestai)
5. [zest.ai/leadership](https://www.zest.ai/company/leadership/)

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