Principal Software Engineer

The position is based in Seattle or San Francisco and reports to the Director of Fraud Engineering within the FROST organization, focusing on solution delivery.

Principal Software Engineer - Fraud & AML Solutions

We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join our FROST (Fraud, Risk, Operations and Support Technology) team in Seattle. This role will focus on architecting and building sophisticated fraud detection and anti-money laundering solutions using cutting-edge technologies and data-driven approaches to protect SoFi's members and business.

Key Responsibilities:

Solution Architecture & Development:

• Real-time Fraud Detection: Design and implement advanced fraud detection systems using machine learning models, real-time streaming analytics, and complex event processing.
• AML Compliance Solutions: Build comprehensive anti-money laundering solutions including transaction monitoring, customer due diligence (CDD), and suspicious activity reporting systems. 
• Data-Driven Risk Models: Develop sophisticated risk scoring models leveraging Member360 unified data layer and advanced analytics capabilities.

Technical Implementation:  

• Streaming Data Architecture: Build real-time data pipelines using Apache Kafka, Apache Flink, and AWS Kinesis for processing high-volume transaction streams.
• Machine Learning Integration: Implement ML models using AWS SageMaker, Feature Store, and the Batch Inference Framework for fraud and AML detection. 
• Graph Analytics: Develop entity relationship analysis using AWS Neptune for investigating complex fraud patterns and money laundering networks. 
• Real-time Analytics: Build operational dashboards and investigative tools using Apache Druid for seconds-fresh fraud and AML analytics.

Advanced Solution Development:

• Risk Decision Engines: Enhance and optimize SAFE (Security and Fraud Engine) and Flowable rule engines for sophisticated risk decisioning. 
• Vendor Integration: Architect solutions integrating with fraud detection vendors like DataVisor, Socure, Transmit Security, and Early Warning System (EWS).
• Investigation Tools: Build comprehensive fraud and AML investigation platforms within SoFi Atlas for operational efficiency

Required Technical Expertise:

Core Technologies:

• Programming Languages: Expert-level proficiency in languages suitable for high-performance financial systems.
• Streaming Platforms: Deep experience with Apache Kafka, Apache Flink, and real-time event processing architectures.
• Machine Learning: Hands-on experience with AWS SageMaker, Feature Store, and ML model deployment frameworks.
• Data Storage: Expertise in Snowflake, AWS DynamoDB, and time-series databases for fraud analytics.
• Graph Databases: Experience with AWS Neptune and Gremlin for relationship analysis and investigation workflows

Specialized Knowledge:

• Risk Engines: Experience with rule engines like Flowable, Camunda, or similar decisioning platforms.
• Real-time Analytics: Proficiency with Apache Druid or similar OLAP systems for operational analytics.
• Financial Crime: Deep understanding of fraud patterns, AML regulations (BSA/AML, OFAC), and financial crime detection methodologies.
• Vendor Ecosystems: Experience integrating with fraud detection platforms like DataVisor, identity verification services, and risk data providers

What You'll Build:

Fraud Detection Solutions 

• Transaction Monitoring: Real-time fraud scoring systems processing millions of transactions with sub-second response times 
• Device Risk Assessment: Advanced device fingerprinting and behavioral analytics using Transmit Security and other risk signals 
• First-Party Fraud Detection: Early Warning System integration and synthetic fraud detection capabilities

AML Compliance Solutions 

• Transaction Monitoring: Comprehensive AML transaction monitoring systems for detecting suspicious patterns across all SoFi products 
• Customer Risk Profiling: Dynamic customer risk assessment and due diligence automation
• Regulatory Reporting: Automated suspicious activity reporting and regulatory compliance systems

Data & Analytics Solutions 

• Member360 Implementation: Build unified member data layer enabling real-time and batch access to comprehensive member profiles 
• Feature Engineering: Develop reusable feature pipelines using Snowflake, DBT, and Kafka for ML model training and inference 
• Investigation Analytics: Create advanced analytics tools for fraud and AML investigators with graph visualization and pattern detection

Impact & Innovation 

• This role offers the opportunity to build next-generation fraud and AML solutions that protect millions of SoFi members while enabling business growth. 
• You'll work with cutting-edge technologies including real-time streaming, advanced machine learning, and graph analytics to solve complex financial crime challenges at scale.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree with 15+ years of experience, or Master's degree with 12+ years, or PhD with 8+ years 

• Extensive experience building fraud detection or AML solutions in financial services
• Proven track record with real-time data processing, machine learning, and high-scale distributed systems
• Deep understanding of financial crime patterns and regulatory requirements.