Data Scientist - Actuarial Modeling​/Developer

Contract to hire with a major financial firm in Newark, NJ. Hybrid, 3 days/week in office.

The Actuarial Modeling/Developer – Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) Team, is a position that plays a key role in the overall pricing operations and infrastructure development of PRT Business. This role requires a strong foundation in actuarial first principles, with the primary focus on designing and developing callable actuarial components that integrate into broader pricing pipelines.

• Design and develop callable actuarial components using Python, VBA, SQL, and other technologies, building modular logic that can be integrated into robust orchestration pipelines
• Collaborate with highly-specialized and talented quantitative professionals to develop creative pricing solutions and strategies for diverse pension plan structures
• Build, enhance, and maintain pricing models and tools, automating and streamlining processes through hands‑on development
• Develop pricing infrastructure and contribute to data visualization and reporting processes used across the organization to manage business production and inform strategic decision‑making
• Analyze population and pension plan specific experience data to determine mortality and other actuarial assumptions for pricing
• Provide timely, accurate and insightful pricing analytics to facilitate confident decision‑making
• Support the development and execution of competitive positioning strategies
• Collaborate cross‑functionally across the organization to develop and implement pricing strategies that balance competitiveness and profitability while ensuring compliance with internal standards and external regulations

• Leverage advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI‑driven methodologies to partner with other emerging bodies across the enterprise
• Support the exploration and evaluation of predictive analytics to enhance compliance with Model Risk standards

• Strong foundation in actuarial first principles required
• Background in actuarial science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, or related quantitative discipline
• Master's Degree (MA / BS) required. Degree in Actuarial Science, mathematics, finance, computer science, or related discipline preferred
• ASA with 4+ years of strong actuarial experience (product development, pricing, valuation, asset/investment/hedging/risk modeling, etc.)
• Pension experience preferred; familiarity with pension plan structures, liability valuation, and pension risk transfer pricing is a plus
• Programming skills preferred (Python, SQL, VBA); willingness to develop coding proficiency is expected. Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus
• FSA, MAAA, CFA, PhD, FRM, Client or advanced degree in S.I.E.C. preferred but not required
• Candidates with alternative qualifications including 7+ years of relevant quantitative/technical experience are welcomed
• Strong quantitative modeling experience including complex quantitative concepts and models
• Strong communication skills, particularly in presenting results to senior executives
• Proven ability to articulate complex data into actionable insights for senior leadership
• Creative problem solver, particularly in areas with few best practices
• Highly motivated and ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, results‑oriented environment with high standards for quality
• Experience working at an insurance company or a multi‑functional team is a plus