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Data Science - Future Opportunities

neofinancial

OnSite Calgary, AB
Data AI Product Owner

Job Score

100 pts
On-site model (+70) Data (+10) AI (+10) Product Owner (+10)

Join us to build a more rewarding financial future for all Canadians


At Neo, we’re on a mission to build a more rewarding financial future for all Canadians. Life at a rapidly scaling tech startup isn’t for everyone. It’s complex, fast-paced, high-pressure, but also incredibly fulfilling. Since its founding in 2019, Neo has gained incredible traction and is one of the fastest-growing fintech companies in Canada.

This posting is intentionally ongoing. It is not a single open role with a start date attached. As Neo's data science organization grows, we keep a pipeline of people we'd want on the team and reach out when a current or emerging opportunity fits.

The Role

Neo's data science org sits inside products millions of Canadians already use. Data scientists, analytics leaders, and ML platform engineers work as one embedded function: production models, insight that shapes decisions, and the path from prototype to a monitored service. Not a reporting desk. Not a lab on the side.

There's a version of this work that stops at a notebook, a dashboard, or a handoff. Future roles here don't. They run from an ambiguous business question to something that actually runs — through the data, the constraints, and the commercial trade-offs.

At this level you frame the problem, ship the work, and stand behind the result. The people in this pipeline have taken models from working to reliable to material. They know a clever fit from a system the business can trust.

The work

Neo is rebuilding financial services from scratch. We've shipped a full-stack banking platform (credit cards, savings, mortgages, personal loans, cash back) at a pace most financial institutions can't match in a decade. Data science is inside that loop, not adjacent to it.

The problems span credit risk, fraud, marketing and loyalty, executive decisioning, and the ML platform that keeps models alive in production. They run against real financial outcomes for millions of Canadians. Correctness isn't optional. Neither is commercial impact. The work doesn't get easier as we scale.

We don't have a handoff culture. You partner with Product, Engineering, Risk, Marketing, Finance, and operations. Models ship. Insights change decisions. You own the path from prototype to something the company can run on.

What you'll own

  • A meaningful surface area with real business impact : risk, fraud, growth, analytics strategy, or the platform that productizes the work

  • The full loop: problem framing, method, delivery, and the validation and monitoring that keep it honest after launch

  • Standards that compound: reproducibility, metric consistency, model governance, and documentation , not one-off heroics

  • Mentorship that raises the bar: code review, experimental design, and developing the people around you

  • Cross-functional alignment. You translate. You don't throw work over the wall.

What we're looking for

If you're a Senior, Staff, or Principal Data Scientist, you own models end to end — design, training, validation, and production. You can defend a validation strategy to a peer who will try to break it, and explain the result to an executive without hiding behind metrics. You mentor. You don't wait for someone else to make the work real.

If you lead analytics, you are not running a service desk. You set the strategy, build the team, and move the company from reactive reporting to insight that changes decisions. You zoom out to company strategy and zoom in to the pipeline and the spreadsheet. You hold the line on metric definitions, experimentation, and quality when the business wants the number yesterday.

If you build ML platforms, you own the path from experiment to production — pipelines, observability, drift, registries, infrastructure-as-code. You make data scientists faster without lowering the bar. You've run production ML on cloud infrastructure, and you treat reliability as part of the model, not a follow-up project.

At every level:

  • Deep technical fluency in Python and SQL, and enough cloud and data-platform literacy to ship, not just present

  • Experience in fintech, lending, payments, or another regulated environment where a wrong number has consequences

  • A track record of taking things from working to reliable to growing — through ambiguity, not around it

  • Low ego, high standards: you do the unglamorous work and hold others to the same

How we hire for this role

We're looking for a rare combination and we won't compromise on fit to move fast. Applying here puts your profile in front of our team and keeps you in consideration as our data science organization grows. It doesn't guarantee an immediate interview, and it won't lock you to a single role. If your background matches a current or emerging opportunity, we'll reach out directly.

We aim to respond to every application, but given the selective nature of this search, timelines may vary.

Working at Neo:

The people who thrive at Neo are resourceful, growth-oriented, and driven to win. We hold ourselves to high standards because we’re on a mission that matters: to build a more rewarding financial future for all Canadians. As individuals and as a team, we constantly challenge ourselves and each other to raise the bar and deliver exceptional experiences for our customers. Our commitment to customer success drives everything we do, from building world-class products to providing exceptional support at every step of their journey. If this resonates with you, keep reading.

We trust, respect, and support each other. This means honest conversations, constructive input, and empowering each other to move fast and think big. You’ll be surrounded by people who push you to be your best. We primarily collaborate in person across our Calgary, Winnipeg, and Toronto offices, where ideas move quickly and teams build momentum together. As we continue to scale and evolve, we’re looking for builders, innovators, and problem solvers who thrive on challenge–people who would rather blaze a trail through uncertainty than follow a well-paved path.

At Neo, ownership is part of how we think and operate. For select roles, equity participation reinforces that mindset by giving employees a direct stake in the company’s long-term success. Regardless of role, every team member is expected to think like an owner and make decisions that move the business forward.

Apply with us:

We believe in equal opportunity and are committed to creating an inclusive climate where everyone can thrive. Customers trust us with their finances, so successful candidates for this position will be required to undergo a security screening, including a criminal records check and a credit check.

By continuing with your application, you agree to the Candidate Privacy Notice, which guides how we process your personal information for the purpose of your application.

Neo Financial leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to reinforce our candidate evaluation process, including the initial assessment of applications and screening of candidates. These tools support our recruitment team; however, all final hiring decisions are made by humans and are not based exclusively on automated processing. If you require further information regarding our data processing practices, please contact us.

We are hiring for an open, vacant position.

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About Data

The Data field has undergone a radical transformation with the rise of Generative AI. Data professionals are fundamental for evidence-based decision-making across all industries.

Key specializations include Data Engineering, Data Science, Business Intelligence, Machine Learning Engineering, and Analytics. Tools like SQL, Python, Spark, dbt, and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) are essential.

The data market continues with high demand and salaries among the most competitive in the technology sector, with many remote work opportunities.

About Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is currently the fastest-growing field in the technology market. The revolution in generative models (GPT, Claude, Gemini) has created massive demand for AI-specialized professionals.

Key areas of practice include Machine Learning Engineering, MLOps, Prompt Engineering, AI Research, and Applied AI. Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and LLM knowledge are essential skills.

AI salaries are the highest in the technology sector, with many remote work opportunities at international companies.

About Product Owner

The Product Owner (PO) is the professional responsible for maximizing the value of the product delivered by the development team. They act as the voice of the customer and stakeholders, managing and prioritizing the product backlog, defining clear user stories, and ensuring the team works on the most valuable items for the business.

Key skills include backlog management, user story writing, prioritization (Mascow, RICE), agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban), and stakeholder communication. Knowledge of tools like Jira, Trello, Azure DevOps, and Miro is essential.

Product Owners are highly sought-after professionals in the technology market, working collaboratively with Scrum Masters, Product Managers, and engineering teams to drive agility and continuous value delivery.

Discover Other Areas

Understand the scope of work, key skills, and tools used in different career areas.

About Web Designer

The Web Designer is the professional responsible for creating visual interfaces for websites, web applications, and landing pages, combining aesthetics, usability, and user experience. They transform business needs into functional and responsive layouts that communicate brand identity.

Key skills include UI design, responsive design, prototyping (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD), wireframing, design systems, accessibility (WCAG), information architecture, and basic HTML/CSS knowledge. Knowledge of UX design, motion design, and front-end is a differentiator.

Web Designers in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master design systems, design tokens, and can create interfaces that convert and engage. The field offers opportunities from junior web designer to product designer and design lead.

About Business Analysis

The Business Analyst (BA) is the professional responsible for identifying problems, opportunities, and solutions in organizational processes, acting as a bridge between business areas and the technology development team. They gather and specify requirements, map value streams, design future processes, and help ensure that software deliveries align with the company's strategic goals.

About Web3

The Web3 area represents the new phase of the decentralized internet, built on blockchain technology. Web3 professionals create decentralized applications (dApps), interact with smart contracts, manage digital assets (cryptocurrencies and NFTs), and utilize DeFi (Decentralized Finance) protocols, revolutionizing how data, ownership, and finance are managed online.

About Administrative

The Administrative area is responsible for ensuring the efficient functioning of all organizational operations. Administrative professionals manage processes, human resources, procurement, and facility management.

Key skills include process management, Office 365, administrative ERPs, compliance, and people management. Knowledge of automation and AI tools is becoming increasingly relevant.

The digitization of administrative processes has created new opportunities for professionals who master technology and management.

About Traffic Manager

The Traffic Manager is the professional responsible for planning, executing, and optimizing paid media campaigns across various digital platforms. With the competitiveness of the digital market, paid traffic professionals are essential for generating qualified leads and maximizing return on advertising investment.

Key skills include campaign management on Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and TikTok Ads, media planning, metrics analysis (ROAS, CPA, CPC, CTR), A/B testing, remarketing, and landing page creation. Tools like Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Hotjar, and automation platforms are essential.

Traffic managers in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master performance marketing, conversion funnel optimization, and scaling strategies. The field offers opportunities from media analyst to head of performance, with a focus on growth, budget efficiency, and return on investment.

Career Guides

Technology Career Guide

Planning, skills, interviews, and professional growth in IT, Data Science, DevOps, and Product.

Read full guide →

Design Career Guide

UX/UI, Graphic Design, Product Design. Portfolio, tools, interviews, and growth in the Design field.

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Marketing Career Guide

SEO, Paid Media, Growth, Content Marketing. Certifications, tools, and strategies to grow in Digital Marketing.

Read full guide →

Finance Career Guide

Financial market, investments, corporate finance, certifications, and strategies to grow in the financial field.

Read full guide →

Communication Career Guide

Journalism, PR, Corporate Communication, Content Marketing, and Multimedia Production.

Read full guide →

Administration Career Guide

Business Management, HR, Logistics, Consulting, Project Management, and Entrepreneurship.

Read full guide →

Data Career Guide

Data Science, Data Engineering, BI, Machine Learning, and AI. From training to the job market.

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Product Career Guide

Product Management, Product Ownership, Agile, Scrum, and OKRs. From strategy to execution.

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Tech & Remote Glossary

Stop getting lost in interviews and job descriptions

The job market, especially within tech and global companies, has developed its own dialect. Not understanding these acronyms can make you lose valuable opportunities or poorly negotiate your contract. To end this problem, we created the Definitive Glossary for the Remote Professional.

🏢 Work Models & Routine

Async (Asynchronous Work)
A communication model where responses don't need to be immediate. Instead of back-to-back meetings, the team relies on well-structured documents, threads, and messages. It's the gold standard for global companies spanning multiple time zones.
Sync (Synchronous Work)
The opposite of Async. It requires the team to be online and available at the same time for meetings, live chats, and real-time collaboration.
Daily / Stand-up
A quick daily meeting (usually 15 minutes) common in Agile (Scrum) methodologies. The team answers three questions: What did I do yesterday? What will I do today? Are there any blockers?
All-Hands / Town Hall
A company-wide meeting involving all employees. Usually led by the founders (C-Levels) to present results, new goals, and answer team questions.
1:1 (One-on-One)
A recurring individual meeting between a professional and their direct manager. It is used for career alignment, feedback, and problem-solving, not just for project status updates.

💰 Contracts, Benefits & Compensation

PTO (Paid Time Off)
Instead of strict, categorized leave policies, modern US companies usually offer a flexible pool of days (e.g., 20 days of PTO, or even "Unlimited PTO") that you can use for vacations, sick days, or personal matters, while receiving your regular compensation.
Equity / Stock Options
Company ownership. The startup offers you the right to buy shares at a heavily discounted strike price in the future. If the company grows, goes public, or is acquired, these shares can be highly lucrative.
Vesting (Vesting Schedule)
The rule that controls your Equity. It usually lasts 4 years. You don't get all the shares on day one; you "earn" them gradually as you stay with the company. A "1-year Cliff" means you must stay for at least one year to receive your first batch of shares.
RSUs (Restricted Stock Units)
Unlike Stock Options (where you have the right to buy the stock), RSUs are actual shares the company grants you as a bonus or part of your compensation package, following a strict Vesting schedule.
Independent Contractor (1099 / B2B)
The most common international hiring model for global talent working for US companies. You act as a service provider (business-to-business), receiving the gross salary (often six-figure compensation) without standard local payroll tax deductions at the source.

🤖 Recruitment & Hiring Process

ATS (Applicant Tracking System)
The "robot" that reads your resume. Software like Greenhouse, Ashby, and Workday are used to filter candidates by keywords before a human even looks at the document. (Pro tip: this is why your resume must be clean, semantic, and have the right keywords).
JD (Job Description)
The document that lists the responsibilities, technical requirements, and benefits of the open position.
Cultural Fit
The interview stage that evaluates if your core values, communication style, and worldview align with the company's culture. This is the ultimate test of your Soft Skills.
Onboarding
The integration process. It's the period of your first few weeks at the company, where you get your access credentials, learn about the culture, study the internal documentation, and understand how the product works.

🚀 How to use this to your advantage?

The secret isn't just knowing what these acronyms mean, but using them actively. If during an interview for a premium tech role you ask, "How does your PTO policy and Vesting schedule work?", the recruiter will immediately perceive you as a high-level professional, familiar with the global market standards.

The remote job market requires preparation. And having the right vocabulary is the first big step to securing six-figure proposals and standing out among thousands of applicants.

Expert Tip

The Current State of the Cloud & DevOps Market

By Mondywork | The ultimate guide for tech professionals looking to level up their careers, land global remote roles, and master modern infrastructure.

The End of the "SysAdmin" and the Rise of Platform Engineering

If you've been tracking the most sought-after roles at startups and Fortune 500 companies, you've probably noticed a drastic shift. The Cloud Computing and DevOps market is no longer just about "keeping the app online." Today, companies demand extreme resilience, automation, and cost optimization (the famous FinOps).

DevOps culture has evolved. We are now in the era of Platform Engineering, where infrastructure teams build internal platforms to grant developers full autonomy (Self-Service). For those aiming for global remote roles with six-figure compensation, understanding this transition isn't just a plus—it's a strict requirement.

"Elite DevOps teams deploy code 973 times more frequently and boast a Mean Time To Recovery (MTTR) that is 6,570 times faster than low-performing teams."

— State of DevOps Report (DORA / Google Cloud)

What Do Recruiters and ATS Systems Really Look For?

Automated filters (ATS platforms like Greenhouse, Ashby, and Workday) are hardwired to scan for a very specific set of skills in Cloud/DevOps resumes. Simply listing 20 tools won't cut it anymore; you must demonstrate culture and real-world impact.

  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Forget clicking around the AWS console. Declarative tools like Terraform, Pulumi, and Ansible are the true industry standards.
  • Container Orchestration: Mastery of Docker and, above all, Kubernetes (K8s) is practically mandatory for premium roles.
  • CI/CD Culture: Building automated pipelines (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, ArgoCD) that guarantee continuous and secure deployments.
  • Cloud Providers and Architecture: Proficiency in at least one major public cloud provider (AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure), with a strong focus on Serverless, microservices, and system resilience.

How to Transition: The Roadmap to Success

Many Back-End developers, support analysts, and network professionals want to pivot to Cloud and DevOps. If that's your goal, follow this market-validated roadmap:

  1. Master the Basics (Linux and Networking): Modern DevOps runs on Linux. Understanding permissions, processes, bash scripting, and the fundamentals of TCP/IP, DNS, and Load Balancers is your foundation.
  2. Learn to Code: A DevOps engineer doesn't need to be a Senior Developer, but you must know how to automate tasks. Python and Go (Golang) are currently the most highly valued languages in this ecosystem.
  3. Are Certifications Worth It? Yes, especially to get past the initial HR screening. Certifications like the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate or the CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator) carry massive weight in the global market.
  4. Build a Real Portfolio: Publish a project on GitHub where you provision infrastructure via Terraform, set up a CI/CD pipeline using GitHub Actions, and deploy a simple app to a Kubernetes cluster. Practical projects always beat theoretical resumes.

Essential References and Study Links

To stay up-to-date, we highly recommend following official organizations and annual market reports:


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