Data Scientist

Nelnet is looking for a talented Data Scientist to help solve high-value business problems through advanced analytics, statistical modeling, and modern AI-driven solutions. As part of Nelnet's Data Science team, you will work on complex, high-impact initiatives that support financial decision-making across the organization.

This role blends financial modeling, data science, statistical analysis, and business strategy. You will partner with stakeholders across the business to analyze performance, build predictive and prescriptive models, improve forecasting, automate processes, and deliver decision-ready insights. You'll also have the opportunity to work with a broad set of technologies, including Python, SQL, cloud platforms, BI tools, and emerging AI capabilities such as LLMs.

We're looking for someone who is curious, analytical, and highly self-directed; someone who can take an ambiguous business question, structure the problem, identify the right data and methodology, and deliver a practical solution.

US Citizenship and the ability to obtain a Federal security clearance are required for this role.

Nelnet believes in a hybrid work environment that accommodates both in-office and remote work. This model promotes a positive work-life balance and culture, enabling in-person collaboration when possible while also providing benefits associated with remote work. The standard hybrid work schedule includes a 24/16 hour (in-office/work-from-home) split for associates that reside within 30 miles of an office. This is subject to change, based on manager discretion., 1. Build, enhance, and validate financial and statistical models that support forecasting, performance analysis, and strategic decision-making.

2. Conduct deep-dive analyses to uncover trends, drivers, risks, and opportunities within financial and operational data.
3. Develop predictive models, algorithms, and analytical tools using Python and related data science libraries.
4. Work with large, complex datasets across SQL databases, AWS environments, internal systems, external APIs, and flat files.
5. Clean, transform, join, and engineer data to support robust, scalable modeling and analytics solutions.
6. Identify and evaluate new data sources from internal, external, and public datasets to strengthen models and analyses.
7. Create dashboards, visualizations, and reporting tools in Power BI or ShadCN to communicate insights clearly and effectively.
8. Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership.
9. Improve team efficiency by automating manual processes and building reusable analytical workflows.
10. Stay current on emerging techniques in data science, financial analytics, machine learning, and AI.
11. Contribute to a collaborative team environment by mentoring junior team members and sharing best practices.

Bachelor's degree required in a Quantitative or Programming discipline. Quantitative disciplines are those that require a heavy amount of mathematics, statistics or analysis, including (but not limited to) fields such as Math, Physics, Finance or Economics., Data Scientist I: 2+ years of relevant experience in data analysis, modeling, or data science, or completion of a bachelor's/master's degree program specifically in Data Science or a related field with strong applied project experience

• Data Scientist II: 5+ years of relevant experience in data science, analytics, modeling, or a closely related discipline

• 2+ years of hands-on programming experience, preferably in Python
• Experience working with large, complex datasets and modern analytics tools

COMPETENCIES - SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES:

1. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear recommendations
2. Advanced proficiency in SQL and Python. Experience working with database and ETL tools. Experience with JavaScript, especially visualization packages like ShadCN, is a plus.
3. Experience building, testing, deploying, and monitoring predictive or statistical models in a business setting
4. Strong understanding of statistical methods, modeling techniques, and quantitative analysis
5. Experience with financial modeling, forecasting, scenario analysis, or related business modeling frameworks
6. Experience with data pipelines, ETL processes, and relational databases
7. Familiarity with cloud-based environments, preferably AWS
8. Experience with business intelligence and visualization tools, preferably Power BI or ShadCN
9. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills for coordinating across teams. Polished presentation skills preferred.
10. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with a high degree of ownership and accountability

Starting Salary Range for this Role: $80k - $115k Annually, DOE

Nelnet is a diversified and innovative company committed to enriching lives through the power of service as a student loan servicer, professional services company, consumer loan originator and servicer, payments processor, renewable energy solutions, and K-12 and higher education expert. For over 40 years, Nelnet has been serving its customers, associates, and communities. The perks of working at Nelnet go beyond our benefits package. When you join the Nelnet team, you're part of a community invested in the success of each individual. That support comes through in our work, as we are united by our mission of creating opportunities for people where they live, learn, and work., Nelnet is a Drug Free and Tobacco Free Workplace. You may know Nelnet as the nation's largest student loan servicer - but we do more than that. A lot more. We're also a professional services company, consumer loan originator and servicer, payment processor, renewable energy innovator, and K-12 and higher education expert (and that's just a shortlist). For over 40 years, we've been serving our customers, associates, and communities to make dreams possible.