AI Model Validation Associate

Job Description

About This Role

The Risk & Quantitative Analysis (RQA) group provides independent oversight of BlackRock's fiduciary and enterprise risks. The principal objectives are to advance the firm's risk management practices and to deliver independent risk expertise and constructive challenge to enhance control effectiveness and risk management outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent validation of AI/ML models, including generative AI systems, recommendation engines, and predictive models.
• Design and implement comprehensive validation strategies and test plans tailored to each AI use case. Define clear success criteria and determine whether the AI solution meets all requirements and standards.
• Assess conceptual soundness, methodology, and implementation of intended business use.
• Review data quality, preprocessing steps, and feature engineering for AI use cases.
• Perform functional and ad hoc testing
• Evaluate performance metrics under various scenarios.
• Document validation findings
• Stay current on emerging regulatory developments
• Communicate validation stakeholders, including risk teams, model developers, and business stakeholders to facilitate model enhancements and ensure control effectiveness and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with AI Engineering, Data Science, and Risk teams to enhance AI transparency and trustworthiness.

Experience, Skills, and Qualifications

• With 7-10 years' work experience in the financial industry.
• Advanced degree (MS, PhD) in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, or related field.
• Strong understanding of AI/ML algorithms, including deep learning, NLP, and generative models.
• Experience with Python, R, or similar programming languages; familiarity with ML Frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Knowledge of AI risk management principles, validation methodologies, and regulatory expectations.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and challenge stakeholders constructively.
• Experience validating large financial systems.
• Familiarity with AI ethics, explainability, and bias.
• Exposure to cloud-based

Our Benefits

BlackRock offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes a strong retirement plan, wellbeing programs, and parental leave.

Our Hybrid Work Model

BlackRock's hybrid work model is designed to foster a culture of collaboration and connection. All BlackRock employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work remotely 1 day per week.