Data Scientist Intern

The Real Estate Lending (REL) AI & Data Science team develops AI-enabled capabilities, machine learning solutions, and advanced analytics that support mission critical decision making across REL. By leveraging member, financial and organizational data, the team enhances the member experience, improves operational efficiency, and helps business partners achieve strategic objectives through cutting-edge AI and data science solutions. The Summer Associate will support the team's AI and data science initiatives by contributing to projects involving machine learning, advanced analytics, or AI agents that drive measurable impact across REL and Navy Federal.

The Summer Associate Program is a 12-week internship program beginning in May 2027 and ending in August 2027. Students will work on impactful projects and meaningful work during their internship. To qualify for this position, applicants must be currently pursuing a degree from an accredited college or university and have an anticipated graduation date of December 2027 or later.

• Currently pursuing a graduate degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, or another quantitative field.

• Working knowledge of statistics, machine learning, data mining, data auditing, data aggregation, data reconciliation, and data visualization.

• Working knowledge of programming, data modeling, simulation techniques, and quantitative analysis. 

• Experience with SQL, R, Python/Pyspark, Hadoop, SAS, AWS, Github and APIs.

• Experience with Databricks, Azure Environment (AI Foundry), Copilot Studio and PowerBI.

• Interest in or exposure to AI/LLMs and agent development (prompt engineering, RAG architectures, vector databases, embeddings, AI guardrails, LLM evaluations, fine-tuning fundamentals).

• Ability to understand business problems, identify analytical approaches, and develop practical, data-driven recommendations.

• Strong research, critical-thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify assumptions, constraints, and risks.

• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, data-storytelling, and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

• Ability to collaborate effectively, build relationships, take initiative, manage priorities, and work through ambiguity with sound judgment.

• Curious, energetic, and growth-oriented approach with a willingness to learn new tools, methods, and business concepts

Additional Information

Hours:

• Monday – Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30 PM ET

Locations:

• 820 Follin Lane, Vienna, VA 22180

• 5550 Heritage Oaks Dr Pensacola, FL 32526

• 141 Security Dr. Winchester, VA 22602

Potential Projects

• Explore opportunities to apply large language models (LLMs) or AI agents to enhance information retrieval, analytical workflows, the member experience, or operational efficiency.

• Build a machine learning propensity model to predict the likelihood that an NFCU member will refinance a loan within a defined time period. 

• Perform advanced analytics on large and complex datasets to identify patterns in member behavior, engagement, and loan activity, translating findings into actionable business insights.

Responsibilities

• Support data science, machine-learning, and AI initiatives for Real Estate Lending.

• Design, develop, and evaluate large and complex predictive models, advanced algorithms, and LLM-driven AI agents. 

• Develop actionable insights and data-driven recommendations that support business decision-making.

• Use evaluation, judgment, and interpretation to select right course of action.

• Work on problems of diverse scopes where analysis of information requires evaluation of identifiable factors.

• Transform data into charts, tables, or format that aids effective decision making.

• Utilize effective written and verbal communication to document analyses and present findings and analyses to a diverse audience of stakeholders. 

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with team members, subject matter experts, and leaders.

• Model best practices and ethical AI.

• Participate in all team activities and knowledge shares.

• Perform other related duties as assigned

Targeted Salary Range: $26.44 - $46.88 per hour