Senior BSA/AML Investigator

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Payments team is seeking an experienced BSA/AML Investigator to help detect, prevent, and report financial crimes. As part of the Legal & Compliance Team, you will help maintain an effective BSA/AML and Sanctions compliance program (“BSA/AML Program”). You will support the 5 pillars of an effective program. 

This is an in-office position based out of either our Palo Alto or New York City offices.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Independently investigate and resolve complex alerts and cases from transaction monitoring systems, including in-depth analysis of payment flows and user behaviors.
• Prepare, review, and recommend filing of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), ensuring high-quality narratives and supporting documentation.
• Assist with KYC and onboarding matters as required.
• Conduct Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) on high-risk users and transactions; perform periodic reviews of customer risk profiles and recommend adjustments to risk ratings.
• Assist in tuning and optimizing transaction monitoring rules and scenarios to reduce false positives while maintaining detection effectiveness.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior team members on investigation techniques and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., Product, Risk, Legal) on compliance-related initiatives and new product launches.
• Maintain expertise in evolving BSA/AML/OFAC regulations, FinCEN guidance, and payment industry financial crime trends

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• 4+ years of hands-on experience in AML, ideally in fintech or banking.
• Familiarity with financial crime risks specific to digital payments, money transmission, wallets, or peer-to-peer platforms is highly desirable.
• Proven experience preparing and filing SARs, including high-quality, well-structured narratives — strongly preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of BSA/AML laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, OFAC sanctions, and related requirements.
• Proven familiarity with local, regional, and international regulatory bodies (e.g., FinCEN, FATF, or equivalent), with practical experience navigating their guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational changes, manage competing priorities, and collaborate effectively across global teams and regions.
• Strong analytical mindset with structured problem-solving skills, a sense of urgency, and the capacity to work independently under minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, paired with interpersonal abilities to influence stakeholders at all levels and advance strategic initiatives.
• Quick learner with adaptability to evolving technologies, regulations, and business needs.
• AML-related certifications (e.g., CAMS, CGSS) are preferred but not required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

$125,000 - $150,000 USD

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at xAI, which also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.