Sr. Mortgage Underwriter I

About the Company

Valon is transforming both mortgage servicing and consumer direct lending with a technology-first approach. Backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and managing over $130 billion in loans, we’ve built our platforms from the ground up—not on outdated legacy systems—so homeowners, lenders, and investors experience greater transparency, efficiency, and care. By unifying processes into a modern, AI-native operating system, we’re leading the way in automation, compliance, and continuous improvement across our servicing and lending businesses.

Our mission is to empower every homeowner by making the mortgage experience simple, secure, and financially empowering. To achieve this, we bring together world-class engineers, servicing experts, lending professionals, and operations leaders who share a passion for improving the homeowner journey. We’re not only reshaping what servicing and lending look like today—we’re creating opportunities for talented people to help drive the future of the industry.

As we continue to grow, Valon is expanding its footprint across multiple states, opening the door to exciting new roles and career paths. Joining Valon means becoming part of a fast-scaling company where innovation, collaboration, and customer impact go hand in hand. Mortgage is just the beginning—we’re building the future of regulated finance, and we want you to be part of it.

Lending at Valon

Valon is currently scaling up its mortgage lending business, which aims to provide Valon borrowers with the ability to access low-cost, streamlined mortgage credit and tools to retain borrowers in their portfolio for Valon partners. We are looking for experienced and innovative individuals to help build our team and business who are eager to change the mortgage industry for the better.

About this Role

The Sr. Mortgage Underwriter 1 will be responsible for, but not limited to, the underwriting of residential loans through post-close sale/ ensuring compliance with appropriate company and investor guidelines. A Mortgage Underwriter will be responsible for examining loan documentation for accuracy and completeness while working with loan originators, processors, or production staff to secure all required documents.

Valon currently originates conventional and FHA loans, and underwriters can expect to be involved in both programs, with the possibility of additional programs being added in the future.

You may be required to work with more senior mortgage underwriters or the underwriting manager on loan exceptions, having the authority to withdraw and decline loans.

Responsibilities

• Analyze borrowers' credit, income, assets, collateral, and capacity to ensure creditworthiness

• Review complex tax returns and income calculations

• Appraisal Review

• Review loans, mentor, and train new hires

• Maintain a working knowledge of secondary market underwriting guidelines, private investor, and private mortgage insurance guidelines

• Review new loans and clear conditions on resubmissions within SLA

• Respond to audits and perform quality control reviews on mortgage files

• Maintain a focus on enhancing customer service skills and knowledge.

• Ensure KPIs are met as set forth by the underwriting manager.

• Maintain the quality and data integrity of all loan files.

• Able to comply with the policies and procedures outlined in the Company Handbook

• Ability to multitask in a high-volume environment

• Continuous focus on the customer experience

• Ability to work independently

• Strong attention to detail and effective problem-solving skills

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of conventional mortgage underwriting experience

• 3+ years of FHA DE underwriting experience (TOTAL Scorecard and Manual)

• Deep knowledge of Fannie Mae/DU, Freddie Mac/LPA, and FHA guidelines and automated underwriting systems

• Ability to critically examine credit, income, assets, title, and appraisals for adherence to company, investor, and GSE underwriting guidelines

• Understanding of relevant mortgage industry federal regulation, including RESPA, TILA, ECOA, TRID, CFPB, etc.

• Minimum education requirement: High school diploma or GED equivalent required

Ideal Background

• 10+ years of mortgage underwriting experience

• 5+ years of FHA DE experience

• Current active VA designation

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

• Strong communicator with excellent writing skills

• High integrity with strong ethical values

• Team player with the ability to work effectively with a variety of team members

Benefits

• Compensation: competitive salary plus monthly commission and 401k plan

• Health & well-being: we’ll invest in your physical and mental well-being with comprehensive medical, dental, & vision benefits

• Commuter benefits: We offer pre-tax deductions for public transportation, rideshare services, and parking expenses to make your commute more affordable and convenient.

• Grow together: Company-wide orientation for you to successfully onboard and other learning & development opportunities, including regular review cycles that feature 360-degree feedback

• Generous time off: 17 days paid time off, sick days, and 11 company holidays

• Baby bonding time!: 12 weeks off for both birthing and non-birthing parents - fully paid so you can focus your energy on your newest addition

Throughout the interview process, please remember that emails will only be from valon.com email addresses. We will never ask for any personally identifiable information during the interview process itself. Please reach out to talent@valon.com if you have any requests to verify the authenticity of an outreach.

Valon is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. Valon makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.