Lead Commercial Underwriter - Federal Lending Program

At Lenders Cooperative we are a forward-thinking group of former bankers, investment bankers, and technologists who recognize the need for better innovation and solutions to support financial institutions' commercial lending efforts. Our core mission is to help these institutions to focus on their true strengths. In addition to our SaaS technology solutions, Lenders Cooperative offers staff augmentation, credit underwriting, SBA Loan Service Provider (LSP) underwriting and support, and bank operations. At Lenders, our culture is built on three core values— Urgency, Collaboration, and Commitment —which shape how we work, innovate, and support one another. Joining Lenders means being part of a mission-driven team that values innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. If you thrive in high-pressure environments where urgency meets creativity and where every challenge is an opportunity to create impact, then continue reading....

Lenders Cooperative seeks an experienced Lead Commercial Underwriter to support a high-profile government lending initiative. This role will focus on evaluating complex $10MM to $150MM direct loan applications from private-sector companies working in critical technology sectors . In addition to underwriting responsibilities, the selected candidate may serve as project lead , with responsibility for building and overseeing a small team of underwriters or analysts as needed to meet engagement timelines and workload demands.

Location:
The position is based in the Arlington, VA area. (U.S. Citizenship Required).

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary underwriter and project lead for federal program loan evaluations, overseeing all phases of the underwriting process.
• Lead credit analysis for loan requests between $10MM and $150MM, including financial review, risk assessment, borrower eligibility, and transaction structure.
• Draft detailed credit memoranda, including credit ratings, risk factors, and recommendations aligned with guidelines.
• If needed, recruit, onboard, and manage a team of contract analysts or underwriters to support the engagement.
• Act as the main point of contact for client stakeholders, legal teams, and internal review committees.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and programmatic requirements and maintain audit-ready documentation.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in commercial lending, structured finance, or credit underwriting, ideally involving large-ticket or government-backed transactions.
• Proven ability to lead underwriting projects and/or manage teams under tight deadlines.
• Deep familiarity with complex credit evaluations and public-private financial structures.
• Strong analytical, writing, and financial modeling skills.
• U.S. citizenship required (security background check may be required for engagement).

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in the defense industrial base, advanced manufacturing, or critical technology sectors.
• Familiarity with federal lending or guarantee programs.
• MBA, CFA, or formal credit training preferred.
• Prior experience supporting federal agencies or national security-related lending programs is a strong plus.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses
• Comprehensive health, free dental and vision insurance plans
• Flexible work hours and fully remote work options
• Unlimited PTO and company holidays
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment with a diverse team
• Company-sponsored events and team outings

If you're ready to take your career to the next level and be part of a team that values creativity and innovation, apply now! We can't wait to meet you and see how you'll contribute to our success.

Lenders Cooperative is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate our employees' unique differences because that drives curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.