Mortgage Underwriter (Non-QM Specialist)

Be part of a team that's committed to making a difference. We believe in our work and our customers. Position Location Remote Type Remote Office Location (if not fully remote): n/a Job Description Location: Remote (Work-from-home flexibility) The Opportunity: Are you a detail-oriented credit expert who thrives on solving complex financial puzzles? We are seeking a Mortgage Underwriter with a deep background in Non-QM and residential lending. In this role, you won’t just check boxes; you will exercise high-level judgment to evaluate risk, identify viable loan paths, and ensure the highest quality of credit decisions in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Key Responsibilities: Technical Underwriting: Perform comprehensive reviews of loan applications, including complex income docs, tax returns, P&L statements, and appraisals to ensure total accuracy. Risk Evaluation: Classify and qualify loans according to company and secondary market guidelines, conducting "reasonableness tests" to ensure sound business decisions. Strategic Problem Solving: Rework loan terms and identify creative, compliant conditions to turn challenging files into viable credit decisions. Collaborative Communication: Act as a bridge between Loan Originators, Processors, and Management to resolve compliance or funding hurdles with clarity and speed. Industry Expertise: Maintain an elite understanding of Fannie Mae (DU), Freddie Mac (LP), and emerging Non-QM products to stay ahead of market shifts. Quality Assurance: Ensure all files are audit-ready, maintaining acceptable turnaround times while upholding the integrity of the funding package. Who You Are: A Critical Thinker: You don't just see numbers; you see the story behind the borrower's profile and can defend your decisions with logic and data. A Non-QM Expert: You have specific experience with non-traditional mortgage products and manual underwriting policies. A Cultural Pillar: You value accountability, diversity, and a "can-do" spirit, contributing to a team environment that is both professional and high-energy. Qualifications: Experience: 4–6 years of mortgage experience, with at least 4+ years of residential underwriting (including second-level review/approval authority). Specialized Knowledge: Non-QM experience is required. Proficiency in Encompass and fraud-detection tools is highly preferred. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business (or equivalent career experience). Soft Skills: Exceptional written communication and the ability to manage internal/external relationships under tight deadlines. Remote Setup: A dedicated, quiet home workspace with high-speed internet. Fairway Home Mortgage, founded in 1996, is a nationwide leader in the mortgage industry. Customer service is at the heart of everything we do. We deliver personalized loan solutions with some of the fastest turn times in the industry. Our mission is to act as trusted advisors, guiding clients through every step of the mortgage process to exceed expectations and ensure satisfaction. Our culture promotes innovation, growth, and collaboration, offering exciting career paths and professional development. Whether you're starting out or advancing your career, Fairway is a place where your skills and ambitions can thrive. Current Employees: Head to the Fairway Careers Hub in Workday for internal job openings. We post some job openings internally for our employees and others externally for the general public. If you cannot find the perfect role right now, do not hesitate to contact the Careers Team at [email protected] . We can answer any questions and keep you updated on future opportunities. View our E-Verify and Right to Work notices HERE . Important Notice to Job Seekers! We’ve been made aware of fraudulent messages falsely claiming to be from Fairway recruiters, including links to assessments. These are not legitimate and are not affiliated with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. We’re working with our Information Security team to address this issue. Thank you for your vigilance and continued interest in joining Fairway! All official communication will come from verified Fairway email addresses or our official LinkedIn page. If you receive a suspicious message, please do not click any links and notify us.