Underwriter – Construction Loans (Residential)

Underwriter – Construction Loans (Residential)

Kirkland, WA

A rapidly growing private real estate lender is hiring an Underwriter to join their team. With $3B in loans funded, they continue to expand their footprint in residential lending.

In this role, you’ll work closely with residential builders and developers to evaluate loan applications, assess borrower qualifications, and ensure alignment with company and investor guidelines. You’ll collaborate with a credit team of five.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in credit analysis, risk assessment, and real estate development. You’ll be responsible for structuring and underwriting complex construction and bridge loans—making sound credit decisions that support the firm’s growth while managing risk effectively.

Underwriter Responsibilities:

• Deal Vetting: Underwrite bridge and construction loans end-to-end, confirm inputs, and keep the file buttoned-up for audit.
• Borrower & Project Diagnostics: Dig into financials, credit profile, budgets, comps, and assumptions to gauge ability to execute and repay.
• Exposure Mapping & Mitigation: Pinpoint market, build, timeline, and exit risks; shape terms (reserves, covenants, collateral) to offset them.
• Committee Briefings: Produce tight decision memos and risk snapshots; present and shepherd packages through leadership/credit review.
• Controls & Requirements: Keep every deal aligned with internal credit frameworks, investor parameters, and applicable lending rules.
• Partner Interface: Serve as the go-to between loan officers, borrowers, brokers, and internal teams to keep diligence unblocked.
• C-Suite Initiatives: Support the Chief Credit Officer on ad-hoc analyses, portfolio looks, and priority special assignments.

Underwriter Qualifications:

• 2+ years of mortgage/banking experience and/or related industry experience in construction, real estate and/or private equity.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Real Estate, Business, or related field
• Solid understanding of income property analysis and loan structuring.
• Proficiency in Excel and familiarity with loan origination software.
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Company Benefits & Culture:

• Annual bonuses
• Employee home loan program
• 401k with a 3% match

Compensation: $95k-$115k + bonus