Mortgage Underwriter - DE/SAR

Minimum 3+ years of current mortgage underwriting experience. Active DE (FHA) or SAR (VA) designation. Experience underwriting DPA (Down Payment Assistance) programs. Proficiency with Encompass Loan Origination System. Experience analyzing complex borrower profiles, including self-employed borrowers and layered risk. Strong working knowledge of AUS platforms (DU and LP) and ability to assess manual files when necessary. Deep understanding of current investor, agency, and compliance guidelines. Exceptional analytical skills, attention to detail, and time management. Ability to work independently in a fast-paced remote environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. No more than a 16-month gap in mortgage underwriting experience, or must have stayed up to date on market trends and newest guidelines if a gap applies. Must have current or recent loan-level underwriting authority (not a trainee or shadowing role). Encompass and AUS experience is required.

Analyze and underwrite loan files including credit, income, assets, appraisals, title, and supporting documentation. Issue clear, concise approval, suspension, or denial decisions within delegated authority. Underwrite loans to current FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional guidelines. Perform manual underwrites for loans that do not receive AUS Approve/Eligible findings. Interpret and evaluate complex self-employed income documentation. Review large deposits, verify funds for closing, and ensure adequate reserves. Communicate conditions and rationale for decisions to internal stakeholders clearly and professionally. Ensure all underwritten files meet agency, investor, and federal compliance requirements. Stay informed on changes to underwriting policies, loan products, and regulatory updates. Partner with processing and sales teams to promote a collaborative and efficient pipeline.