Director, Core Systems Engineering

Visa is a world leader in payments technology, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories, dedicated to uplifting everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

At Visa, you'll have the opportunity to create impact at scale — tackling meaningful challenges, growing your skills and seeing your contributions impact lives around the world. Join Visa and do work that matters — to you, to your community, and to the world.

Progress starts with you.

The Core Systems Engineering Team is part of Operations & Infrastructure (O&I) Technology Platform and is responsible for common integration infrastructure that supports communication between multiple enterprise applications and multiple business lines.

This team is the backbone of Visa’s global infrastructure- responsible for all hardware and every operating system that powers our authorization and clearing and settlement systems for both credit and debit. We manage one of the most robust and mission-critical system environments in the industry, directly supporting 89% of Visa’s revenue. From mainframe to modern platforms, our engineers ensure the reliability, scalability, and performance of the systems that move money around the world.

This position is responsible for leadership of a Mainframe systems engineering team and oversight of the technology investment as it relates to the IBM z/OS operating system, networking, storage administration and automation in support of Visa’s Core Clearing and Settlement applications.  This position will report to the Senior Director of Core Systems Engineering.

Responsibilities:

• Leadership requirements for this position include:
• Direct management and technical and strategic direction for the Mainframe Systems Engineering, Orchestration and Storage teams.
• Provide direction in z/OS, z/TPF and z/VM infrastructure from a design and engineering support perspective to build a responsive, high performing enterprise engineering team.
• Oversight of the technology investment as it relates to z/OS, z/TPF and z/VM operating systems, networking and automation in support of Visa’s Core applications.
• Helping establish an enterprise wide technology vision for the zSeries platform and ensuring that the infrastructure related efforts are aligned with business requirements.
• Coordinate with the other direct reports and teams of this Sr. Director, including hardware, storage, automation and principal engineers.
• External contacts will include all levels of management of Global Systems Engineering and Systems Operations.

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your hiring manager.

Visa will accept applications for this role until at least January 31, 2026.

Basic Qualifications:
10+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 7 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 4 years of work experience with a PhD, OR 13+ years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 8-10 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 6+ years of work experience with a PhD
Extensive experience in zSeries systems engineering.
Experience in tactical and strategic planning in Large IBM systems engineering departments.
Experience in z/TPF and/or z/VM operating systems is a bonus.
A demonstrated ability for information technology planning and team direction setting.
A demonstrated ability to manage highly skilled technology teams is also required.
Experience with configuration of mainframe system and significant subsystems.
Experience with installation, maintaining, and implementation of mainframe and ISV software.
Ability to work independently.
Solid experience with vendor relationships.
Team player with strong communication skills.
IT management experience.
10 or more years total Information Technology experience.

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting.  The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.  Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for this position is $176,400 to $282,500 USD per year, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.