Director, Platform Engineering

Our Purpose
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
Title and Summary
Director, Platform Engineering
Overview
The Data Center and Customer Edge Network Engineering team is seeking a Director to lead Mastercard's next-generation WAN strategy through the global deployment of SD-WAN and the transformation of the customer edge network. This leader will be accountable for driving scalable, secure, and resilient solutions across thousands of sites globally. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong leadership, execution discipline, and a passion for building high-performing teams and future-ready platforms.
Role
As Director, you will own the end-to-end strategy, planning, execution, and operational readiness of Mastercard's global SD-WAN program. You will lead cross-functional engineering teams and partner closely with operations, architecture, security, sourcing, and business units to ensure seamless delivery, modernization, and support of our WAN infrastructure. This role will oversee platform standardization, site migrations, vendor integration, and alignment to global compliance and risk frameworks.
Requirements • Proven leadership experience in large-scale network transformation programs, including SD-WAN strategy and deployment • Deep knowledge of Cisco and Fortinet routing and switching platforms (Fortinet SD-WAN experience highly beneficial) • Hands-on or oversight experience with enterprise firewalls (Check Point, Palo Alto) • Expertise in hybrid cloud network integration across Azure, Google, and AWS platforms • Strong understanding of dynamic routing (BGP, OSPF), segmentation, and zero-trust design principles • Demonstrated success building and leading geographically distributed engineering teams • Strong background in vendor governance, automation-driven operations, and program delivery • Effective communicator with experience presenting to senior leadership and business stakeholders • Familiarity with compliance frameworks (PCI, ISO 27001), change control, and network risk management
Key Responsibilities • Lead the global SD-WAN strategy and oversee phased rollout across 2,000+ customer edge sites • Define and drive the architecture, standardization, and lifecycle management of WAN, LAN, and cloud-edge platforms • Own planning and execution of all SD-WAN deployments, including pilot programs, scaling models, migration waves, and production transitions • Govern vendor partnerships and technical integrations (e.g., Fortinet, Cisco, managed services providers) • Provide architectural oversight and leadership for:
o Fortinet SD-WAN edge design and policy enforcement
o Cisco ISR/ASR router optimization and phased decommissioning
o Firewall migration planning and segmentation improvements • Align WAN modernization with Mastercard's broader network architecture strategy and regulatory mandates • Establish telemetry, observability, and operational health monitoring in collaboration with Network Operations • Coordinate with Information Security on firewall rule standards, cloud connectivity, and encrypted traffic inspection • Drive automation, documentation, and QA of all deployment playbooks and change control workflows • Partner with sourcing, finance, and risk teams to ensure cost-effective and compliant delivery • Lead and mentor a global team of engineers and consultants; foster a high-performance culture and technical excellence • Serve as escalation point for executive leadership during major incidents or change events related to SD-WAN • Report program status, risks, KPIs, and business impact to senior leadership
Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.
Corporate Security Responsibility
All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard's security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard's guidelines.

In line with Mastercard's total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. The base salary offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Mastercard benefits for full time (and certain part time) employees generally include: insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance); flexible spending account and health savings account; paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave); 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time, 25 days of vacation time and 5 personal days, pro-rated based on date of hire; 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays; 401k with a best-in-class company match; deferred compensation for eligible roles; fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities; eligibility for tuition reimbursement; and many more. Mastercard benefits for interns generally include: 56 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time; jury duty leave; and on-site fitness facilities in some locations.
Pay Ranges
O'Fallon, Missouri: $152,000 - $258,000 USD