Director, Software 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.

We are seeking a Director of Software Engineering who combines strategic leadership with strong technical depth. This role leads multiple engineering teams while maintaining hands-on involvement in architecture decisions, technical reviews, and proof-of-concepts. You will drive engineering excellence, influence technology strategy, and ensure delivery of scalable, secure solutions that impact millions globally.

Essential Functions

• Lead and inspire engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability
• Guide architecture decisions, review critical components, and contribute to proof-of-concepts
• Collaborate with Product and Architecture leaders to define technology roadmaps
• Establish processes for code quality, automation, and operational excellence
• Hire, mentor, and retain top engineering talent
• Champion adoption of emerging technologies (AI/ML, GenAI, cloud-native architectures)
• Drive measurable improvements in engineering efficiency and system performance

Skills You’ll Bring

• Strategic leadership with a proven ability to manage multiple teams and large-scale programs
• Deep technical expertise in modern architectures (microservices, cloud-native), security engineering, and API platforms
• Strong understanding of agile methodologies and software development lifecycle principles
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive organizational change
• Experience balancing hands-on technical involvement with leadership responsibilities
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills
• Payments industry experience is a plus

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

Basic Qualifications:

• 10+ years of relevant work experience and a Bachelors degree, OR 13+ years of relevant work experience
• Proven ability to balance strategic leadership with technical depth.
• Expertise in modern architectures (microservices, cloud-native), security engineering, and API platforms.
• Strong understanding of agile methodologies and software development lifecycle principles.

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
• Technical Expertise:
  • Strong background in commercial software development within Unix/Linux environments
  • Deep knowledge of security engineering, IAM, authentication frameworks, and API Gateway development
  • Proficiency in modern architectures and technologies: Java/J2EE, Containers, Kubernetes, database technologies
  • Understanding of highly available, scalable transactional systems
• Leadership & Delivery:
  • Minimum 3 years leading product development and delivery across multiple technologies (Java/J2EE, Spring Boot, React, JavaScript, SQL, REST, test automation frameworks)
  • Proven ability to hire, develop, and retain high-caliber engineering talent
  • Demonstrated success driving measurable improvements in engineering efficiency, delivery, and performance metrics
• Innovation & Emerging Tech:
  • Experienced in leveraging GenAI tools and strong understanding of agentic solutions
  • Ability to champion adoption of emerging technologies to accelerate delivery and improve developer productivity
• Collaboration & Influence:
  • Strong experience partnering with Product leaders and technical product managers to define joint roadmaps and drive prioritization
  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills; capable of forming and advocating independent viewpoints
  • Exceptional communication and collaboration skills with a focus on win-win outcomes
• Methodologies & Industry Knowledge:
  • Deep understanding of agile methodologies and software development lifecycle principles
  • Payments industry experience is a plus

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 $186,800 to $299,200 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.