Staff Technical Program Manager, Block Data & Platform

Block is one company built from many blocks, all united by the same purpose of economic empowerment. The blocks that form our foundational teams - People, Finance, Counsel, Hardware, Information Security, Platform Infrastructure Engineering, and more - provide support and guidance at the corporate level. They work across business groups and around the globe, spanning time zones and disciplines to develop inclusive People policies, forecast finances, give legal counsel, safeguard systems, nurture new initiatives, and more. Every challenge creates possibilities, and we need different perspectives to see them all. Bring yours to Block.
The Role
We're looking for a Staff-level TPM reporting into Block's TPM org to lead some of the most strategically critical, technically complex programs across our AI, ML, and Data Infrastructure (AiDA) organization-an org of 500+ engineers whose work underpins applied AI, platform evolution, and risk-informed decision-making at Block scale.
This role is a strategic operating partner to engineering leadership, with responsibility not just for shipping multi-team programs, but for shaping the long-term execution plans and communication models, and delivery frameworks that allow AiDA to function effectively across highly distributed teams. You will lead delivery of programs that span ambiguous domains, such as data lineage, AI enablement, infra cost optimization, and multi-org ETL migrations-all while helping teams navigate fragmentation, reduce operational chaos, and deliver with confidence.
While your focus will lean heavily into data engineering, ML infrastructure, and AI scaling, you'll also play a critical role in modernizing traditional infrastructure and platform capabilities-addressing issues like cost, observability, and scale. Your ability to navigate both greenfield and legacy technologies, and drive project results within both, will be a key differentiator.
You Will

• Drive high-impact, multi-org programs involving data infrastructure, ETL modernization, ML platform enablement, and cost optimization.
• Shape technical delivery strategy, establishing scalable execution frameworks, milestone architectures, and clear, consistent decision-making cadences across AiDA and partner orgs.
• Collaborate deeply with engineering and product leadership, ensuring alignment with technical priorities and engineering resourcing plans in infra and AI.
• Reduce chaos and misalignment by introducing strong communication rhythms, setting shared expectations across teams, and helping others navigate ambiguity.
• Navigate greenfield system development and legacy modernization, guiding programs that touch everything from emerging ML capabilities to long-standing infra debt.
• Lead from the center of the TPM craft, mentoring others, improving internal processes, and contributing to hiring, onboarding, and tooling evolution.

You Have

• 9+ years of experience, with at least 2+ years operating at a Staff/Principal level or equivalent.
• Demonstrated success leading multi-quarter, cross-functional programs involving infrastructure, data platforms, or ML systems.
• Deep technical understanding of data pipelines, ML enablement, infra architecture, and platform scalability-and make strategic tradeoffs.
• Strong organizational design thinking-you've built execution frameworks, cross-team coordination strategies, and governance processes that scale.
• Experience aligning and influencing executive stakeholders (VP/C-suite) and driving programs that span product, engineering, and operations.
• Ability to collaborate with technical and non-technical audiences in high-stakes settings.
• Passion for TPM craft and team culture- and invest in leveling up those around you.

We're working to build a more inclusive economy where our customers have equal access to opportunity, and we strive to live by these same values in building our workplace. Block is an equal opportunity employer evaluating all employees and job applicants without regard to identity or any legally protected class. We will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and "fair chance" ordinances.
We believe in being fair, and are committed to an inclusive interview experience, including providing reasonable accommodations to disabled applicants throughout the recruitment process. We encourage applicants to share any needed accommodations with their recruiter, who will treat these requests as confidentially as possible. Want to learn more about what we're doing to build a workplace that is fair and square? Check out our I+D page .
While there is no specific deadline to apply for this role, U.S. roles are typically open for an average of 55 days before being filled by a successful candidate. Please refer to the date listed at the top of this job page for when this role was first posted.
Block takes a market-based approach to pay, and pay may vary depending on your location. U.S. locations are categorized into one of four zones based on a cost of labor index for that geographic area. The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future.
To find a location's zone designation, please refer to this resource . If a location of interest is not listed, please speak with a recruiter for additional information.
Zone A:
$217,800 - $326,800 USD
Zone B:
$217,800 - $326,800 USD
Zone C:
$217,800 - $326,800 USD
Zone D:
$217,800 - $326,800 USD
Use of AI in Our Hiring Process
We may use automated AI tools to evaluate job applications for efficiency and consistency. These tools comply with local regulations, including bias audits, and we handle all personal data in accordance with state and local privacy laws.
Contact us at [email protected] with hiring practice or data usage questions.
Every benefit we offer is designed with one goal: empowering you to do the best work of your career while building the life you want. Remote work, medical insurance, flexible time off, retirement savings plans, and modern family planning are just some of our offering. Check out our other benefits at Block.
Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) builds technology to increase access to the global economy. Each of our brands unlocks different aspects of the economy for more people. Square makes commerce and financial services accessible to sellers. Cash App is the easy way to spend, send, and store money. Afterpay is transforming the way customers manage their spending over time. TIDAL is a music platform that empowers artists to thrive as entrepreneurs. Bitkey is a simple self-custody wallet built for bitcoin. Proto is a suite of bitcoin mining products and services. Together, we're helping build a financial system that is open to everyone.