Director-Software Engineering - The Personalization, Brand, and Communications Technology
About The Position
The Director, Software Engineering will develop and deploy complex software solutions, focusing on cloud-based engineering, Java technologies, API design, and user experience. The role defines innovative solutions, applies pragmatic application architecture, and works across a varied technology stack. The Director is expected to understand the functional platforms deeply; plan, manage, and execute the technology roadmap; and lead the attraction, hiring, and development of talent. The role also advances platforms, questions the status quo, and collaborates with enterprise teams. The position operates in a fast-paced, Scaled Agile environment with engineers, product owners, and technology stakeholders. It calls for familiarity with modern software development methodologies and the ability to explore technical details and iterate rapidly despite ambiguity. The Director leads a team of 10 or more engineers and owns team performance and talent development processes. The role is part of the Personalization, Brand, and Communications Technology team within U.S. Consumer Services and Membership Digital Experiences Technology. The team brings together customer targeting efforts and connects multiple customer interactions. The job supports American Express’s technology organization, which delivers global capabilities and services while maintaining continuous servicing and availability.
Requirements
- 10 or more years of demonstrable experience building and deploying large-scale software products.
- Extensive background in software engineering.
- Hands-on experience and deep understanding of functional platforms.
- Hands-on technical foundation and ability to engage on coding practices, architecture, design, complex integrated architectures, coding systems, and interface design.
- Strong experience in design and Agile software development, including code reviews for full-stack solutions.
- Hands-on experience with Java, REST APIs, cloud engineering, and building digital experiences.
- Strong understanding and experience in CI/CD, DevOps, and system and platform resiliency.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and concisely to non-technical individuals.
- Hands-on experience with technology planning and roadmapping.
- Proven ability to lead problem analysis and resolution.
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or information systems, or equivalent work experience.
- Eligibility to work in the United States for American Express; the company will not pursue visa sponsorship.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree.
- Knowledge and experience working with LLMs and AI agents, including understanding how AI workflows can enable and accelerate software development.
- Knowledge of American Express marketing and data platforms and software development practices.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to create and deliver effective presentations to executive leadership and technical architects.
- Proven ability to develop and execute against a platform vision, strategy, and priorities.
- Appreciation for elegant solutions to technical challenges.
- Interpersonal skills and ability to partner with executive leadership to advance technical solutions.
- Passion, energy, personal accountability, and desire to lead others to excellence.
Responsibilities
- Assess third-party technology solutions for suitability for use in the emerging platform.
- Collaborate with product owners, designers, and internal technology partners across multiple groups.
- Ensure product releases are high quality, deliver excellent user experiences, perform seamlessly at scale, and comply with regulatory requirements.
- Partner with technology peers to identify opportunities for code sharing, common services, and joint development.
- Keep up with industry research and emerging technologies to ensure new techniques and capabilities are appropriately leveraged.
- Lead a team of 10 or more engineers with accountability, passion, enthusiasm, loyalty, and integrity.
- Own and lead HR processes, including performance reviews and talent development.
- Recruit technical and non-technical talent and build a high-performing, self-managing software engineering team.
- Lead teams in interactive product and software development using lean principles.
- Drive strategic change in tools and processes; question assumptions and the status quo and pursue improvement.
- Plan, manage, and execute the technology roadmap.
- Develop and deploy complex software solutions, including cloud-based solutions, and advance the platforms.
- Engage with coding practices, architecture, design, complex integrated architectures, coding systems, and interface design.
Benefits
- Competitive base salaries.
- Bonus incentives.
- 6% company match on retirement savings plan.
- Free financial coaching and financial well-being support.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits.
- Flexible working model, with hybrid, onsite, or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need.
- 20 or more weeks of paid parental leave for all parents, for pregnancy, adoption, or surrogacy.
- Free access to global onsite wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors, depending on location.
- Free and confidential counseling support through the Healthy Minds program.
- Career development and training opportunities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
