Director, Software Engineering

Mastercard • Arlington, VA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Mastercard’s Data Analytics and AI Program is seeking a Director, Software Engineering to lead the design and delivery of full-stack applications and data platforms within a fast-paced, agile environment. This leader will partner closely with product, data, and business stakeholders to deliver scalable, high-quality solutions that generate measurable customer and business impact. As part of the Services Technology organization, the Data Analytics and AI program is a strategically critical and rapidly evolving initiative, delivering a portfolio of products across Portfolio Optimization, Merchant & Customer Ad Insights, and Location Insights. This is a high-growth area where data, AI, and engineering converge to unlock next-generation capabilities for Mastercard and its customers. This is a hybrid role based in Arlington, VA or O’Fallon, MO, requiring three days per week onsite. You will lead a global organization of ~25 team members, including 4–5 direct reports, spanning the US, India, and Europe, with significant emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder management, and global execution.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Software Engineering Manager or Director in an agile, production-scale environment.
• Experience leading multiple engineering teams and developing engineering leaders in a global, distributed setup.
• Strong track record of defining architecture, design, and delivery of large-scale, multi-team systems.
• Hands-on familiarity with full-stack, data, and cloud technologies such as Databricks, AWS, Airflow, .NET/C#, Java, Spring Boot, React, Redux, TypeScript, SQL Server, Python, Spark, Hive, Impala, NiFi, Sqoop, or similar.
• Strong technical foundation with ability to quickly learn and adopt new technologies.
• Relentless focus on customer value, business outcomes, and delivery excellence.
• Experience improving engineering organizations, structures, and delivery processes at scale.
• Ability to influence across teams, functions, and geographies to drive technical alignment.
• Proven success leading distributed global teams across multiple regions.
• Strong understanding of SDLC methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe) and when to apply them.
• Proven ability to build, mentor, and retain high-performing engineering leaders.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to influence executive, business, and technical stakeholders.
• Strong analytical thinking and decision-making capabilities in ambiguous and complex environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field, or equivalent practical experience.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive end-to-end technology and product strategy across applications, architectures, and engineering practices.
• Architect, build, and scale complex, distributed systems across multiple engineering teams.
• Champion improvements in developer experience, engineering tooling, and best practices, including the adoption of AI to improve productivity and engineering effectiveness.
• Partner closely with Product Management to shape and execute product and technology roadmaps.
• Lead, coach, and develop engineers and engineering managers across global, cross-functional teams.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks in collaboration with senior technology leaders.
• Drive modernization of platforms with a focus on scalability, security, reliability, and performance.
• Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous technical learning.
• Set high standards for engineering excellence and elevate team performance.
• Navigate complex cross-team dependencies and drive alignment across stakeholders.
• Promote agile ways of working and enable teams to adapt quickly to changing priorities and insights.
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders on technology direction and product decisions.
• Anticipate and plan for future scaling needs aligned with business growth and customer demand.

Benefits

• insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance)
• flexible spending account and health savings account
• 16 weeks of new parent leave
• up to 20 days of bereavement leave
• 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time
• 25 days of vacation time
• 5 personal days
• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director