VP, Application Development

PennyMac • Westlake Village, CA

73d • $110,000 - $170,000

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Director, Application Development to lead the development of next-generation Communication Platforms at Pennymac. This role will manage and mentor a talented team of application developers building robust, scalable, and highly available systems. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in real-time communications and open-source tools like FreeSWITCH, with proven experience delivering enterprise-grade software solutions integrated with platforms such as ZenDesk, ServiceNow, Five9, Zoom, and CallMiner. You will guide the design, development, and deployment of VOIP/SIP systems, real-time APIs, and customer engagement platforms, driving innovation while ensuring quality, reliability, and performance. This will be hands on role that requires fluency in coding while managing a team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or 3+ years equivalent experience).
• 8+ years of software engineering experience, including 3+ years in technical leadership roles.
• Proven success leading teams building real-time communication or VOIP-based applications.
• Hands-on experience with backend development (Go, Python, Node.js) and front-end frameworks (React, TypeScript, JavaScript).
• Strong understanding of API design, microservices, and distributed systems.
• Experience working with FreeSWITCH and SIP protocols.
• Experience with Zoom, ZenDesk, Five9, CallMiner or similar communication platforms.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS preferred).
• Experience with DevOps pipelines and Git-based workflows.
• Knowledge of networking protocols (SIP, RTP, TCP/IP, DTMF, QoS).
• Knowledge of NoSQL databases (MongoDB).
• Knowledge of container orchestration (Kubernetes), Docker.
• Knowledge of infrastructure as code (Chef, AWS CDK, Troposphere).
• Knowledge of authentication protocols (OAuth2).
• Familiarity with Agile and SCRUM methodologies.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a demonstrated ability to work across teams and drive results.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with FreeSWITCH module development or customization.
• Familiarity with packet analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark).
• Prior experience with SMS, contact center, or CRM integrations.
• Linux systems administration and scripting with Bash/Python.
• Background in speech analytics, AI-driven call classification, or real-time transcription.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers focused on communication technologies and full-stack development.
• Set technical direction and ensure adoption of best practices in architecture, security, DevOps, and software delivery.
• Champion a high-performance, agile development culture aligned with Pennymac's values and technology strategy.
• Oversee development of complex, enterprise-transforming communication applications using modern tech stacks.
• Drive the integration of communication platforms (e.g., Zoom, Five9, ZenDesk, CallMiner) with internal systems.
• Ensure the design and stability of VOIP infrastructure, including SIP servers and FreeSWITCH deployments.
• Promote the use of design patterns, event-driven architecture, unit testing, and clean code principles across the team.
• Architect scalable, secure, and cloud-native solutions leveraging containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure-as-code (e.g., Chef, AWS CDK, Troposphere).
• Guide incident response and troubleshooting of high-impact production issues with composure and technical depth.
• Foster observability, monitoring, and performance tuning practices in VOIP and application environments.
• Work cross-functionally with business stakeholders, Product, QA, and IT to ensure applications deliver measurable business value.
• Translate business needs into clear technical goals, balancing short-term delivery with long-term maintainability.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision.
• Paid Time Off Programs including vacation, holidays, illness, and parental leave.
• Wellness Programs, Employee Recognition Programs, and onsite gyms and cafe style dining (select locations).
• Retirement benefits, life insurance, 401k match, and tuition reimbursement.
• Philanthropy Programs including matching gifts, volunteer grants, charitable grants and corporate sponsorships.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Credit Intermediation and Related Activities
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree