Director of Software Engineering- Core

Location: Jersey City, NJ, United States

Job Family: Software Engineering

About the Role

As the Director of Software Engineering - Core at JP Morgan Chase, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the technological backbone of one of the world's leading financial institutions. Based in our state-of-the-art Jersey City, NJ office, this executive leadership position demands a unique blend of strategic foresight and deep technical acumen. You will oversee the development of mission-critical systems that power core banking operations, including transaction processing, risk management, and client data platforms. In this hands-on role, you will architect resilient, scalable solutions that comply with stringent regulatory standards while driving innovation to enhance our competitive edge in the global financial services market. Collaborating with C-suite executives and cross-functional teams, you will ensure our engineering efforts align with JP Morgan's commitment to digital transformation and client-centric services. Your leadership will extend to managing a high-performing team of engineers, where you will foster a culture of excellence, continuous learning, and agile delivery. Responsibilities include defining technical roadmaps, conducting code reviews, and integrating cutting-edge technologies like cloud-native architectures and AI-driven analytics into our core systems. At JP Morgan Chase, we value leaders who can navigate the complexities of financial technology, from high-volume data processing to secure API integrations, all while mitigating risks in a highly regulated environment. This role offers the opportunity to influence enterprise-wide initiatives that impact millions of clients and trillions in assets under management. Joining JP Morgan Chase means becoming part of a dynamic organization renowned for its innovation in finance. We provide robust support for your professional growth, including access to world-class resources and a collaborative community of experts. If you are a visionary engineer with a passion for financial services and a proven ability to deliver results, this position will allow you to lead transformative projects that redefine banking efficiency and security.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of core software engineering solutions that support JP Morgan Chase's banking platforms and client services
• Provide strategic vision for the engineering roadmap, ensuring alignment with business objectives in areas like digital banking and risk analytics
• Mentor and manage a team of 20+ software engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence
• Architect scalable, secure systems that handle high-frequency trading, payment processing, and data-intensive financial operations
• Collaborate with product managers, data scientists, and compliance teams to integrate regulatory requirements into software architectures
• Drive hands-on coding and technical reviews for critical components, ensuring code quality and performance in production environments
• Identify and implement emerging technologies to enhance core systems, such as microservices, containerization, and AI-driven automation
• Oversee budgeting, resource allocation, and performance metrics for engineering projects within the Core division
• Champion best practices in software security and resilience, mitigating risks in a highly regulated financial landscape
• Present technical strategies and project updates to senior executives and stakeholders at JP Morgan Chase

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; Master's degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing engineering teams
• Proven track record in designing and architecting scalable software systems in the financial services industry
• Deep expertise in full-stack development, including Java, Python, or similar languages, and cloud platforms like AWS or Azure
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in agile environments, with a focus on delivering high-impact projects under regulatory constraints
• Strong understanding of financial technologies, including core banking systems, risk management, and compliance standards such as GDPR and SOX
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop senior engineers while driving strategic technical initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced certifications in cloud architecture (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect) or financial tech (e.g., CFA Level I)
• Experience with big data technologies like Hadoop, Spark, or Kafka in high-volume transaction processing
• Prior leadership in fintech innovation projects, such as AI/ML integration for fraud detection or blockchain applications
• MBA or equivalent business acumen to align engineering strategies with JP Morgan's commercial banking goals
• Hands-on experience with DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines in a regulated financial environment

Required Skills

• Expertise in Java, Python, or C++ for backend development
• Proficiency in cloud computing platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
• Strong knowledge of database systems including SQL (e.g., Oracle, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB)
• Experience with microservices architecture and container orchestration (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
• Familiarity with DevOps tools such as Jenkins, Git, and Terraform for CI/CD pipelines
• Understanding of financial protocols and APIs (e.g., FIX, SWIFT for payments and trading)
• Skills in data analytics and big data tools like Apache Spark or Hadoop
• Leadership and team management abilities in agile and scrum methodologies
• Problem-solving and strategic thinking for complex, high-stakes projects
• Communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and executive presentations
• Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices and compliance frameworks in finance
• Hands-on experience with AI/ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow) for financial applications
• Project management proficiency using tools like Jira or Confluence
• Adaptability to fast-paced, regulated environments
• Mentoring and coaching skills for technical talent development

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses tied to firm and individual contributions
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans with low employee premiums
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous company matching up to 6% of eligible compensation
• Paid time off including vacation, sick days, and parental leave, plus firm-wide holidays
• Professional development opportunities through JP Morgan's internal training programs and tuition reimbursement
• Wellness programs including gym memberships, mental health support, and onsite fitness facilities in Jersey City
• Employee stock purchase plan and access to financial planning services
• Relocation assistance for eligible candidates moving to the Jersey City area

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.