Director of Software Engineering

Location: LONDON, United Kingdom

Job Family: Software Engineering

About the Role

As the Director of Software Engineering at JP Morgan Chase in London, you will spearhead innovation and solution delivery within a critical technical domain, acting as the primary decision-maker for your high-performing teams. In this pivotal role, you will lead the development of sophisticated software solutions that power our global financial services, from investment banking platforms to risk management systems. Your leadership will ensure that our engineering efforts align with JP Morgan Chase's commitment to technological excellence, regulatory compliance, and client-centric innovation in a dynamic fintech landscape. Collaborating with executive stakeholders, you will drive strategic initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and support sustainable growth in areas like digital assets and real-time trading. Reporting to senior technology leadership, you will oversee a team of talented engineers, fostering an environment of continuous learning and agile execution. Responsibilities include architecting scalable, secure systems that handle massive transaction volumes while adhering to stringent financial regulations such as GDPR and Basel III. You will champion the adoption of emerging technologies like AI and cloud-native architectures to solve complex challenges in fraud detection, portfolio optimization, and customer experience enhancement. By mentoring team members and promoting best practices in DevOps and CI/CD, you will build resilient teams capable of delivering mission-critical solutions that underpin JP Morgan Chase's position as a leader in global finance. This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on one of the world's largest financial institutions, where your expertise in software engineering will directly contribute to innovative products that serve millions of clients. Based in our state-of-the-art London office, you will thrive in a collaborative, inclusive culture that values diversity and professional growth. Join JP Morgan Chase to shape the future of finance through cutting-edge technology and bold leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of software engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence in developing solutions for JP Morgan Chase's financial products
• Serve as the primary decision-maker for technical architecture, ensuring alignment with business goals, regulatory requirements, and risk frameworks in the banking sector
• Drive the end-to-end delivery of software projects, from ideation to deployment, utilizing agile practices to meet deadlines in a fast-paced financial environment
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, data scientists, and compliance experts, to integrate cutting-edge technologies like AI and blockchain into core banking systems
• Identify and mitigate technical risks, ensuring robust, secure, and scalable systems that support high-volume transactions and global market operations
• Champion best practices in software engineering, including code reviews, testing strategies, and DevOps automation to enhance efficiency and reliability
• Provide strategic input on technology roadmaps, influencing JP Morgan Chase's broader digital strategy in areas like sustainable finance and client-facing platforms
• Monitor industry trends in fintech and cybersecurity, adapting team strategies to maintain competitive advantage in the financial services landscape
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and professional development within the team, preparing engineers for evolving challenges in global finance

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 delivering complex software solutions in the financial services industry, including experience with regulatory compliance and risk management
• Deep expertise in modern software development practices, including agile methodologies, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud-native architectures
• Strong understanding of financial technologies such as trading systems, payment processing, or data analytics platforms
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in a global environment, with a focus on innovation and scalable solution delivery
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and make data-driven decisions

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced certifications in cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) or financial regulations (e.g., GDPR, MiFID II)
• Prior experience at a major financial institution, ideally in investment banking or asset management
• Demonstrated success in driving digital transformation initiatives within fintech environments
• Knowledge of machine learning applications in fraud detection or algorithmic trading
• MBA or equivalent business acumen to align technical strategies with commercial objectives

Required Skills

• Proficiency in Java, Python, or C++ for building high-performance financial applications
• Expertise in cloud computing platforms such as AWS or Google Cloud, with focus on secure, compliant deployments
• Strong knowledge of microservices architecture, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and API design
• Experience with database technologies including SQL/NoSQL for handling large-scale financial data
• Familiarity with cybersecurity principles and tools for protecting sensitive banking information
• Agile and Scrum methodologies for team leadership and project management
• Data analytics and visualization skills using tools like Tableau or Splunk for performance monitoring
• Machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow) for AI-driven financial solutions
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical thinking in complex, high-stakes environments
• Leadership and team-building abilities to motivate diverse, global engineering teams
• Communication skills for presenting technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Adaptability to regulatory changes in the financial services industry
• Project management expertise using tools like Jira or Confluence
• Understanding of DevOps practices for continuous integration and delivery

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses aligned with JP Morgan Chase's financial success
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for employees and eligible dependents
• Generous retirement savings plan with company matching contributions up to 6% of eligible pay
• Paid time off including 25+ vacation days, parental leave, and flexible working arrangements
• Professional development opportunities through internal training programs and tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees
• Employee stock purchase plan and access to exclusive financial wellness resources
• Global mobility support for international assignments, including relocation assistance to London
• Wellness programs featuring gym memberships, mental health support, and onsite facilities at JP Morgan Chase offices

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.