Director of Software Engineering - Payments Technology

Location: Tampa, FL, United States

Job Family: Software Engineering

About the Role

At JP Morgan Chase, we are at the forefront of financial innovation, and our Payments Technology team plays a pivotal role in powering seamless, secure global transactions for millions of customers. As the Director of Software Engineering - Payments Technology in Tampa, FL, you will lead a dynamic team of engineers responsible for building and maintaining cutting-edge systems that handle everything from real-time domestic payments to complex cross-border settlements. This role demands a strategic visionary who can drive technical excellence while navigating the stringent regulatory environment of the financial services industry. You will report to senior technology leadership and collaborate across Chase's vast ecosystem to deliver solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and mitigate risks in our payments infrastructure. In this leadership position, you will architect scalable, resilient software platforms using modern technologies like cloud computing and containerization, ensuring they integrate seamlessly with JP Morgan Chase's core banking systems. Your decisions will directly impact the reliability of high-volume transaction processing, where downtime is not an option. You will foster innovation by exploring emerging trends such as blockchain for payments and AI-driven fraud detection, all while adhering to compliance standards like PCI-DSS and anti-money laundering regulations. Mentoring your team to uphold best practices in code quality, testing, and deployment will be key to maintaining our reputation as a trusted financial leader. Joining JP Morgan Chase means becoming part of a global powerhouse committed to ethical innovation and employee growth. In Tampa, you'll benefit from a collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives and offers opportunities to influence firm-wide initiatives. This role is ideal for a seasoned engineering leader passionate about transforming the future of payments, with the chance to make a tangible impact on how the world moves money securely and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team of software engineers in designing, developing, and deploying innovative payment technology solutions that support JP Morgan Chase's global transaction processing
• Serve as the primary technical decision-maker for your area, balancing innovation with regulatory compliance and risk mitigation in financial services
• Drive the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as cloud-native architectures, microservices, and AI/ML to enhance payment efficiency and security
• Collaborate with product managers, data scientists, and business leaders to align engineering efforts with strategic goals in the payments domain
• Mentor and develop engineering talent, fostering a culture of continuous learning and high performance within JP Morgan Chase's engineering community
• Oversee the full software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering to production deployment and monitoring, ensuring scalability for high-volume financial transactions
• Identify and mitigate technical risks, conducting code reviews and implementing best practices for secure, reliable systems
• Contribute to firm-wide initiatives, such as digital transformation projects, to innovate in areas like real-time payments and cross-border transactions
• Monitor industry trends in fintech and payments to recommend and implement forward-looking solutions
• Prepare and present technical roadmaps and progress reports to senior leadership at JP Morgan Chase

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; advanced 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, particularly in payments or transaction processing
• Deep expertise in cloud technologies (e.g., AWS, Azure) and modern development practices such as Agile and DevOps
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance in financial systems, including PCI-DSS, GDPR, and SOX
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in high-stakes environments with a focus on innovation and risk management
• Excellent communication skills to interface with senior stakeholders and influence technical decisions

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or MBA in a technology or finance-related field
• Prior experience at a major financial institution like JP Morgan Chase or similar
• Certification in payments technologies (e.g., ISO 20022, SWIFT standards)
• Background in real-time payment systems or blockchain-based financial solutions
• Demonstrated success in scaling engineering teams in a global, matrixed organization

Required Skills

• Proficiency in Java, Python, or C++ for backend development
• Expertise in distributed systems and microservices architecture
• Knowledge of database technologies like SQL, NoSQL, and Oracle
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and tools like Jenkins, Git, and Docker
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles in financial applications
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS or Google Cloud
• Agile methodologies and scrum master experience
• Data structures, algorithms, and software design patterns
• Leadership and team management skills
• Problem-solving in high-pressure, time-sensitive environments
• Communication and stakeholder management
• Knowledge of payments protocols (e.g., ACH, SWIFT, SEPA)
• Experience with API design and integration in fintech ecosystems
• Analytical skills for performance optimization and troubleshooting
• Adaptability to evolving regulatory landscapes in banking

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous company matching
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement and access to internal training programs
• Employee stock purchase plan and equity grants
• Wellness programs, including gym memberships and mental health support
• Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid options in Tampa, FL

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.