Sr Director of Software Engineering (Data Platforms)

Location: Palo Alto, CA, United States

Job Family: Software Engineering

About the Role

At JP Morgan Chase, we are at the forefront of financial innovation, leveraging cutting-edge data platforms to power everything from global trading operations to personalized client services. As the Sr Director of Software Engineering (Data Platforms) in our Palo Alto office, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the technological backbone of our firm. This leadership position involves directing multiple technical areas, managing the activities of several engineering departments, and fostering collaboration across diverse technical domains to deliver robust, scalable data solutions that drive business growth and ensure regulatory compliance in the dynamic financial services industry. In this role, you will lead a team of elite engineers in designing and implementing advanced data platforms that handle petabyte-scale financial datasets, integrate real-time analytics, and support AI-driven insights for risk management and investment strategies. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including data scientists, compliance experts, and business leaders, to align engineering efforts with JP Morgan's strategic priorities, such as enhancing cybersecurity and optimizing cloud-based infrastructures. Your expertise will be crucial in navigating the complexities of financial regulations like SOX and GDPR, while innovating with technologies such as Apache Spark, Kafka, and cloud-native services on AWS or Azure to maintain our competitive edge in a fast-evolving market. We seek a visionary leader passionate about technology's role in finance, with a proven ability to inspire teams and deliver results in high-stakes environments. This position offers the opportunity to influence JP Morgan Chase's data strategy on a global scale, contributing to initiatives that impact millions of clients and trillions in assets. Join us in Palo Alto, where you'll thrive in a collaborative culture that values innovation, diversity, and excellence, all while enjoying the vibrant tech ecosystem of Silicon Valley.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and direct multiple technical areas within JP Morgan Chase's Data Platforms organization, overseeing the development and maintenance of scalable data infrastructure
• Manage the activities of several engineering departments, including hiring, mentoring, and performance evaluation of senior engineers and team leads
• Collaborate across technical domains with stakeholders in risk management, compliance, and trading to align data platforms with business objectives
• Drive the architecture and implementation of next-generation data platforms supporting real-time financial analytics and machine learning models
• Ensure adherence to financial industry regulations and internal security protocols in all data engineering projects
• Oversee budget allocation and resource planning for data platform initiatives, optimizing for cost-efficiency in a global banking environment
• Foster innovation by integrating emerging technologies like big data tools and cloud-native services into JP Morgan's financial data ecosystem
• Partner with executive leadership to define strategic roadmaps for data platforms that enhance operational resilience and client services
• Monitor and report on key performance metrics for data systems, addressing bottlenecks to support high-volume transaction processing

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; Master's degree preferred
• 15+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, with at least 8 years in leadership roles managing engineering teams
• Proven track record of leading data platform initiatives in a financial services environment, including experience with large-scale data infrastructure
• Deep expertise in cloud computing platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, with a focus on data-intensive applications
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance in finance, including GDPR, SOX, and data privacy standards
• Experience managing budgets and resources for multi-departmental technical projects exceeding $10M annually
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation in data platforms while ensuring scalability and security in high-stakes financial operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MBA or PhD) with a focus on technology management or data science
• Prior experience at a major financial institution, such as leading data engineering teams at a bank or fintech company
• Certification in cloud architecture (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect) or data management (e.g., CDMP)
• Hands-on experience with AI/ML integration in data platforms for financial analytics
• Background in agile methodologies and DevOps practices tailored to regulated industries

Required Skills

• Leadership and team management in technical environments
• Strategic planning for data platforms
• Cloud architecture and deployment (AWS, Azure)
• Big data technologies (Hadoop, Spark, Kafka)
• Database design and optimization (SQL, NoSQL)
• Financial regulatory compliance knowledge
• Agile and DevOps methodologies
• AI/ML integration for data analytics
• Cross-functional collaboration and communication
• Budgeting and project management
• Problem-solving in high-pressure financial settings
• Innovation in scalable software systems
• Risk assessment for data security
• Stakeholder engagement in enterprise settings
• Mentoring and talent development

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses tied to firm-wide and individual achievements
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans with employer contributions
• 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 policies
• Professional development opportunities through JP Morgan's internal training programs and tuition reimbursement
• Employee stock purchase plan and access to financial wellness resources
• Wellness programs including gym memberships, mental health support, and onsite fitness facilities in Palo Alto
• Relocation assistance for eligible candidates moving to the Palo Alto area

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.