Chief Software Engineer - job 1 of 28

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

Job Summary: Visa is seeking an accomplished and passionate Chief Software Engineer to lead the engineering and architectural efforts for our highly scalable and available distributed systems. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the payments domain, including expertise in EMV, 3DS, Identity, Biometrics, and other payment-specific technologies. This role requires a strategic thinker who can drive projects from inception through to delivery, ensuring alignment with business goals and technological excellence. The Chief Software Engineer will engage with multiple stakeholders, including business, product, legal, and security architecture teams, and will regularly interface with the leadership team to communicate the vision and strategic direction of projects. A key focus will be on leveraging generative AI to enhance developer and resource efficiency. This role demands a technically skilled, driven, and passionate individual with a strong grasp of cloud and hybrid cloud strategies.

Essential Functions
Leadership & Strategy:
•  Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for the engineering and architecture of highly scalable and available distributed systems.
•  Develop and drive technical solutions that align with Visa’s business objectives, ensuring scalability, reliability, and security.

Project Management:
• Lead projects from concept to completion, including solutioning, technical architecture, and delivery.
•  Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.
•  Interface with leadership to appraise the vision, strategic direction, and planning of projects.

Collaboration & Communication:
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including business, product management, legal, and security architecture, to ensure cohesive and comprehensive solutions.
• Act as a liaison between technical teams and leadership, effectively communicating technical strategies and project progress.

Efficiency & Innovation:
• Focus on improving developer and resource efficiency by leveraging generative AI and other innovative technologies.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in the payment’s domain and related technologies, incorporating best practices and new methodologies into the engineering processes.

Mentorship & Development:
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Champion the professional development of team members, encouraging learning and growth.

This is a hybrid position. Hybrid employees can alternate time between both remote and office. Employees in hybrid roles are expected to work from the office 2-3 set days a week (determined by leadership/site), with a general guidepost of being in the office 50% or more of the time based on business needs.

Basic Qualifications
12+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 9 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 6 years of work experience with a PhD, OR 15+ years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications
15 or more years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 12 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, or MD), PhD with 9+ years of experience
Master's degree in Math, Science, Engineering, or Computer Science, Information Systems or related field AND minimum seven (7) years experience
OR Bachelor's degree in Math, Science, Engineering, or AND minimum nine (9) years experience
OR Minimum twelve (12) years of experience.

Professional Experience:
• Extensive experience in software engineering and architectural design for highly scalable and always-on distributed systems.
• Proven expertise in the payment’s domain, with in-depth knowledge of EMV, e-commerce, Identity, 3DS, and other payment technologies.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and delivering complex projects from concept to deployment.
• Proficiency in agile development methodologies and practices

Technical Skills:
• Deep technical knowledge in cloud and hybrid cloud strategies.
• Proficiency in leveraging generative AI to enhance development processes and resource efficiency.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving aptitude.

Leadership & Communication:
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire and lead cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders: clients, Account Managers, Business/Products, etc.
• Ability to interface effectively with senior leadership, providing clear and concise updates on project vision and progress.

Preferred Skills:
• Experience with Visa’s (or other payment brand's) products and services.
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements in the payments industry.

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting.  The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.  Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is 204,500.00 to 296,700.00 USD per year, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.