
Director, Software Engineering
Visa · Austin, TX
- On site
- Full-time
- $243,000 / year
- Austin, TX

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Fully remote work, hiring this week. Mercor's average is $124/hr.
Job highlights
- Lead software engineering teams at a global payments leader.
- Design and build systems impacting billions worldwide.
- Solve complex challenges in payments technology and security.
- Collaborate on innovative payment solutions and platforms.
- Develop and mentor high-caliber engineering talent.
About the role
About Us
Visa is a world leader in payments technology, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories, dedicated to uplifting everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.
At Visa, you’ll have the opportunity to create impact at scale — tackling meaningful challenges, growing your skills and seeing your contributions impact lives around the world.
Join Visa and do work that matters – to you, to your community, and to the world. Progress starts with you.
Job Description
Visa’s Technology Organization is a community of problem solvers and innovators reshaping the future of commerce. We operate the world’s most sophisticated processing networks capable of handling more than 65k secure transactions a second across 80M merchants, 15k Financial Institutions, and billions of everyday people. While working with us you’ll get to work on complex distributed systems and solve massive scale problems centered on new payment flows, business and data solutions, cyber security, and B2C platforms.
We are looking for Versatile, curious, and energetic Software Engineers who embrace solving complex challenges on a global scale. As a Visa Software Engineer, you will be an integral part of a multi-functional development team inventing, designing, building, and testing software products that reach a truly global customer base. While building components of powerful payment technology, you will get to see your efforts shaping the digital future of monetary transactions.
The Work Itself
- Design code and systems that touch 40% of the world population while influencing Visa’s internal standards for scalability, security, and reusability
- Collaborate multi-functionally to create design artifacts and develop best-in-class software solutions for multiple Visa technical offerings
- Actively contribute to product quality improvements, valuable service technology, and new business flows in diverse agile squads
- Develop robust and scalable products intended for a myriad of customers including end-user merchants, b2b, and business to government solutions.
- Leverage innovative technologies to build the next generation of Payment Services, Transaction Platforms, Real-Time Payments, and Buy Now Pay Later Technology
- Opportunities to make a difference on a global or local scale through mentorship and continued learning opportunities
Essential Functions
- Aligns enhancements and modifications to existing software coding standard processes and design specifications, across regions, and ensures they are aligned with current security standards.
- Guides the implementation of automation to improve effectiveness and efficiencies of systems and tools across regions and supports development and implementation of new automation, identifying where investment will yield the greatest efficiencies.
- Maintains communication with regional leadership across functions to monitor and direct the cadence of code reviews, on-call rotations, and incident responses throughout product development and operations cycles.
- Leverages back-end technical expertise on underlying systems/platforms across the organization to lead the development systematic improvements in processes to ensure the fulfillment of customer/business objectives.
This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your hiring manager. Visa requires at least 3 days in office, expectations of these days will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
- 10+ years of relevant work experience and a Bachelors degree, OR 13+ years of relevant work experience
Preferred Qualifications
- 12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 8-10 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 6+ years of work experience with a PhD
- Experience in commercial software development on Unix/Linux environment.
- Experience in Security engineering and API Gateway development.
- Experience in Java/J2EE technologies, Containers, Kubernetes and database technologies
- 3+ years of experience leading product development and delivery using multiple technologies - Java/J2EE, Vert.x, Spring MVC, Spring Boot, React, JavaScript, SQL, Maven, Rest, design patterns, test automation frameworks
- Understanding of architecture and operations of highly available and scalable transactional systems
- Domain knowledge of Security engineering, IAM and Authentication patterns and frameworks
- Experienced in using Gen AI tools and strong understanding of Agentic solutions.
- Strong experience with agile methodologies & software development lifecycle principles
- Excel in partnering with Product leaders and technical product managers on requirements, helping define joint product/technology roadmaps & driving prioritization
- Driving continuous improvements to processes/tools for better developer efficiency and productivity
- Demonstrated ability to drive measurable improvements across engineering, delivery and performance metrics
- Demonstrated ability to hire, develop and retain high-caliber talent
- Excellent problem solving and analytics skills. Capable of forming and advocating an independent viewpoint
- Strong collaboration and effective communication, with focus on win-win outcomes
- Payments industry experience is a plus
The Skills You Bring
- Energy and Experience: A growth mindset that is curious and passionate about technologies and enjoys challenging projects on a global scale
- Challenge the Status Quo: Comfort in pushing the boundaries, ‘hacking’ beyond traditional solutions
- Language Expertise: Expertise in one or more general development languages (e.g., Java, C#, C++)
- Builder: Experience building and deploying modern services and web applications with quality and scalability
- Learner: Constant drive to learn new technologies such as Angular, React, Kubernetes, Docker, etc.
- Partnership: Experience collaborating with Product, Test, Dev-ops, and Agile/Scrum teams
U.S. Applicants Only
The estimated salary range for this position is $186,800.00 to $ 299,200.00 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.
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 protect veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.
Key skills/competency
- Director of Software Engineering
- Software Development
- System Design
- Scalability
- Security Engineering
- API Gateway
- Java/J2EE
- Kubernetes
- Agile Methodologies
- Product Development
Skills & topics
- Director of Software Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Payments Technology
- System Design
- Scalability
- Security Engineering
- API Gateway
- Java
- J2EE
- Kubernetes
- Agile
- Product Development
- Leadership
- Unix
- Linux
- Gen AI
- IAM
- Authentication
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in commercial software development, security engineering, API Gateways, and Java/J2EE technologies to match Visa's preferred qualifications.
- Showcase leadership: Emphasize your experience leading product development, driving continuous improvements, and your ability to hire and retain talent.
- Quantify achievements: Provide specific examples of measurable improvements in engineering, delivery, and performance metrics to demonstrate your impact.
- Prepare for technical and behavioral interviews: Be ready to discuss your experience with scalable transactional systems, agile methodologies, and problem-solving skills.
- Understand Visa's culture: Research Visa's commitment to innovation, security, and global impact to align your responses with their values.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the work arrangement for the Director of Software Engineering role at Visa?
- This is a hybrid position at Visa, requiring at least 3 days in the office per week. Specific expectations regarding in-office days will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.
- What are the key technical skills required for the Director of Software Engineering at Visa?
- The role requires extensive experience in commercial software development, particularly on Unix/Linux environments. Key technical skills include Java/J2EE, Containers, Kubernetes, database technologies, Security engineering, and API Gateway development. Familiarity with modern web application development and test automation frameworks is also essential.
- Does Visa offer opportunities for professional growth and development for a Director of Software Engineering?
- Yes, Visa emphasizes continuous learning and offers opportunities to develop new technologies. The role itself involves shaping the digital future of monetary transactions and provides chances for mentorship and continued learning on a global scale.
- What is the typical salary range for a Director of Software Engineering at Visa in the U.S.?
- The estimated annual salary range for this position is between $186,800.00 and $299,200.00 USD. This may include potential sales incentive payments, and the actual salary can vary based on factors like knowledge, skills, experience, and location. The role may also be eligible for bonus and equity.
- How does Visa approach the software development lifecycle for its products?
- Visa utilizes agile methodologies and software development lifecycle principles. The Director of Software Engineering is expected to have strong experience in these areas, collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive product development and delivery effectively.
- What is Visa's stance on diversity and inclusion for the Director of Software Engineering role?
- Visa is an EEO Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. 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. They also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with EEOC guidelines.
- What is the expected travel frequency for the Director of Software Engineering position at Visa?