Director, Software Engineering (AI Platform Development) - job 13 of 20

The Director, Software Engineering at Visa plays a crucial role in leading strategic initiatives, particularly within the Payment Fraud Disruption team. Key responsibilities include designing and developing machine learning platforms, driving engineering excellence and the adoption of Generative AI across product portfolios, and partnering with Product teams to influence strategy and prioritize requirements. You will also nurture the engineering team by hiring critical talent, mentoring staff, and building an inclusive team culture.

Candidates for the Director, Software Engineering role at Visa should possess a strong engineering background, expertise in AI and machine learning, and significant leadership experience. A proven track record in software development, especially in preventing and detecting payment fraud, is essential. Additionally, strong skills in strategic planning, project management, and team building are required to effectively lead a multi-disciplinary team and shape impactful solutions.

The Director, Software Engineering position at Visa operates on a hybrid work model, allowing flexibility between remote work and office presence. Employees in this role are expected to work from the office at least three days a week, as determined by leadership, with a general recommendation of being in the office 50% of the time based on business needs. This model is designed to facilitate collaboration while maintaining work-life balance.

The Director of Software Engineering directly influences Visa's capacity to combat payment fraud. By leading initiatives within the Payment Fraud Disruption team, this role is crucial in developing and deploying secure, robust machine learning platforms aimed at detecting and preventing fraud. This contributes significantly to safeguarding Visa's payment systems and enhancing trust in our services.

Visa is committed to career development and growth opportunities for the Director, Software Engineering. You will have the chance to nurture your team while also furthering your own skills through mentorship and leadership experiences. The company's culture emphasizes supporting career progression, providing access to resources, and driving innovation, allowing you to influence the future of payment technology.

During your interview, highlight specific projects where you designed or implemented machine-learning solutions. Discuss the technologies you used, the challenges you faced, and how your contributions improved outcomes. Relate this back to your ability to lead similar initiatives at Visa, showcasing your understanding of both the technical and leadership aspects involved.

In answering this question, emphasize your approach to project management, including the tools or methodologies you utilize. Discuss how you assess urgency and importance, balancing immediate needs with long-term objectives. Provide examples from past experiences that demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to drive teams toward successful outcomes.

Discuss specific initiatives you've led to foster inclusiveness within your teams. This could include mentoring programs, diversity hiring practices, or team-building activities. Illustrate how these strategies have led to increased collaboration and employee satisfaction, which would be vital for the Director role at Visa.

When answering, outline your approach to gathering feedback from stakeholders and team members. Explain how you analyze this feedback, implement changes, and evaluate their effectiveness. Share case studies that showcase your responsiveness and adaptability, which are vital traits for leading the engineering team at Visa.

Talk about the specific project management tools you are familiar with, such as JIRA, Asana, or Trello. Explain how you’ve used these tools to enhance team collaboration, track project progress, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality products. Relate this back to the expectations of managing programs at Visa.

Provide a detailed account of a project where your leadership significantly influenced product strategy. Discuss the decision-making process, how you collaborated with various stakeholders, and the outcomes of your strategic direction. Relate this back to the responsibilities outlined for the Director role at Visa.

In your response, detail your approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing communication and mediation skills. Share specific examples of previous conflicts and how you facilitated resolution while maintaining team dynamics. This illustrates your capability to lead a diverse team effectively at Visa.

Convey your insight into current trends in the payments industry, such as blockchain, AI, and data analytics. Discuss how these technologies can improve payment security and efficiency, and explain your vision for how Visa could incorporate these innovations in its strategies.

Articulate your leadership philosophy, whether it’s transformational, situational, or servant leadership. Provide examples of how your style has positively impacted team performance and growth. Tailor your response to align with Visa's leadership principles to showcase your fit for the culture.

Express your enthusiasm for Visa's mission and the significant role of technology in the payments industry. Share your alignment with Visa's values and how your skills can contribute to the company's goals, particularly in fraud prevention and payment innovations.