Director, Software Engineering (AI Platform Development) - job 17 of 20

As the Director of Software Engineering at Visa, your core responsibilities will include leading the Payment Fraud Disruption team to develop systems that detect and prevent fraud, designing and deploying secure machine learning platforms, and ensuring excellence across the software development life cycle (SSDLC). You will also partner with product teams to influence product strategy and drive the adoption of generative AI across the portfolio.

To thrive as a Director of Software Engineering at Visa, candidates should possess a strong engineering background, preferably in software engineering, AI, or machine learning. Experience in the payments industry or a related field is a plus. Additionally, proven leadership capabilities, such as team management, mentoring, and fostering an inclusive culture, are essential for this role.

The Director of Software Engineering role at Visa adopts a hybrid work model allowing flexibility between remote and office work. Employees in this position are expected to work in the office three set days a week, promoting collaboration and team engagement while still accommodating remote work depending on business needs.

Visa fosters a culture of ownership, accountability, and diversity within its Engineering teams. As a Director of Software Engineering, you will be responsible for nurturing this team culture, focusing on hiring critical talent, driving retention, and creating an inclusive environment that empowers team members to grow and succeed.

As the Director of Software Engineering at Visa, you will play a critical role in driving strategic impact by delivering fit-for-purpose products with accelerated time to market. Your leadership and innovative solutions in fraud prevention will enhance the security of Visa's payment systems, protecting millions of transactions and shaping the future of payment technology.

Highlight your leadership experience by discussing specific teams you've led, the size of the teams, and the key projects you oversaw. Focus on how you motivated your team, addressed challenges, and fostered a collaborative environment, particularly in AI or fraud-related projects, which align closely with Visa's goals.

Outline your approach to developing machine learning platforms, emphasizing your understanding of secure deployment, robustness, and interoperability. Discuss methodologies you’ve employed, metrics for success, and how you ensure the team stays abreast of new technologies in AI and machine learning.

Explain your strategies for driving engineering excellence, such as implementing best practices in the software development life cycle, encouraging continuous improvement, and utilizing feedback mechanisms. Provide examples of initiatives you’ve launched that enhanced overall team performance and quality of deliverables.

Discuss how you would collaborate with product teams to gather user insights and market trends, using data-driven decision-making to influence product strategy effectively. Share examples of successful collaborations in previous roles that lead to impactful product developments.

Share your conflict resolution style, providing examples of past challenges and how you facilitated solutions. Emphasize the importance of open communication, empathy, and maintaining an inclusive culture, which are essential in a collaborative environment like Visa.

Explain how mentoring is vital for team growth and retention. Share specific approaches you've implemented to mentor team members effectively, such as setting up shadowing programs, regular one-on-ones, or skill development workshops that focus on innovation and leadership.

Discuss your methods for staying informed about AI and machine learning trends, whether through professional organizations, continuous education, or attending conferences. Mention specific resources or communities that have influenced your professional development.

Provide a concise overview of a specific project where AI was implemented, focusing on the problem it addressed, the technologies used, and the outcomes achieved. Highlight your role in steering the project and the lessons learned that could benefit Visa.

Discuss the pivotal role technology plays in combating payment fraud, touching upon advancements in machine learning, data analytics, and real-time detection systems. Frame your response around Visa’s initiatives and how you envision contributing to these efforts as a Director of Software Engineering.

Share your personal motivations for joining the payments industry, perhaps noting its influence on global commerce, the opportunities for innovation, and your desire to contribute to secure, responsible payment practices that empower businesses and consumers alike.