Director, Software Engineering (AI Platform Development) - job 19 of 20

As a Director of Software Engineering at Visa, you'll be responsible for leading strategic initiatives focused on Payment Fraud Disruption. This includes designing and developing machine learning platforms, influencing product strategy and roadmaps, leading a multidisciplinary team, and fostering an inclusive culture while driving engineering excellence across the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

Candidates for the Director, Software Engineering role at Visa should possess a strong engineering background along with leadership experience, particularly in the payments sector or related fields. A solid understanding of machine learning technologies and their application in fraud prevention is crucial, as well as demonstrated experience in managing teams and developing talent.

The hybrid work model for the Director of Software Engineering position at Visa involves a balance between remote and in-office work, with employees expected to work in the office three predetermined days a week. This setup allows for effective collaboration while also providing the flexibility that many professionals desire.

Visa is committed to the professional development of its employees, including Directors of Software Engineering, by providing opportunities for mentorship, critical talent hiring strategies, and fostering a culture of accountability. You'll have actionable support in advancing your career and enhancing your skills as you lead your team.

The Director of Software Engineering position is vital for Visa's fraud prevention strategies, as it entails creating and deploying robust machine learning platforms that enhance fraud detection techniques. Your leadership will directly contribute to safeguarding Visa's payment systems and maintaining trust with customers and partners alike.

When answering this question, consider highlighting specific projects you've worked on that involved developing machine learning models to detect fraudulent behaviors. Detail the technologies you used, the impact of your work on fraud reduction, and how you collaborated with other teams to implement effective solutions.

Share your strategies for promoting engineering excellence, such as encouraging best practices, conducting code reviews, providing continuous feedback, and investing in team training. Providing examples of how you've implemented such practices can demonstrate your leadership effectiveness.

Discuss how you communicate the technical advantages of various approaches while aligning them with business goals. Highlight how you might use data and insights to shape product roadmaps and the importance of collaboration with product teams in this process.

When answering this, focus on a specific instance, explaining the challenge, the steps you took to address it, and what the outcome was. This showcases your problem-solving abilities and can demonstrate your resilience as a leader.

You could explain the importance of setting clear expectations and goals, providing regular feedback, and holding team members accountable for their performance. Discussing how you promote ownership of projects and recognize contributions can further illustrate your management style.

Speak about your belief in the importance of mentorship, including how you identify potential leaders within your team, provide them opportunities to grow, and create an environment conducive to learning and development. Sharing specific examples can add depth to your answer.

Here, detail your experience working with different departments, such as product management, marketing, or user experience. Discuss your communication strategies and how you align differing priorities to achieve common project goals.

Discuss the tools and methodologies you've used, such as Agile or Scrum, and explain why you've chosen them. You can also mention how these have helped improve efficiency and deliver faster, quality products.

You might share your habits around reading industry publications, participating in webinars and workshops, or joining relevant professional networks to stay updated on trends and innovations in software engineering, particularly within AI and fraud detection.

Make sure your answer reflects your enthusiasm for Visa’s commitment to innovation in payments and how your values align with their mission. Mention specific aspects of Visa’s culture or projects that excite you and how you see yourself contributing to their success.