Principal Staff Engineer

Moment; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading payment solutions company in Dubai seeks a Principal Staff Engineer for strategic direction in payment systems. Ideal candidates have over 10 years in software development, strong technical background, and experience in leading teams. The role demands a thorough understanding of payments technology and a startup mentality. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to revolutionizing electronic payments in Africa, with a focus on building reliable and secure systems.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in software development focused on payments technology.
• Deep understanding of payment processing systems.
• Experience in a startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and technical guidance for payment systems.
• Lead and mentor engineering teams, fostering a culture of growth.
• Drive payment-related projects from inception to delivery.

Skills

Software development

Payments technology

Team management

Java

Python

C++

NodeJS

Go

Rust

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Engineering

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Principal Staff Engineer role at Moment

Role Overview

We’re looking for an experienced engineering leader who really knows payments inside and out. Someone with a strong technical background (10+ years in software development), who’s also led and grown teams before. You should be comfortable rolling up your sleeves, setting technical direction, and helping us build and scale reliable, secure payment systems. Startup experience is a must, since we need someone who can move fast, adapt quickly, and guide the team through growth.

About Moment

Africa is at the cusp of an economic revolution. 1.5 billion people are embracing electronic payments, mobile everything, and racing towards a digital transformation that will change the world for the next two decades. While Internet- and banking-penetration have come late to Africa, a youth-driven tidal wave of change is hitting the continent, and global businesses and local champions are in a race to unlock its potential.

In partnership with Multichoice, the largest entertainment platform on the African continent, we are building a payment platform as ambitious as the customers we serve.

This is truly the Moment for Africa.

Our Culture

At Moment, we believe building the future is a team sport; partnership and collaboration lie at the core of everything we do. We take pride in working hard and strive to be world class every day, without forgetting to have a little fun along the way. We’re straight-talkers who prioritize speed of execution over perfection. We’re ok with uncertainty and don’t let it get in the way of making smart decisions quickly. We like to get things done.

We value diversity of thought, culture, and background and strive to build a business and work environment as vibrant as the continent we serve. Changing the lives and unlocking the ambitions of a continent isn’t for the faint of heart - but with a passion for people and a desire to make a lasting impact, we believe we can build an enormous business that also delivers good in the world.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Extensive experience (10+ years) in software development with a focus on payments technology.
• Deep understanding of payment processing systems, including but not limited to payment gateways, merchant services, and fraud prevention.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, C++, NodeJS, Go, or Rust, and familiarity with modern software development practices (e.g., Agile, DevOps). The specific programming language is less important than the depth - a good guide is at least two programming languages.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience leading and mentoring engineering teams. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Experience working in a startup environment is a requirement.
• Additional skills or experience in managing engineering teams - in hands-on Engineering Manager or VP of Engineering roles would be beneficial.

Job Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership : Provide strategic direction and technical guidance in the development and maintenance of payment systems.
• Architect scalable and robust solutions to meet current and future business needs.
• Stay updated with industry trends and best practices in payments technology.
• Team Management : Lead and mentor a team of engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams including product management, design, and operations to deliver high-quality solutions on time.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to team members.
• Project Management : Drive the execution of payment-related projects from inception to delivery, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Define project timelines, allocate resources, and manage risks effectively.
• Track progress, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions to ensure project success.
• Collaboration and Communication : Collaborate with stakeholders to gather requirements and define technical specifications for payment systems.
• Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of transparency and open communication within the engineering team.
• Quality Assurance and Compliance : Implement rigorous testing procedures to ensure the reliability, security, and compliance of payment systems.
• Stay informed about regulatory requirements and ensure that payment solutions adhere to industry standards and regulations.

Seniorities

• Seniority level : Director

Employment

• Employment type : Full-time

Job Function and Industries

• Job function : Engineering and Finance
• Industries : Software Development and Financial Services