Principal Software Development Engineer

Mastercard; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 236,000 - 448,000; Full time

Job summary

Mastercard seeks a Principal Software Development Engineer to lead major cross‑department initiatives, define scope, estimate costs, and drive delivery of high‑quality software aligned with business ROI. You will guide architecture, mentor teams, and ensure compliance within SDLC.

The role requires a strong background in secure financial services software, expert Java/Spring and Python skills, AWS experience, and a track record of stakeholder influence and cross‑functional leadership.

Qualifications

• Requires strong software engineering fundamentals and proven delivery of complex projects.
• Experience in secure solutions within financial services preferred.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional teams and manage stakeholder expectations.

Responsibilities

• Lead definition, development, and delivery of major cross‑department initiatives with broad scope and long‑term business implications.
• Perform PoCs to assess technologies and provide recommendations to senior management.
• Lead roadmaps aligning with department strategy and long-term vision; coach team members.

Skills

Java/Spring

Python

AI in design

Leadership

Communication

Vendor management

AWS

Education

Bachelor's degree in information systems, IT, CS or engineering

Tools

Databricks

Snowflake

AWS

Job description

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Principal Software Development Engineer

Job Overview: Leads major projects and creates the development and delivery of quality software solutions in a timely and cost-effective manner. Research alternative technical solutions for changing business needs. Responsible for assuring the daily activities of the team meet the requirements of SLA’s.

About the Role

• Successfully lead definition, development, and delivery of major cross-department initiatives with broad scope and long-term business implications. Collaborate with business and technical partners to identify and scope the opportunities, quantify costs, outline potential value and ROI, identify risks, benefits, and constraints. Partner with business to identify innovative solutions and drive strategic decisions. Develop business case in alignment with the MasterCard objectives. Lead scenario planning process and creation, validation and review of estimates, costs, and benefits. Actively look for opportunities for Innovation and creative problem solving. Make presentations to the Senior Management, Business Owners and other Stakeholders and help them in decision making process.
• Perform Proofs of Concepts (PoCs) to assess and identify the technologies per the needs of the organization. Provide recommendation to Senior Management on selection of technologies and strategic technical direction for the department. Lead creation of roadmaps that align with the department strategy and long-term business vision and objectives. Coach and mentor team members, enable knowledge sharing via brownbag sessions on new and upcoming technologies, methodologies, and application appropriate frameworks.
• Lead implementation of processes and supporting tools per the evolving needs of the organization. Identifying process gaps, provide estimates for business solutions, define the initial scope/requirements of the project, and manage the scope during the lifecycle of the project. Plan overall project scope as well as define scope for each phase and iteration to meet business needs/time-to-market needs.
• Define and Lead Quality Assurance and Quality Control processes in the department. Ensure compliance to quality methodology and development of quality metrics by the team. Create guidelines, processes, and standards to ensure high overall quality of product and incident free deployment.
• Instruct and guide the team to ensure that appropriate processes and documentation is in use by the team. Ensure compliance to the defined standards. Actively look for opportunities to modify and enhance standards per the needs of the department. Develop documentation templates, lead and enforce development of artifacts throughout the solution development lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance of Audit Requirements by proactively educating team on Compliance Requirements and Integrating Compliance Requirements in SDLC. Represent team during Compliance Audits.

All About You

• Extensive background in delivering secure solutions in Financial Services Sector is preferred.
• Expertise with Software Engineering Concepts and Methodologies.
• Proven track record in selection and implementation of methodologies with focus on Lean methodology, delivery of High Efficiency Solutions leading to productivity gains is required.
• Demonstrate MC Core Competencies.
• Experience in vendor relationship management, vendor selection, RFI/RFP process, SOW is highly desired.
• Proven ability to embody MC Leadership Principles.
• Proven capacity to lead and influence matrix based project team members and work as a member of a diverse and geographically distributed team.
• Experience in operations environment is highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in information systems, Information Technology, Computer Science or Engineering or equivalent experience.

Skills/ Abilities

• Must be politically savvy, high-energy, detail-oriented, proactive, and able to function under pressure in an independent environment. Possess the ability to have a high degree of initiative and self-motivation to drive results.
• Demonstrate ability to organize, manage, plan, and control several concurrent initiatives with conflicting needs.
• Candidate must possess a superior coding background with Java/Spring or Python. Additional required technical requirements are AWS, Databricks/Snowflake.
• Experience using AI to assist in shaping/design applications as well as understand associated risks applicable to using AI.
• Must display strong communication skills -- both verbal and written – and leadership and relationship skills with ability to influence others without having direct authority.
• Proven ability to sell solutions, persuade cross-functional group, garner support for solutions and bring group to a consensus and strong ability in collection and formulation of data, development of Metrics and dashboard reporting.

Corporate Security Responsibility

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.

Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.

Pay Ranges

Arlington, Virginia: $195,000 - $323,000 USD

O'Fallon, Missouri: $170,000 - $281,000 USD