Vice President, AI Software Engineering

Women in Payments; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 208,000 - 333,000; Full time

Job summary

Mastercard Foundry Research and Development in Toronto is seeking a talented Vice President, AI Software Engineering. You will lead a highly agile, AI-native development team building large-scale software platforms from ideation to release.

This hands-on role focuses on Generative and Agentic AI, building prototypes and production systems across the payments ecosystem. You will lead lean pods, refine product constructs, and shape an AI-native SDLC.

Qualifications

• Experience leading AI-native teams delivering customer-facing software.
• Proven ability to design scalable data-oriented architectures.
• Hands-on backend development in Java and/or Python, with frontend exposure in React/Next.js.

Responsibilities

• Drive the engineering vision and strategy for large-scale data-oriented product development.
• Lead delivery of complex AI-enabled software applications across functions.
• Partner with product teams to define nascent product constructs and roadmaps.
• Develop deep knowledge of data assets, analytics, and infrastructure.
• Mentor teams to achieve high AI-native development proficiency.
• Advance best practices for an AI-native SDLC and code quality.

Skills

AI leadership

Team management

Java

Python

React

Next.js

Databricks

Data-driven product

SDLC

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Databricks

LLMs

Agentic AI tooling

Job description

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build asustainableeconomy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactionssecure, 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

Vice President, AI Software Engineering Overview: Mastercard is looking for a talented VP, AI Software Engineering to join the Mastercard Foundry Research and Development team in Toronto. In this role you will be leading a highly agile, AI native development team building innovative large-scale software platforms and solutions from ideation to release. Our team is built on a foundation of research and development, mining innovation internally, innovating new product lines with emerging technology, managing new products from inception to market validation and engaging strategically with start-ups to shape the future of commerce with and for our customers. At Mastercard you will help define the future of commerce globally.

About the Role: This is a hands-on role for an engineer who is deeply engaged in using Generative and Agentic AI through the full product development lifecycle. You will lead lean, high-performance pods to develop and refine product constructs, build functional prototypes, and build, test, and deploy large-scale applications in the payment’s ecosystem, supported by AI tooling and agentic capabilities. You will experiment with team structures, processes, and tooling to establish AI native ways of working to deliver high-quality software at an accelerated pace. We are looking for someone with deep experience leading high-performing teams on customer facing software applications, strong engineering fundamentals, a product-building mindset, a practical understanding of the patterns and trade-offs behind modern AI systems, and a sense of curiosity to experiment and drive new ways of working.

Responsibilities

• Drive the engineering vision and strategy for large-scale data-oriented new product development
• Lead the delivery of complex, cross-functional software applications with AI native approach and mindset
• Partner with product teams to define and refine nascent product constructs
• Develop deep working knowledge of data assets, analytics, and infrastructure to implement scalable data-oriented applications
• Manage teams to design, build, test, and release high-quality software applications leveraging AI tooling and processes
• Mentor and grow talent-dense teams to a high degree of AI native development proficiency
• Leverage and improve best practices for an AI-native SDLC, including design, architecture, development, code reviews, testing, deployment, and release
• Coach teams on best practices for leveraging AI across the SDLC
• Bring a strong and evolving perspective on AI team structures and processes, with a willingness to experiment and pivot
• Hands on experience building 0->1 applications using Generative AI, LLMs, and/or agentic patterns
• Proven experience leading high-performing teams on customer facing software applications
• Strong data fluency and proficiency with data technologies (e.g., Databricks)
• Strong software engineering experience building scalable, maintainable production systems
• Strong backend engineering skills in Java and/or Python and frontend experience with React or Next.js
• Strong track record of growing and developing high performing talent
• Strong business acumen and proven ability to apply technology to solve business problems

All About You

• Thrives on creating innovative products and technology solutions in a collaborative, fun environment
• Hands-on, curious, and comfortable working in fast-moving environments
• Passionate about leading and growing people and teams to their highest potential
• Uses AI as part of daily engineering practice
• Brings both engineering depth and a product mindset
• Cares about developer experience, quality, and reuse
• Communicates clearly and works well across functions
• Enjoys learning, experimenting, and helping raise the bar for others
• Ability to explain technical problems clearly and succinctly to diverse audiences

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.

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.

Pay Ranges

Toronto, Canada: $208,000 - $333,000 CAD