VP Engineering, Payments

Planet; Greater London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in the UK is seeking an experienced VP, Engineering to lead the development and delivery of core platforms. This role combines technical expertise with leadership skills to empower engineering teams and drive operational excellence. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in software development and managing large teams while ensuring effective collaboration across various stakeholders. The position promotes a hybrid work model, allowing for both in-office and remote work flexibility.

Benefits

Hybrid work model

Diverse workplace

Career growth opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior engineering leadership role, managing large distributed teams (30–50+ people).
• Experience in payments or SaaS or other complex technology environments is valued.
• Familiar with compliance, audit, and security best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of future-proof products, processes, platforms, and teams.
• Ensure the efficient delivery of high-quality solutions.
• Define and communicate clear technical roadmaps.
• Drive the adoption of cloud-first strategies.
• Attract, develop, and retain top engineering talent.

Skills

Strong technical background in software development

Experience in Agile methodologies

Strong communication skills

Leadership in managing large teams

Stakeholder management

Education

BSc/BA in Computer Science, Engineering or related field

MSc/MBA preferred

Tools

JIRA

Oracle (Java)

Microsoft (.NET)

Automation frameworks (e.g., Jenkins, Tosca)

Job description

About Us

Planet is a leading technology company transforming payments by putting customer experience first. We offer integrated solutions that include payment processing, VAT refunds, dynamic currency conversion, and management services for merchants in the Retail and Hospitality sectors worldwide.

In recent years, we have experienced significant growth, expanding our services and global presence.

With strong private equity investors, Advent International and Eurazeo, we have the financial capital and expertise to grow our capabilities and reach through acquisitions.

Our mission is to create a world of connected commerce where payments are simple, secure, and seamless, enabling our partners to deliver exceptional experiences to their customers.

Role Overview

Planet is seeking an experienced VP, Engineering to drive the development and delivery of our core platforms and applications. This role combines strong technical expertise with proven leadership capabilities, ensuring that engineering teams are empowered, motivated, and aligned to business needs.

You will be responsible for shaping the technical roadmap, ensuring operational excellence, and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement across engineering.

What You Will Do

• Lead the development of future-proof products, processes, platforms, and teams.
• Ensure the efficient delivery of high-quality solutions through modern development practices, automation, and robust change and release management.
• Define and communicate clear technical roadmaps that support Planet’s strategic priorities.
• Drive the adoption of cloud-first strategies and API-driven services where applicable.
• Attract, develop, and retain top engineering talent, building skills in emerging technologies and fostering a culture of learning.
• Collaborate with Product, Delivery, and other business stakeholders to ensure alignment and transparency across teams.
• Oversee vendor and partner relationships, ensuring effective use of external resources and staff augmentation.
• Ensure applications and platforms achieve high availability across geographies, meeting and exceeding client expectations.
• Monitor and report on technology performance and outcomes to senior management, providing insights and recommendations for improvement.
• Stay up to date with evolving technologies and industry trends, ensuring Planet remains competitive and innovative.

Who You Are

• BSc/BA in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; MSc/MBA preferred.
• Proven experience in a senior engineering leadership role, managing large distributed teams (30–50+ people).
• Strong technical background with expertise in software development, integration, and delivery.
• Experience in payments is highly valued, though a strong background in SaaS or complex technology environments is equally considered.
• Familiar with compliance, audit, and security best practices, including encryption, key management, and controls.
• Demonstrated success in delivering large-scale projects using Agile, Kanban, or Waterfall methodologies.Skilled in organizational leadership, with the ability to balance technical strategy, people development, and business priorities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, able to engage effectively across multiple functions and geographies.
• Knowledge of tools and environments such as JIRA, Oracle (Java), Microsoft (.NET), and test/automation frameworks (e.g., Jenkins, Tosca).
• Payments experience is a strong plus. We also value backgrounds in SaaS and other complex technology environments.

Why Planet

Planet is an equal opportunity employer where diversity is valued, and all employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

Come and grow your career in the most exciting, fast paced technology market, with a business that delivers feel-good connected commerce.

We would love to hear from you – Apply now.

At Planet, we embrace a hybrid work model, with three days a week in the office.

Reasonable accommodations may be made in order to allow for an individual to perform the essential functions of this role successfully.