AI Systems Architect & Technical Strategy Lead

Mastercard; Bray (OK); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Mastercard seeks a Level 5 Principal Engineer to lead technology and architecture within BET, embedded in sourcing and delivery. You will shape opportunity hypotheses, evaluate tech trends, and drive AI-enabled capabilities across initiatives.

You will mentor engineers, influence architectural decisions, and ensure alignment with security, scale, and enterprise standards while collaborating with product, data, and engineering teams worldwide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 8+ years of distributed, production-grade software development in an agile environment.
• Strong backend experience with Java, Kotlin, Python, Scala, or equivalent.
• Experience guiding architecture for large, multi-team platforms.
• Experience with AI/LLM-enabled workflows and secure, scalable systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior technology and architecture advisor for new business opportunities.
• Partner with product, business, sourcing, and engineering to shape hypotheses and business cases.
• Evaluate ideas, market signals, and technology trends for opportunities.
• Support design and evolution of agentic and AI-enabled capabilities and workflows.
• Assess build/partner/invest/discard pathways with clear technical recommendations.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to engineering standards and decisions.

Skills

Distributed systems

Backend engineering

Java

Kotlin

Python

Scala

API design

Cloud platforms

AI integration

Security and identity

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

AWS

Spark

SQL

Databricks

Snowflake

Job description

Mastercard seeks a Level 5 Principal Engineer to lead technology and architecture within BET, embedded in sourcing and delivery. You will shape opportunity hypotheses, evaluate tech trends, and drive AI-enabled capabilities across initiatives.

You will mentor engineers, influence architectural decisions, and ensure alignment with security, scale, and enterprise standards while collaborating with product, data, and engineering teams worldwide.