Director, Software Development & Engineering (PL) - Brokerage Customer & Account Technology

Charles Schwab; Southlake (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Employee stock purchase plan

Paid time off and sabbatical after 5+

Paid parental leave and family support

Tuition reimbursement

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

Charles Schwab is seeking a Director of Software Development & Engineering to lead the transformation of Schwab’s Client Data Platform and other broker-dealer capabilities. You will establish vision, architecture, and execution discipline to modernize critical platforms, retire legacy systems, and improve quality, resiliency, and scalability.

You will define an AI-first engineering model to apply AI across the lifecycle and collaborate with senior leaders, technology partners, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience managing broker-dealer systems with a focus on system transformation.
• Deep knowledge of broker-dealer capabilities and regulatory considerations affecting technology platforms.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale, complex technology transformations from strategy through implementation.
• Broad technical expertise across application development, cloud-based development, web services, middleware, operating systems, databases, networking, security, and IT infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience leading AI-first delivery across the software development lifecycle, including generative or agentic AI applications.
• Experience developing and executing legacy-system exit strategies (data migration, debt reduction, decommissioning).
• Experience building and leading globally distributed engineering teams.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders, set clear expectations, resolve competing priorities, and drive transformation outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the transformation of Schwab’s Client Data Platform and related broker-dealer capabilities.
• Establish vision, architecture, operating model, and execution discipline for modernization efforts.
• Operationalize an AI-first engineering model across the lifecycle: requirements, design, development, testing, and production operations.
• Lead senior leaders, partners, and distributed teams through multi-year transformation programs.
• Oversee vendor relationships and manage multi-year, cross-functional transformation outcomes.

Skills

Broker-dealer domain knowledge

Leadership & team management

AI-first delivery

Strategic transformation

Stakeholder influence

Global/distributed teams

Regulatory navigation

Communication to executives

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Information Systems or related field

Tools

Cloud development

Web services

Middleware

Operating systems

Databases

Networking

Security

IT infrastructure

Job description

Your opportunity

At Schwab, you’re empowered to make an impact on your career. Here, innovative thought meets creative problem solving, helping us challenge the status quo and transform the finance industry together. We believe in the importance of in-office collaboration and fully intend for the selected candidate for this role to work on site in the specified location(s). Internal applicants already working on-site at any Schwab corporate location are also encouraged to apply.

Schwab Technology Services enables the future of how clients manage their money by delivering innovative and reliable technology products and services. As Director, Software Development & Engineering, you will lead the transformation of Schwab’s Client Data Platform and other shared broker-dealer capabilities, advancing a unified technology strategy across multiple business domains. You will establish the vision, architecture, operating model, and execution discipline needed to modernize critical platforms, retire legacy systems, reduce technical complexity, and improve the quality, resiliency, and scalability of the technology that supports our clients.

This role provides an opportunity to define and operationalize an AI-first engineering model that incorporates generative and agentic AI throughout the software development lifecycle. You will guide teams in applying AI to requirements analysis, system understanding, development, testing, documentation, modernization, and production operations while establishing measurable improvements in delivery speed, quality, cost, and risk. Your strategic thinking and decision-making will help connect business priorities, regulatory expectations, architecture, data, and engineering practices into a clear, executable transformation roadmap.

You will collaborate with senior leaders, technology partners, and cross-functional teams to navigate complex organizational and regulatory considerations, establish priorities, and drive accountability for multi-year transformation outcomes. You will also oversee technology vendor relationships and lead globally distributed teams through significant changes in platforms, processes, and ways of working. Success will require the ability to solve complex problems, adapt the strategy as conditions evolve, communicate with transparency, and develop technical and managerial talent capable of sustaining an AI-enabled engineering organization.

What you have

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience managing broker-dealer systems with a focus on system transformation
• Deep knowledge of broker-dealer capabilities and operations, including the regulatory considerations affecting technology platforms
• Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale, complex technology transformations from strategy through implementation
• Broad technical expertise across application development, cloud-based development, web services, middleware, operating systems, databases, networking, security, and IT infrastructure
• Demonstrated experience leading AI‑first delivery across the software development lifecycle, including the application of generative or agentic AI to system analysis, requirements, testing, code modernization, documentation, or production operations
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing legacy‑system exit strategies, including system decomposition, data migration, technical‑debt reduction, and platform decommissioning
• Demonstrated experience building and leading high‑performing, globally distributed engineering teams
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders, establish clear expectations, resolve competing priorities, and maintain accountability for transformation outcomes

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience transforming legacy or mainframe‑centered engineering environments into modern, distributed technology platforms
• Experience applying AI to understand, reverse engineer, modernize, or retire complex legacy systems
• Ability to connect organizational strategy, architecture, engineering practices, operating processes, and platform economics when making decisions
• Experience establishing measurable improvements in engineering velocity, quality, cost, resiliency, and operational risk
• Experience evaluating, selecting, and managing IT services providers and third‑party technology vendors
• Ability to operate effectively through ambiguity while maintaining disciplined execution and a strong focus on outcomes
• Ability to communicate complex technology strategies clearly and credibly to executive, business, and engineering audiences
• Demonstrated ability to identify, mentor, and develop technical and managerial talent at scale
• Experience developing an engineering culture that embraces automation, transparency, adaptability, continuous learning, and shared accountability

In addition to the salary range, this role is eligible for bonus or incentive opportunities.

What’s in it for you

At Schwab, you’re empowered to shape your future. We champion your growth through meaningful work, continuous learning, and a culture of trust and collaboration—so you can build the skills to make a lasting impact. Our Hybrid Work and Flexibility approach balances our ongoing commitment to workplace flexibility, serving our clients, and our strong belief in the value of being together in person on a regular basis.

We offer a competitive benefits package that takes care of the whole you – both today and in the future:

• 401(k) with company match and Employee stock purchase plan
• Paid time for vacation, volunteering, and 28‑day sabbatical after every 5 years of service for eligible positions
• Paid parental leave and family building benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Health, dental, and vision insurance