Firewall Engineering Team Lead

M&T Bank; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

M&T Bank in Buffalo, NY seeks a Senior Engineering/Architecture Manager to lead multiple engineering teams, steer project delivery, and ensure alignment with risk and regulatory standards. You will manage client relationships, drive strategic initiatives, and oversee budgets, staffing, and the project queue to deliver high‑quality solutions on time.

You’ll work four days on-site at Seneca One Buffalo with the flexibility to work from home one day each week.

Qualifications

• Minimum of combined 9 years of higher education and/or work experience including at least 4 years in engineering/architecture and 3 years in leadership
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams while managing complex operational functions and strategic priorities
• Experience with firewall technologies such as Checkpoint and Palo Alto
• Capable of managing multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Proficient in project management, word processing and spreadsheet applications
• Understanding of the system development life cycle
• Strong communication and analytical skills
• Excellent decision-making and leadership capabilities
• Experience guiding staff and translating business requirements into technical designs

Responsibilities

• Manage and direct engineering/architecture teams and projects
• Maintain client relationships and expectations; oversee project queues and staffing
• Monitor industry direction and vendor applications; provide recommendations
• Oversee application development, testing, infrastructure, and project management
• Serve as SME in assigned areas; translate requirements into detailed specifications
• Ensure compliance with risk and regulatory standards and internal controls
• Oversee budgets and cost centers; promote cross-functional collaboration
• Deliver high-quality solutions on time and within scope

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Checkpoint

Palo Alto

Firewall technologies

Job description

This role is four days on-site at our Seneca One Buffalo, NY location, with the flexibility to work from home one day per week

Overview:

Manages the activities of several Engineering and/or Architecture Team Leaders or units and responsible for each Team’s/unit’s development and systems support efforts. Provides day-to-day direction for the units and applications in line with goals of department and the clients they support. Responsible for managing client relations and expectations. Manages the project queue for their area. Strives to achieve individual and organizational objectives at minimum cost.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage and participate in consults with client management in the analysis of short-range business requirements and recommend innovations that anticipate future impact of changing business requirements. Responsible for building a positive client relationship.

• Monitor the technology direction of the industry and vendor applications.

• Research and initiate change to the status quo, when necessary.

• Responsible for vendor and product analysis and recommendations.

• Oversee application development, support testing efforts, technology infrastructure/project management and other technology domains.

• Serve as subject matter expert in assigned area of responsibility.

• Build rapport within the organization. Communicate and develop a professional level of communication and cooperation.

• Maintain relationships with vendors and professional organizations.

• Control the activities of the teams, assign personnel to various projects and direct their activities.

• Ensure completion of schedules. Responsible for short-term staffing planning.

• Implement technology consistent with Division standards and long-range plans. Ensure adherence to all Department and Technology standards and procedures, including all documentation requirements.

• May translate requirements to assist staff in preparing detailed specifications for system enhancements. Manage recommended designs based on business and technology requirements. Identify issues and concerns.

• Manage monitoring project plans; may coordinate major project activities. Remain current on activities outside the team that may impact the team or client environment.

• Develop and manage multiple cost center budgets.

• Recommend and initiate new policies and procedures that improve the performance and effectiveness of the Department.

• Exercise usual authority of a manager concerning staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, salary recommendations, performance management and terminations.

• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite. Design, implement, maintain and enhance internal controls to mitigate risk on an ongoing basis. Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.

• Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.

• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.

• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Scope of Responsibilities:

Oversees a team where the majority of employees are engineers and/or architect individual contributors, or Engineering Supervisors.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

5 to 10

Education and Experience Required:

• A combined minimum of 9 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 4 years’ engineering and/or architecture experience and 3 years leadership experience

• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams while effectively managing complex operational functions and strategic priorities.

• Experience with skills, application(s) and functions of technology area (Checkpoint, Palo Alto, other Firewall Technologies)

• Capable of working on multiple projects of a complex nature

• Proficiency with project management, word processing and spreadsheet applications

• Complete understanding of the system development life cycle

• Excellent problem-solving skills to assist in issue resolution

• Familiar with application development software and hardware platforms

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent analytical skills

• Excellent decision-making skills

• Strong project management skills

• Strong presentation skills

• Experience encouraging teamwork and serving as role model when leading and directing others

• Understanding of technical, business and operational impacts of a project or problem

Education and Experience Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Minimum of 10 years’ technology management or large program leadership experience

• Extensive application and product knowledge experience with skills, application(s) and functions of technology area led

• Subject Matter Expert understanding of applications supported with an advanced knowledge of interfacing/integrated applications

• Understanding of multiple business area’s functions

• Proven mentoring and leadership capabilities

• Good understanding of the Bank’s application framework

• Aware of the Bank’s business plan and strategic objectives with ability to shape direction

• Self-motivated and able to motivate others

• Understanding business(es) supported and its’ terminology

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $116,400.00 - $194,000.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Location

Buffalo, New York, United States of America

M&T Bank Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, including disabilities and veterans.