Lead SW Engineer

Visa; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 173,100 - 276,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k)

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Visa is seeking a Lead Software Engineer in Austin, Texas, focused on building scalable systems for its Intelligent Commerce ecosystem. In this role, you'll lead design choices, work on backend services and APIs, and use your expertise in modern cloud technologies.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in programming languages such as Java and Python, and a background in cloud-native application development. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement and competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor's Degree, or 7+ years with an Advanced degree.
• 12+ years of experience building and operating large-scale distributed systems.
• Strong expertise in system design and high-availability architecture.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of scalable backend services and APIs.
• Architect and build distributed, low-latency systems with cloud-native technologies.
• Collaborate with Product Managers to translate business requirements into technical solutions.

Skills

Java

Python

Microservices

REST APIs

Cloud-native applications

System design

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Advanced degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD)

PhD

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

CI/CD

React

Angular

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a Lead Software Engineer to drive the architecture, design, and delivery of key platform capabilities within Visa's Intelligent Commerce ecosystem.

This role sits at the intersection of platform engineering, APIs, and agent-driven commerce experiences, and focuses on building scalable systems that power merchant integrations and intelligent workflows. You will partner closely with Product and Architecture to translate business requirements into robust technical solutions while providing hands‑on leadership to engineering teams.

This is a hands‑on leadership role where you will lead design decisions, contribute to critical systems, and elevate engineering practices across the team.

Essential Function

• Lead the design and development of scalable backend services, APIs, and platform components supporting Intelligent Commerce use cases
• Architect and build distributed, low‑latency, highly available systems using modern cloud‑native technologies
• Partner with Product Managers to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions
• Drive end‑to‑end delivery of complex initiatives, from system design through production deployment
• Contribute hands‑on to coding, system design, debugging, and performance optimization
• Apply and evolve microservices architecture patterns, API design standards, and engineering best practices
• Improve developer productivity and platform capabilities, including CI/CD, observability, and system reliability
• Mentor engineers within the team, helping raise the technical bar and support career growth
• Lead cross‑team initiatives within the platform and collaborate with partner teams to resolve dependencies and deliver integrated solutions
• Identify opportunities for reuse, simplification, and improved system performance and cost efficiency
• Support adoption of AI‑assisted development tools and workflows to improve engineering velocity and quality

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your hiring manager.

Visa requires at least 3 days in office, expectations of these days will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• 10 or more years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree, OR
• 7 or more years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD), OR
• 4 years of work experience with a PhD, OR
• 13+ years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience building and operating large‑scale distributed systems
• Strong experience in Java and/or Python, microservices, and REST APIs
• Proven experience designing and delivering cloud‑native applications (Kubernetes, Docker, CI/CD)
• Strong expertise in system design, scalability, and high‑availability architecture
• Experience working closely with product and cross‑functional partners to deliver complex systems
• Exposure to AI‑driven systems, intelligent platforms, or agent‑based workflows
• Familiarity with modern frontend frameworks (React/Angular) is a plus

The Skills You Bring

• Technical Leadership: Leads system design and delivery of complex, high‑impact initiatives
• Architecture Depth: Strong experience designing scalable, distributed platform systems
• Execution: Drives work from concept through production with accountability and ownership
• Collaboration: Partners effectively with product, architecture, and engineering teams
• Influence: Guides technical decisions and aligns stakeholders across teams
• Mentorship: Develops engineers and elevates overall team capability
• AI‑Forward Thinking: Leverages modern tooling, including AI‑assisted development practices

Why This Role

• Build next‑generation commerce platforms at global scale
• Work on agent‑based and intelligent systems shaping the future of payments
• Directly impact merchant and consumer experiences
• Operate in a high‑visibility, high‑impact engineering environment

U.S. Applicants Only

U.S. Applicants Only

Work Hours

Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements

This position requires travel 5‑10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements

This position will be performed in an office setting. The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protect veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Salary and Benefits

The estimated salary range for this position is $173,100.00 to $276,800.00 USD per year, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job‑related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity.

Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.