# Engineering Lead, GTPN Platform (Seoul)
**Company:** [Airwallex](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/airwallex)
Lead the architecture, development, and operation of the Global Treasury and Payment Network (GTPN) platform at Airwallex, a regulated AI-native financial operating system serving 675,000+ businesses globally. You'll manage a distributed engineering team spanning multiple international hubs, guide critical platform decisions for high-availability payment systems, and partner with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver scalable infrastructure supporting real-time financial operations. This role requires 8+ years of software engineering experience with strong technical judgment in system architecture, fintech domain knowledge, and proven team leadership in regulated financial environments.
**Role:** Engineering Manager
**Seniority:** Manager
**Locations:** KR - Seoul
**Salary:** 140000–200000 KRW
[Apply](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/airwallex/ed2697c7-b0b7-44cb-8214-40bc51ff4955)
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/jobs/airwallex/engineering-lead-gtpn-platform-seoul-ed2697c7
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## Responsibilities

- Set Technical Direction and Architecture: Define technical strategy for the GTPN platform, guide key architectural decisions, lead design reviews for platform-wide changes, and ensure scalable, reliable, and high-performing services across distributed engineering teams in US, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai hubs.
- Team Leadership and Development: Build and manage a high-performing engineering team, strengthen team health and execution quality, develop team members' technical and leadership capabilities, and foster a culture of ownership, quality, and continuous improvement across geographically distributed locations.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with product managers, designers, and engineering stakeholders to shape platform strategy, align capabilities with customer and business needs, prioritize effectively, and act as a bridge between local Seoul teams and global colleagues to ensure unified execution.
- Code Quality and Technical Excellence: Contribute hands-on to code reviews, technical problem-solving, and critical implementation work where needed, maintaining high standards for engineering quality, reliability, and operational excellence across the payment infrastructure.
- Performance and Reliability Optimization: Use data-driven insights and system monitoring to improve platform performance, reliability, and operational metrics. Lead initiatives for low-latency, high-availability treasury and payment systems serving mission-critical financial operations.
- Strategic Planning and Execution: Own roadmap development for the GTPN platform, make sound decisions with incomplete information in fast-paced environments, prioritize initiatives aligned with business growth, and execute on complex financial infrastructure challenges at global scale.

## Requirements

### education

- {"name":"Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or Related Field","description":"Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related quantitative/technical field required. This provides foundational knowledge in algorithms, data structures, and computer systems theory essential for platform architecture decisions."}

### technical

- {"name":"JVM Ecosystem and Modern Languages","description":"Strong proficiency with Java or Kotlin, particularly within Spring and Spring Boot frameworks. Deep understanding of JVM internals, garbage collection, memory management, and performance tuning in production systems."}
- {"name":"Distributed Systems Architecture","description":"Expertise in designing and operating distributed systems, including microservices architecture, service mesh concepts, API design, database sharding, and eventual consistency patterns. Experience with payment processing workflows and financial transaction handling is valuable."}
- {"name":"Cloud Infrastructure and DevOps","description":"Proficiency with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), infrastructure-as-code, CI/CD pipelines, and observability tools for monitoring, logging, and tracing. Understanding of cost optimization in cloud environments."}
- {"name":"Data-Driven Development","description":"Ability to leverage metrics, monitoring data, and system insights to make architectural and operational decisions. Familiarity with APM tools, distributed tracing, and performance profiling techniques."}

### experience

- {"name":"Team Leadership Experience","description":"Proven track record leading high-performing engineering teams, including hiring, mentoring, and developing team members. Experience managing distributed teams across multiple geographies and time zones preferred."}
- {"name":"Software Engineering Expertise","description":"8+ years in modern software engineering environments with deep expertise in system design, architectural patterns, and building scalable distributed systems. Strong background in production-grade infrastructure and platform engineering."}
- {"name":"Technical Judgment and Decision-Making","description":"Demonstrated ability to guide teams in building reliable, scalable systems with strong technical judgment. Experience evaluating tradeoffs between velocity, scalability, reliability, and technical debt in complex systems."}
- {"name":"Fintech and Regulated Environments","description":"Preferred experience in fintech, payments, or other regulated financial domains. Understanding of compliance requirements, payment processing workflows, and financial infrastructure challenges is highly valued."}
- {"name":"High-Availability Systems","description":"Prior experience leading teams responsible for building and maintaining high-availability, low-latency systems with stringent uptime requirements and critical operational constraints."}

## Skills

### required

- {"name":"Leadership and People Management","description":"Proven ability to recruit, develop, and retain high-performing engineers. Strong coaching skills, conflict resolution capabilities, and experience creating psychological safety and ownership culture within teams."}
- {"name":"System Design and Architecture","description":"Expert-level capability in designing large-scale distributed systems, evaluating architectural tradeoffs, and making decisions that balance performance, scalability, reliability, and maintainability across complex platforms."}
- {"name":"Strategic Thinking and Execution","description":"Ability to synthesize information from multiple sources, connect dots across functions, develop long-term technical vision, and maintain focus on both big-picture strategy and critical details simultaneously."}
- {"name":"Cross-Functional Communication","description":"Excellence in communicating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, articulating tradeoffs, building consensus, and collaborating effectively with product, design, operations, and business teams across distributed locations."}
- {"name":"Decision-Making Under Uncertainty","description":"Comfort making sound technical and strategic decisions with incomplete information. Ability to move quickly while maintaining quality standards and adapting decisions based on new data in fast-paced fintech environments."}
- {"name":"Operational Excellence","description":"Experience establishing and maintaining high standards for code quality, testing, operational procedures, and incident response. Capability to build systems and processes that support reliability and reduce operational toil."}

### preferred

- {"name":"Fintech Domain Expertise","description":"Deep understanding of payment systems, treasury operations, foreign exchange, settlement processes, and regulatory requirements in financial services. Knowledge of payment rails, banking infrastructure, and cross-border payments valuable."}
- {"name":"Regulated Environment Experience","description":"Prior experience in highly regulated industries (financial services, healthcare), understanding compliance frameworks, audit processes, and how to balance innovation with regulatory requirements and risk management."}
- {"name":"Open Source Contribution","description":"Active contributions to open-source projects, particularly in infrastructure, payment systems, or distributed systems space. Demonstrates thought leadership and community engagement in software engineering."}
- {"name":"Multi-Region and Multi-Tenancy Architecture","description":"Experience designing and operating systems that serve multiple geographic regions, handle multi-tenancy, address data residency requirements, and manage deployment complexity across global infrastructure."}
- {"name":"Performance Optimization at Scale","description":"Track record optimizing large-scale systems for performance and cost, including database query optimization, caching strategies, and infrastructure efficiency improvements in high-traffic environments."}

## Tech stack

### tools

- {"name":"Kubernetes","description":"Container orchestration platform for managing distributed services at scale. Essential for understanding modern deployment practices and infrastructure management at Airwallex's global scale."}
- {"name":"Docker","description":"Containerization technology fundamental to modern infrastructure. Proficiency required for understanding service packaging, deployment processes, and development workflows."}
- {"name":"AWS or GCP","description":"Cloud platforms hosting Airwallex infrastructure. Experience with EC2, RDS, S3, networking, and managed services valuable for infrastructure decision-making and cost optimization."}
- {"name":"Git","description":"Version control system essential for code collaboration and management. Proficiency in Git workflows, branching strategies, and code review processes required."}
- {"name":"Jenkins or GitLab CI/CD","description":"CI/CD pipeline tools for automated testing and deployment. Experience building and maintaining reliable deployment processes at scale valuable for engineering leadership."}

### others

- {"name":"gRPC","description":"Modern RPC framework for high-performance service communication. Relevant for Airwallex's distributed architecture and real-time payment processing requirements across global hubs."}
- {"name":"Apache Kafka","description":"Event streaming platform used for asynchronous processing and event-driven architectures. Common in fintech for transaction processing, audit trails, and system integration."}
- {"name":"Protocol Buffers","description":"Serialization format complementing gRPC and modern service communication. Understanding beneficial for cross-service contracts and data consistency in distributed systems."}
- {"name":"Observability and Monitoring","description":"Tools like Datadog, New Relic, Prometheus, or Grafana for system monitoring and observability. Critical for maintaining high-availability payment infrastructure and debugging distributed systems issues."}

### databases

- {"name":"PostgreSQL","description":"Robust relational database commonly used in fintech for ACID compliance and strong consistency requirements. Understanding of advanced features like partitioning and replication relevant for high-scale payment systems."}
- {"name":"MySQL","description":"Alternative relational database option. Familiarity with both PostgreSQL and MySQL valuable for distributed systems that may use different databases for different use cases."}
- {"name":"Redis","description":"In-memory data store essential for caching, session management, and real-time operations in payment systems. Understanding of Redis patterns like distributed locks critical for fintech infrastructure."}

### languages

- {"name":"Java","description":"Primary backend language for JVM ecosystem. Proficiency required for understanding Airwallex's likely core platform implementation, performance characteristics, and ecosystem tooling."}
- {"name":"Kotlin","description":"Modern JVM language gaining adoption in fintech. Experience valuable for modernizing codebases and supporting team members using contemporary JVM approaches alongside Java."}
- {"name":"SQL","description":"Essential for financial systems relying on relational databases. Deep SQL expertise required for query optimization, transaction handling, and data consistency in payment systems."}

### frameworks

- {"name":"Spring Framework","description":"Industry-standard Java framework for building enterprise applications. Deep experience required for microservices development, dependency injection, and cloud-native application patterns."}
- {"name":"Spring Boot","description":"Modern Spring-based approach for rapid application development with embedded containers and production-ready features. Essential for understanding how Airwallex likely structures backend services and platforms."}

## Benefits

### benefits

- {"name":"Competitive Equity Package","description":"As an Engineering Manager at a well-funded fintech leader, you'll receive meaningful stock options aligned with employee ownership and long-term value creation as Airwallex continues its global expansion."}
- {"name":"Professional Development and Learning","description":"Access to engineering conferences, training programs, and budget for continuous skill development. Opportunities to lead technical communities, speak at events, and build thought leadership in fintech and distributed systems."}
- {"name":"Global Team and Exposure","description":"Work with talented engineers across US, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai hubs. Exposure to global fintech challenges, diverse engineering practices, and opportunities to build international reputation."}
- {"name":"High-Impact Work on Critical Infrastructure","description":"Lead development of core payment infrastructure used by 675,000+ businesses including McLaren Racing, Qantas, SHEIN, and TikTok. Your decisions directly impact global commerce and financial operations at scale."}
- {"name":"Flexible Work Arrangements","description":"While the Seoul role requires on-site presence five days per week, Airwallex offers flexibility around work arrangements and maintains distributed team structures supporting work-life balance."}
- {"name":"Comprehensive Health and Wellness","description":"Competitive health insurance coverage, wellness programs, and support for mental health and wellbeing. Access to fitness benefits and initiatives promoting healthy work environments."}
- {"name":"Parental Leave and Family Support","description":"Generous parental leave policies, family-friendly benefits, and support for work-life integration including childcare assistance and flexible scheduling where applicable."}
- {"name":"Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives","description":"Commitment to building diverse and inclusive teams with employee resource groups, mentorship programs, and clear paths for underrepresented groups in engineering leadership."}

## Compensation

- **max:** 200000000
- **min:** 140000000
- **currency:** KRW
- **stockOptions:** true

## Interview process

### steps

- {"name":"Initial Screening Call","description":"Recruiter or talent acquisition specialist will conduct a 30-minute screening call to understand your background, leadership experience, motivation for the role, and alignment with Airwallex's engineering culture and principles. Expect questions about your management philosophy and experience with distributed teams."}
- {"name":"Technical Leadership Discussion","description":"One-hour conversation with a senior engineering leader at Airwallex focusing on your technical background, system design expertise, and approach to architectural decisions. You'll discuss past projects, technology choices, and how you've navigated complex technical challenges in payment or fintech systems."}
- {"name":"Management and Leadership Interview","description":"45-60 minute interview with a current or recent manager at Airwallex exploring your team leadership experience, hiring philosophy, approach to developing engineers, conflict resolution, and how you foster high-performing cultures. Expect behavioral questions about scaling teams and maintaining quality during rapid growth."}
- {"name":"Cross-Functional Collaboration Assessment","description":"Discussion with product, design, or operations stakeholders focused on your ability to partner cross-functionally, communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences, and balance business needs with engineering excellence. Questions may explore how you've shaped product strategy or navigated competing priorities."}
- {"name":"Fintech and Payments Context Discussion","description":"Conversation exploring your experience in fintech, payments, or regulated environments. Interviewers will assess your domain knowledge, understanding of payment infrastructure, and how you've built reliable systems handling critical financial operations. No prior fintech experience is required, but curiosity and learning agility are valued."}
- {"name":"Cultural Fit and Leadership Principles","description":"Final interview with a senior leader from Airwallex exploring alignment with company operating principles including ownership, speed with judgment, curiosity, and first-principles thinking. Discussion around your working style, decision-making framework, and values alignment with an AI-native, fast-moving fintech organization."}

## Full description
## **About Airwallex**

Airwallex is the AI-native financial operating system for a real-time, intelligent economy. More than 675,000 businesses, including McLaren Racing, Qantas, SHEIN, and TikTok, use us, directly or through our platform partners, to run their financial operations or build and monetize financial products of their own.

We started in Melbourne in 2015 to build the infrastructure global commerce runs on. We're the regulated backbone behind global payments: not by accident, but by design. A decade plus, 85+ licenses, and a financial infrastructure spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.

We're co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore, with more than 2,300 people across 27 offices. We hire builders with founder-level energy, people who move fast with good judgment, dig in with real curiosity, and make calls from first principles rather than waiting to be told what to do. Read our[ operating principles](https://www.airwallex.com/en-us/operating-principles) to see it in full.

## How you'll make impact

As an Engineering Manager, you’ll lead the architecture, development, and operation of platform systems that support Airwallex’s global treasury and payment products. You’ll manage and develop a high-performing engineering team, strengthening team health, execution quality, and long-term technical outcomes.

* Set technical direction, guide key architectural decisions, and deliver scalable, reliable, and high-performing services.
* Partner closely with engineering, product, and cross-functional stakeholders to shape platform strategy, prioritise effectively, and deliver capabilities aligned with customer and business needs.
* Contribute to code reviews, technical problem-solving, and critical implementation work where needed, while maintaining high standards for engineering quality, reliability, and operational excellence.
* Use data and system insights to improve platform performance, reliability, and team effectiveness.
* Set technical direction across a distributed engineering team by leading design reviews for platform-wide changes, collaborating with engineering hubs across the US, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

You’ll work from our Seoul office five days a week.

## What we're looking for

**Essentials**

* Proven experience leading high-performing engineering teams.
* Strong software engineering and system architecture background, with 8+ years of experience in modern engineering environments.
* Strong technical judgment and experience guiding teams building scalable, reliable systems.
* A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
* Strong cross-functional collaboration and execution skills.
* High ownership, sound prioritisation, and adaptability in fast-paced environments.
* A data-driven, customer-aware, and quality-focused approach.

**Preferred**

* Experience in fintech, payments, or other regulated financial domains.
* Deep experience with JVM-based ecosystems, including Java or Kotlin with Spring or Spring Boot.
* Prior experience leading teams responsible for high-availability, low-latency systems.

## You'll thrive here if

* You’re comfortable owning the roadmap yourself.
* You’re comfortable making decisions with incomplete information and moving quickly anyway.
* You’re comfortable acting as a bridge between the local team and our global colleagues, sharing context clearly and helping both sides work effectively as one team.
* You say what you mean. You’re direct, but you lead with respect.
* You can connect dots across functions and hold the big picture without losing grip on the details.

## Learn more about your team

The Global Treasury and Payment Network (GTPN) team sits at the heart of Airwallex’s payment infrastructure. As one of our foundational businesses and a major contributor to our growth, we build and operate the core treasury and payment infrastructure that powers our global financial products. We operate at the intersection of global financial infrastructure and modern product innovation, expanding the reach and capabilities of our treasury and payment network, strengthening reliability and resilience, and building innovative payment products at global scale. We’re a distributed engineering team, with talented engineers across established and emerging hubs around the world. As we continue to expand, you’ll work closely with product managers, designers, and engineers to build and evolve products and platforms that solve complex financial problems and support businesses around the world.

### 

## **Applicant Safety Policy: Fraud and Third-Party Recruiters**

_To protect you from recruitment scams, please be aware that Airwallex will not ask for bank details, sensitive ID numbers (i.e. passport), or any form of payment during the application or interview process. All official communication will come from an @_[_airwallex.com_](http://airwallex.com) _email address. Please apply only through_ [_careers.airwallex.com_](http://careers.airwallex.com) _or our official LinkedIn page._

_Airwallex does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms/recruiters. Airwallex will not pay any fees to search firms/recruiters if a candidate is submitted by a search firm/recruiter unless an agreement has been entered into with respect to specific open position(s). Search firms/recruiters submitting resumes to Airwallex on an unsolicited basis shall be deemed to accept this condition, regardless of any other provision to the contrary._

## **Equal opportunity**

Airwallex is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and anyone seeking employment at Airwallex is considered based on merit, qualifications, competence and talent. We don’t regard color, religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, citizenship, sex, marital or family status, disability, gender, or any other legally protected status when making our hiring decisions. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.