Engineering Manager - Payment Risk

Plaid3 weeks ago

Location

San Francisco

Type

Full Time

Salary

USD 250,000 – 375,000

Level

Manager

Role

Engineering Manager

Posted

Feb 23, 2026

Full TimeManager

The role

Summary

Plaid is seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to lead the Payment Risk team, responsible for developing critical infrastructure and AI-driven risk management systems that power financial technology solutions. The ideal candidate will drive technical strategy, build high-performing teams, and create robust systems that protect financial transactions across Plaid's extensive network of financial institutions.

What you'll do

Technical Strategy: Set and execute comprehensive technical strategy across systems, data, and ML infrastructure for the Payment Risk team

Team Leadership: Hire, mentor, and grow engineering talent across various seniority levels, establishing a high-performance team culture

Goal Setting: Establish and achieve ambitious goals that deliver significant value to customers and build robust technological foundations

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Manage team processes, facilitate micro and macro-level execution, and collaborate effectively across different functions and teams

Infrastructure Development: Lead the development of infrastructure and systems powering both offline and online components of the Signal Risk Platform

What we look for

Technical

Distributed SystemsDeep experience with distributed architecture and complex system design

Machine Learning InfrastructureAdvanced knowledge of ML and data infrastructure technologies

API DevelopmentExpertise in designing and building scalable, high-performance APIs

Education

Computer ScienceBachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field preferred

Experience

Engineering ManagementMinimum 2+ years of engineering management experience with substantial software engineering background

Team BuildingProven track record of building and growing high-performing engineering teams

Product OwnershipExperience owning production products and collaborating with product managers to drive business impact

Skills

Required skills

Distributed Systems ArchitectureAdvanced understanding of designing and managing complex, scalable system architectures

Machine LearningStrong knowledge of ML technologies, model development, and data infrastructure

Engineering LeadershipDemonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and grow high-performing engineering teams

Nice to have

Fintech ExperiencePrior experience in financial technology or risk management platforms

AI/ML Product DevelopmentExperience developing AI and machine learning-driven product solutions

Compensation & benefits

Salary

USD 250,000 – 375,000 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Health Insurance

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

Stock Options

Equity compensation to share in the company's growth

401(k) Plan

Retirement savings plan with company matching

Professional Development

Budget for conferences, training, and continuous learning

Parental Leave

Generous paid parental leave policy

Interview process

1
Initial Screening — Phone or video call with recruiting team to discuss background and experience
2
Technical Leadership Interview — In-depth discussion of engineering management experience, leadership philosophy, and technical expertise
3
System Design Challenge — Technical interview focusing on distributed systems design and risk management architecture
4
Team Fit Interview — Meetings with potential team members to assess collaboration and leadership potential
5
Final Leadership Interview — Discussion with senior engineering leadership about strategic vision and team development