Distinguished Engineer - Java / AWS - Zelle

At Early Warning, we’ve powered and protected the U.S. financial system for over thirty years with cutting-edge solutions like Zelle®, Paze℠, and more. As a trusted name in payments, we partner with thousands of institutions to increase access to financial services and protect transactions for hundreds of millions of consumers and small businesses. Positions located in Scottsdale, San Francisco, Chicago, or New York follow a hybrid work model to foster collaboration.

About the role

This position reports to the VP of Zelle Engineering and functions as a strategic individual contributor expected to solve enterprise-wide problems in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. The Distinguished Engineer must be an expert in large-scale, enterprise systems, capable of designing, enhancing, and growing complex systems while collaborating and influencing teams and leaders to deliver multi-year projects. This role is accountable for owning enterprise-level initiatives and participating at all levels—from coding and design to security, infrastructure, and high-level roadmapping.

Responsibilities

• Leads the Zelle journey to the cloud.
• Drives best practices, architectures, and technology decisions within the Zelle organization using knowledge from building enterprise-scale cloud systems.
• Collaborates closely with Engineering leaders, Architecture, Security, and external partners (e.g., financial institutions) on key long-term efforts.
• Maintains a high bar for execution and excellence in the Engineering team, fostering leadership and executive presence; coaches team members and leaders to build a high-performing team and participates in hiring top talent.
• Identifies opportunities to deliver value to Production incrementally, avoiding “big bang” delivery in complex environments.
• Builds and delivers well-considered scaling solutions through strong relationships with Data, Architecture, and Operations stakeholders.
• Ensures software development follows effective quality guidelines and best practices aligned with the broader Engineering organization.
• Ensures accurate and reliable information is provided within company standards, including service level agreements and audit regulations.
• Ensures solutions adhere to Engineering best practices (e.g., Quality, CI/CD, scalability).
• Keeps executive-level management informed of department progress and challenges.
• Complies with all security policies and procedures to maintain the highest level of system and data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent professional experience.
• 15+ years of software engineering experience, including at least 10 years leading technology initiatives or processes.
• 5+ years of experience working with large-scale cloud systems and building application solutions using modern practices such as containerization, CI/CD, automated testing, and adherence to security guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership through large-scale system designs, upgrades, and releases.
• Superior leadership and management skills with strong business acumen.
• Proven ability to mentor and energize teams, showcasing technical and leadership skills.
• Experience with state-of-the-art technology, architecture, and design concepts, including open-source operating systems, database systems, computer networking, and security.
• Deep understanding of executing highly scalable, distributed applications in cloud environments.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional groups and drive results.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; must convey responsiveness and competence when dealing with internal customers, staff, peers, senior management, and vendors.
• Work experience demonstrating a strong sense of ownership, urgency, and drive.
• Must pass background and drug screen.
• Must independently possess eligibility to work in the United States for any employer at the date of hire; this position is ineligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with large-scale enterprises scaling operations in Amazon Web Services is highly favorable.
• Experience migrating application and data services from on-premises to the cloud.

Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily sedentary in a normal office environment, requiring extensive computer use and sitting for extended periods.
• Occasional standing, walking, kneeling, and reaching may be required.
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds occasionally.
• Requires visual acuity and dexterity to view, prepare, and manipulate documents and office equipment, including personal computers.
• Requires the ability to communicate with internal and external customers.
• Must be able to perform essential functions and physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

Pay

Base pay scale for this position:

• Phoenix, AZ / Chicago, IL: $206,000 – $275,000 USD per year.
• San Francisco, CA: $248,000 – $320,000 USD per year.

Additionally, candidates are eligible for a discretionary incentive plan and benefits. Pay is subject to change and depends on factors such as job scope, market rates, geographic location, candidate’s education, experience, training, and specialized skills, as well as internal equity.

Benefits

• Competitive healthcare coverage, including medical (PPO/HDHP), dental, and vision plans, plus company contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or pre-tax savings through flexible spending accounts (FSA) for commuting, health, and dependent care expenses.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with a 100% company safe harbor match on the first 6% deferral, immediately upon eligibility.
• Paid Time Off: Flexible Time Off for exempt (salaried) employees, generous PTO for non-exempt (hourly) employees, plus 11 paid company holidays and a paid volunteer day.
• 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave.
• Maven Family Planning support, including egg freezing, fertility, adoption, surrogacy, pregnancy, postpartum, early pediatrics, and returning to work.
• Additional benefits and programs, with ongoing enhancements to the benefits package.