Principal Software Engineer, Data Architecture

Role

Serve as the foundational technical leader for enterprise data architecture, partnering closely with the SVP and senior technology leadership. Act as a trusted advisor to C suite and executive stakeholders, translating business strategy into scalable data architecture decisions. Define and evolve the global data architecture roadmap across hybrid (cloud + on prem) environments. Architect secure, resilient solutions that meet global regulatory and compliance mandates, including GDPR, ISO 20022, and regional data localization requirements. Champion Data Mesh principles, treating data as a product with federated ownership, governance, and self service enablement. Establish organization wide architecture standards and development best practices through the Data & Analytics Architecture Review Board. Lead the modernization of legacy data platforms to cloud native architectures across AWS, Azure, and GCP. Drive adoption of modern data technologies, including Databricks, Snowflake, Delta Lake, and streaming platforms. Enable both real time and batch analytics use cases to support high availability, mission critical workloads. Mentor and influence global engineering teams, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and thoughtful risk taking.

All About You

• Proven experience operating as a Principal Engineer or equivalent, leading enterprise scale data architecture or platform strategy.
• Deep expertise designing, building, and operating distributed data systems at global scale.
• Hands on experience with technologies such as Apache Spark, Kafka, Flink, and NiFi.
• Experience integrating AI driven capabilities into data platforms, with appropriate governance and guardrails for emerging use cases, including agentic commerce.
• Strong understanding of data governance, security, and regulatory compliance in highly regulated, global environments.
• Proven ability to lead and influence architectural initiatives within Agile, SAFe, or product centric delivery models, partnering effectively with product, engineering, and business stakeholders.
• Proven ability to influence technical and business decisions at all levels, including C-suite stakeholders.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to translate complex architecture concepts into business language.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to executive and non technical audiences.
• Strong Decency Quotient (DQ) with a track record of building inclusive, collaborative, high performing teams.

Requirements

Proven experience operating as a Principal Engineer or equivalent, leading enterprise scale data architecture or platform strategy.

Deep expertise designing, building, and operating distributed data systems at global scale.

Hands on experience with technologies such as Apache Spark, Kafka, Flink, and NiFi.

Experience integrating AI driven capabilities into data platforms, with appropriate governance and guardrails for emerging use cases, including agentic commerce.

Strong understanding of data governance, security, and regulatory compliance in highly regulated, global environments.

Proven ability to lead and influence architectural initiatives within Agile, SAFe, or product centric delivery models, partnering effectively with product, engineering, and business stakeholders.

Proven ability to influence technical and business decisions at all levels, including C-suite stakeholders.

Strong executive presence with the ability to translate complex architecture concepts into business language.

Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to executive and non technical audiences.

Strong Decency Quotient (DQ) with a track record of building inclusive, collaborative, high performing teams.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related quantitative field, or equivalent practical experience.

This role is not eligible for Mastercard’s work authorization sponsorship. As such, candidates must be eligible to work in the United States, now as well as in the future, without employer sponsorship.

Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role.

In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact reasonable_accommodation@mastercard.com and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting.

The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and;
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.

Pay

O'Fallon, Missouri: $170,000 - $281,000 USD
Arlington, Virginia: $196,000 - $323,000 USD
New York City, New York: $204,000 - $337,000 USD