Senior Director, Software Engineering: Colony

About the role

Join Walmart as a Senior Director of Engineering, leading Code Puppy, a flagship capability within our AI & Data organization. In this role, you will enable 2.5M+ global associates—from data scientists to business “citizen developers”—to go from idea to AI-powered solution quickly, safely, and cost-effectively.

What you'll do...

• Define and execute the long-term vision and roadmap for Code Puppy as a foundational AI builder platform.
• Align platform capabilities with the AI & Data enterprise strategy and platform approach.
• Ensure Code Puppy integrates seamlessly with enterprise data, AI foundations, governance, and customer/product intelligence layers.
• Balance innovation with enterprise-grade reliability, security, and compliance.
• Establish architectural standards for distributed systems, AI pipelines, agent-based workflows, and developer tooling.
• Govern design reviews across backend, AI, and forward-deployed implementations.
• Drive cloud-native, API-first, and platform-centric design principles.
• Embed guardrails, governance, and human-in-the-loop patterns into platform design.
• Partner closely with AI Governance and Enterprise Data teams to ensure safe, compliant, and cost-effective AI deployment.
• Standardize patterns for agent builders and AI-assisted engineering workflows.
• Define reliability targets, SLOs, and operational KPIs for Code Puppy as a mission-critical internal platform.
• Elevate DevOps maturity, release management, observability, and cost optimization.
• Ensure predictable delivery across a portfolio of cross-functional initiatives.
• Serve as a senior advisor to AI & Data, Global Tech, and business leadership.
• Translate complex AI and platform trade-offs into clear business outcomes.
• Drive adoption through close partnership with product, data, governance, and field teams.
• Build and develop a high-performing team across engineering, data science, and program management.
• Coach Distinguished Engineers and Principal Data Scientists as technical multipliers.
• Create a culture of experimentation, measurable impact, and inclusive leadership.
• Foster an AI-first mindset across engineering practices.

Key Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience, including leading platform or AI-enabled product organizations.
• Proven experience leading senior individual contributors (Principal and Distinguished-level engineers).
• Deep expertise in distributed systems, cloud-native architecture, and AI/ML productionization.
• Experience building internal platforms or developer ecosystems at enterprise scale.
• Demonstrated success embedding responsible AI and governance frameworks.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at VP and SVP levels.
• Passion for building diverse teams and developing next-generation technology leaders.

Why This Role Matters

Code Puppy is central to Walmart’s AI-first transformation—enabling associates across the enterprise to build AI-driven solutions safely and at scale. This role will shape how innovation happens inside the world’s largest company.

Minimum Qualifications

• Option 1: Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 7 years’ experience in software engineering or related area.
• Option 2: 9 years’ experience in software engineering or related area. 4 years’ supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 5 years' experience in software engineering or related area.
• We value candidates with a background in creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly.