Director, Engineering na Kinective

Description

Ready to be a part of the company transforming FinTech and how the world accesses banking services?
When was the last time you were excited about interacting with your bank or credit union? If the answer is “a while” then you’re in good company. Despite the fact that access to better financial choices is at the heart of empowering communities, businesses, and people, financial institutions (FIs) are struggling to keep up with modern expectations.

And that’s where Kinective comes in. We’re here to change the way the world accesses and thinks about banking through software that connects a historically “boring” industry to the latest and greatest fintechs shaping the industry.

Ok... but what does all of that actually mean? Banks and credit unions are using some pretty old-school systems, which makes adopting new and innovative technology difficult (if not impossible). If you think it’s easy for your local branch to send you a receipt via text... think again.

Want proof? As the largest provider of software connectivity to 1 in 3 U.S. financial institutions, we are the leading company transforming the way banking is done for credit unions and banks. (In fact, Forbes recently released their Best Banks in the World report, and Kinective works with over 60% of their named banks!).

Kinective is the connector (get it?) that bridges that technology gap and helps modernize the way banking works. Our 300+ team of mega-talented and passionate folks are brought together with the unifying desire to make life easier (and better) for our clients and ultimately paving the way for banks and credit unions to modernize banking for everyone. 

Cliffs Notes

We’re seeking a dynamic Director of Engineering (Data & Software) to define and execute our technological vision. This role combines deep technical expertise with strong leadership to inspire and guide engineering teams toward innovation, scale, and measurable business impact. 

You will be responsible for building and scaling our data platform, enabling AI/ML capabilities, and leading high-performing engineering teams. Partnering with product, analytics, and business stakeholders, you will unlock the value of data and machine learning to power customer experiences and drive growth. 

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of growing engineering organizations, fostering collaboration, and aligning technical strategy with company objectives. A forward-thinking mindset, strong architectural background, and passion for emerging technologies like AI/ML will be key to long-term success. This role reports directly to the VP of Engineering. 

What you’ll own:

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of software, data, and AI/ML engineering initiatives.
• Build and evolve a scalable data and machine learning platform that supports analytics, predictive models, and intelligent applications.
• Oversee engineering practices for data pipelines, model training, deployment, and monitoring.
• Develop and mentor high-performing engineering teams, driving technical excellence and professional growth.
• Partner with Product Management to define roadmaps, estimate projects, track development progress, and ensure successful launches.
• Establish technical goals and architectural standards aligned with business objectives.
• Recruit, onboard, and retain diverse technical talent while cultivating a collaborative culture.
• Collaborate with product, engineering leadership, and agile coaches to define and track KPIs for success.
• Oversee operational budgets for technology stack, infrastructure, and personnel.

What you’re great at:

• Analytical thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset and a bias for action. 
• Strong architectural and design expertise in modern software, data, and AI/ML systems. 
• Hands-on familiarity with machine learning lifecycle management (MLOps) and integrating ML into production systems. 
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and prioritization skills. 
• Skilled communicator with the ability to influence across technical and business stakeholders. 
• Builder of positive, learning-oriented team cultures that encourage innovation and ownership. 

Requirements

 
Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in software engineering, data engineering, or product development.
• 5+ years of experience leading and scaling high-performing technical teams.
• Expertise with cloud technologies (AWS preferred) and modern data/ML platforms.
• Strong familiarity with Agile methodologies, Git, JIRA, and collaborative engineering practices.
• Experience with DevOps/DevSecOps and MLOps tools.
• Proven experience applying AI/ML techniques (e.g., NLP, recommendation systems, predictive analytics) to deliver business value.
• Background in a high-growth technology company preferred.

Why Kinective?

We’re transforming our industry. You’re hopping into a rocket ship when you join the Kinective team. We have our sights set on becoming the go-to banking technology enabler, giving our customers total freedom in choosing any system, technology, or provider to scale their innovation efforts and have it integrate with their banking core. Oh, and we should mention, we’re the only ones doing that right now.

We love our customers (and they love us, too). Creating incredible customer outcomes is a unifying value at Kinective, with over a 95% customer retention rate.

All the benefits. We care about you on and off the clock, which is why we are proud to offer plenty of great benefits to choose from. A generously flexible PTO, medical, dental, vision, even pet insurance, just to name a few.

We’re cool people building cool stuff. Underneath all the banking acronyms and terminologies is a team of driven people building the future of banking. We value a workplace that allows us to work hard, be challenged, and ultimately be supported in our endeavors.

What does life at Kinective look like?

Bid adieu to snooze-fest corporate gigs. At Kinective, we believe that balance is key. We know how to have fun, and how to hit deadlines. We know how to collaborate and enjoy comradery, and how to provide feedback to help each other grow professionally.

Our culture empowers team members to take the lead, upholds integrity as our bedrock, and values trust and respect in all our operations. We believe in learning new skills, mentoring colleagues, and nurturing personal development. That’s why we seek to promote from within and give our team members the opportunity to rise with us.

Our Values

Deliver success. We strive to exceed customer expectations.

We are powered by a relentless commitment to delivering quality and service to our customers. We turn everyday interactions into positive, memorable experiences that create long-lasting Kinective ambassadors.

Grit with grace. We face problems head on, respecting others along the way.

We aren’t afraid to step outside of our comfort zone to accomplish the common goal. We believe that progress thrives on constructive dialogue and a commitment to understanding.

One Kinective. Together, we win.

By embracing a “better together” mindset, we unleash the full potential of our team and propel Kinective from good to great.

Build the future. We are driven by the pursuit of what’s possible.

Building the future requires embracing change and challenging the status quo. We believe that the best idea wins, embodying a culture of innovation.

The Team

In this role, you would be a part of the Engineering Team and reporting to our VP, Engineering.

Office Expectation

This role is HYBRID, with an expectation of 3 days a week in-office. Our hours are 8-5pm.

Compensation Range

$160,000 – $180,000

The base salary range for this role is shown above at the minimum, midpoint, and maximum. It is not typical for a candidate to be hired at or near the maximum of the range. At Kinective, base pay depends on multiple individualized factors, including a candidate’s experience, qualifications, job-related knowledge and skills, and geographic location. Compensation also reflects internal equity to ensure fairness across similar roles.

Base pay is just one part of Kinective’s Total Rewards package. Depending on the role, successful candidates may also be eligible to participate in our discretionary bonus plan, commission program, or equity offerings.

All U.S.-based Kinective employees are offered a highly competitive benefits package that demonstrates our commitment to supporting health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include:

• 401(k) plan with company contributions
• Flexible paid time off and company holidays
• Generous parental and caregiver leave
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Wellness resources and professional development opportunities

Well, you’ve made it this far...

Seems like we might be meant to be, right? If you think you’re the right fit for Kinective, go ahead and click “apply.” And, even if you’re not quite sure if you’re qualified, we encourage you to apply and we can decide together.

Take a deeper dive into all things Kinective at kinective.io

Please note that this role does not currently offer sponsorship opportunities.