Director of Engineering, Payments

About Upwork

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s human and AI-powered work marketplace that connects businesses with highly skilled, AI-enabled independent talent from across the globe. From entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 enterprises, companies rely on Upwork’s trusted platform and its mindful AI companion, Uma, to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With on-demand access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, Upwork enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and build agile teams for the age of AI and beyond.

Upwork’s platform has facilitated more than $25 billion in economic opportunity for talent around the world.

Director of Engineering, Payments

As Director of Engineering for Payments, you'll lead the evolution of Upwork’s financial infrastructure, enabling seamless, reliable, and efficient transactions across a global marketplace. This is a unique opportunity to drive platform-wide impact by delivering exceptional payment experiences that empower freelancers and clients alike. You’ll guide globally distributed engineering teams, shape the future of Upwork’s payment architecture, and champion innovation in compliance, risk management, and emerging technologies, including Web3.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the technical strategy for Upwork’s Payments platform, aligning it with product vision, compliance, and user experience goals
• Partner with cross-functional leaders in Product, Design, Legal, and Finance to deliver secure, scalable, and cost-efficient payment solutions
• Oversee architecture modernization efforts to increase payment success rates, reduce transaction costs, and enhance system reliability
• Drive the exploration and adoption of Web3 and decentralized finance solutions where they create real value for our users
• Build and develop high-performing, inclusive engineering teams across geographies, instilling a culture of accountability, quality, and continuous learning
• Champion data-driven decision-making and experimentation to optimize user journeys and support business outcomes
• Ensure the Payments domain remains resilient, auditable, and compliant with global regulations and evolving financial standards

What it takes to catch our eye

• Proven experience leading distributed engineering teams and scaling high-volume, real-time payments platforms
• Strong background in cloud-native architecture, secure financial systems, and regulatory compliance across international markets
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and influence stakeholders across engineering, product, and executive leadership
• Curiosity and drive to explore emerging technologies like Web3 with a focus on practical applications
• Commitment to building inclusive teams and mentoring others to grow into technical and strategic leadership roles

About the Culture and Benefits

Come change how the world works. At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 21 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock P