Upwork

Director of Engineering, Payments

Remote

Not SpecifiedCompensation
Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Human Resources, Staffing and Recruiting, Online Marketplaces, Financial Services, BiotechnologyIndustries

Requirements

Candidates must have proven experience leading distributed engineering teams and scaling high-volume, real-time payments platforms. A strong background in cloud-native architecture, secure financial systems, and international regulatory compliance is essential. The ability to navigate ambiguity, influence stakeholders, and explore emerging technologies like Web3 with a focus on practical applications is also required. A commitment to building inclusive teams and mentoring others is necessary.

Responsibilities

The Director of Engineering for Payments will define and lead the technical strategy for the Payments platform, aligning it with product vision, compliance, and user experience goals. They will partner with cross-functional leaders to deliver secure, scalable, and cost-efficient payment solutions, overseeing architecture modernization efforts to improve payment success rates and system reliability. Responsibilities also include driving the exploration and adoption of Web3 and decentralized finance solutions, building and developing high-performing engineering teams, championing data-driven decision-making, and ensuring the Payments domain remains resilient, auditable, and compliant with global regulations.

Skills

Payments Architecture
Financial Infrastructure
Web3
Decentralized Finance
Compliance
Risk Management
Scalability
System Reliability
Transaction Costs
Payment Success Rates
Engineering Leadership
Technical Strategy
Cross-functional Collaboration

Upwork

Online platform connecting freelancers and clients

About Upwork

Upwork connects freelancers with clients looking for various services in the gig economy, which focuses on short-term contracts instead of permanent jobs. The platform allows freelancers to create profiles that showcase their skills, while clients can post job listings for specific projects. Freelancers bid on these projects, and clients choose the best candidates based on proposals and reviews. Upwork earns revenue through service fees charged to freelancers based on their earnings, with a tiered structure that rewards long-term client relationships. The platform also offers premium memberships and additional services for enhanced visibility and access to job listings. Upwork provides tools for time tracking, invoicing, and project management, making it easier for both freelancers and clients to manage their work and payments. The goal of Upwork is to facilitate successful project completion by bridging the gap between freelancers and clients.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2015Year Founded
$143.8MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Consulting, Enterprise SoftwareIndustries
10,001+Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance
Unlimited Paid Time Off
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Parental Leave
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Risks

Increased competition from Fiverr and Toptal threatens Upwork's market share.
The new Fiverr-style Project Catalog may commoditize services, reducing freelancers' perceived value.
Strategic shifts under new management may not align with current client expectations.

Differentiation

Upwork connects freelancers with clients across diverse industries, enhancing global work opportunities.
The platform offers tools like time tracking and invoicing for efficient project management.
Upwork's tiered fee structure incentivizes long-term client relationships, differentiating it from competitors.

Upsides

Upwork's acquisition of Objective AI enhances its AI capabilities for better talent matching.
The introduction of Featured Jobs increases visibility for job posts, attracting more candidates.
Upwork's recognition as the top job posting site boosts its credibility among employers.

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