Northern Trust

Global Head of Platform Engineering

Northern Trust • $240K — $375K *
Chicago, IL 60629In-Person
Enterprise Technology
15+ years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
  • 20+ years of software engineering experience, including 5+ years in a technical leadership role.
  • Strong background in platform engineering, DevOps, and infrastructure.
  • Ability to influence without direct authority and drive efficiency using data and metrics.
  • Demonstrated experience in product management for internal engineering platforms and translating business needs into strategies.
  • Knowledge of emerging technologies, modern CI/CD practices, and agile delivery.

Responsibilities

  • Own the full developer experience across the software development lifecycle by collaborating with application engineering leaders.
  • Design and maintain DevSecOps pipelines for reliable software delivery while ensuring platform stability.
  • Deliver and analyze developer productivity metrics from various systems.
  • Develop AI solutions to improve the software delivery process.
  • Maintain shared engineering tools and services, ensuring they meet current standards.
  • Lead product management activities to define the roadmap for engineering platforms in conjunction with stakeholders.
  • Partner with various teams to implement best practices into shared platforms and tools.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive retirement benefits including 401k and pension.
  • Health and welfare benefits including medical, dental, and vision plans.
  • Paid time off and parental or caregiver leave.
  • Life and accident insurance options.
  • Access to a discretionary bonus program, potentially including equity.
Full Job Description
The global lead for Platform Engineering leads the strategy, development, and operationalization of shared developer tools and foundational services used across Global Engineering and the BU CIO Engineering teams. The role reports to the Global Head of Engineering and is accountable for improving engineering consistency, scalability, security, and reliability by delivering high-quality shared tools and services.

Key responsibilities of the role include:
  • Own the end-to-end developer experience across build, test, deployment, and runtime by partnering with application engineering leaders across Engineering and BU CIO to understand needs, identify opportunities, and reduce friction across the software development lifecycle.
  • Design, build, and maintain DevSecOps integrations and pipelines to enable efficient, reliable, and predictable software delivery across the firm while ensuring platform stability and resilience.
  • Deliver developer productivity and flow metrics by collecting, integrating, and maintaining data and analytics across disparate systems.
  • Design, build, and maintain AI agents that support the end-to-end SDLC and contribute to more predictable, efficient software delivery.
  • Maintain common shared services and tools, including API gateways, Confluence, and other core engineering platforms.
  • Maintain current and approved open-source libraries and dependencies.
  • Lead the product management function for Platform Engineering by defining the vision, roadmap, and priorities for shared engineering platforms and services in partnership with engineering leaders and key stakeholders.
  • Drive adoption of common standards, tools, and practices across Global Engineering and BU CIO, including:
    • Establish standards for tooling, platform usage, and service reliability.
    • Modernize legacy engineering tools and workflows.
    • Implement and standardize agile delivery practices in partnership with Scaled Agile coaches, including:
      • Establish tools, technologies, standards, and best practices to accelerate agile delivery.
      • Own execution of the agile operating model in partnership with Scaled Agile coaches, and continuously adapt processes to improve performance, efficiency, and outcomes.
      • Enhance software engineering productivity through continuous integration and delivery, automation, and innovation.
      • Drive adoption of agile practices and outcomes through tooling, enablement, and measurement.
  • Partner closely with Security, SRE, Risk, Control, and Architecture teams to embed best practices into shared tooling and platforms.
  • Measure and improve engineering productivity using qualitative feedback and quantitative metrics such as DORA and cycle time.
  • Improve the stability of tools and platforms to increase developer productivity and enhance the overall developer experience.
  • Partner with the business and key technology stakeholders to transform the software delivery platform by infusing modern methods and tools, including AI, to drive efficiency and improve speed to market for the Engineering and BU CIO teams.
  • Be accountable for platform delivery metrics, including stability, velocity, and other measures that demonstrate the success of the platform.


Skills/Qualifications:
  • Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
  • Experience:
    • 20+ years of software engineering experience, including 5+ years in a technical leadership role.
    • Strong background in platform engineering, DevOps, and infrastructure.
  • Competencies:
    • Influence without authority by motivating, inspiring, and guiding others toward defined outcomes without direct reporting relationships.
    • Drive efficiency and results by using data and metrics to set priorities, optimize productivity, and deliver high-quality business outcomes.
    • Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to solve complex challenges within matrixed teams and fixed resource constraints.
    • Strong business acumen, with the ability to understand how the business creates value and translate strategy and requirements into high-quality solutions.
    • Demonstrated experience applying product management disciplines to internal engineering platforms, including vision setting, roadmap development, prioritization, and stakeholder alignment.
    • Ability to translate business, developer, and platform needs into a clear product strategy, measurable outcomes, and an actionable backlog.
  • Knowledge:
    • Emerging technology trends, including AI, automation, and intelligent workflows.
    • Modern CI/CD practices, cloud-native architectures, and automation tools.
    • Agile engineering and delivery practices.
    • Security frameworks (for example, NIST) and data protection and privacy requirements.
    • SDLC governance and technical debt management.
    • SaaS ecosystems and application portfolio rationalization and modernization.
    • IT operations and service management, including incident management, reliability, disaster recovery, and business continuity.
    • Financial services domain knowledge, including products, services, data, and applications.
    • Awareness of risk, control, and regulatory requirements relevant to financial services technology.


The successful candidate will benefit from having:
  • Experience with application modernization, DevOps, and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE).
  • Experience leading teams through change at scale.


Salary Range:
$240,000 - 375,000

Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust is a global leader in delivering innovative investment management, asset and fund administration, and fiduciary and banking solutions to corporations, institutions, and affluent individuals. They have evolved with the changing needs of their clients and their world.

Northern Trust Careers

Joining Northern Trust means becoming part of a global financial services institution that is dedicated to providing expert guidance and innovative solutions to its clients. At Northern Trust, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of leadership, diversity, and innovation, which makes us a premier destination for career growth in the financial industry.

Work You’ll Do

At Northern Trust, you will collaborate with some of the most talented professionals in the financial sector. Our team is committed to excellence and equipped with a diverse range of skills that contribute to our dynamic environment. Here, you will have the opportunity to lead projects that transform our services and drive significant value for our clients across the globe.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you are starting your career or looking to make a significant impact in the financial industry, Northern Trust offers a variety of job opportunities and internships that will help you achieve your professional goals. From entry-level positions to leadership roles, our company is actively hiring individuals who are passionate, curious, and driven to excel.

Innovative Work

Northern Trust is at the forefront of financial innovation. Our employees are encouraged to think creatively and leverage cutting-edge technologies to solve complex problems. By joining our team, you will work on pioneering solutions that redefine the standards of financial services.

Be Part of a Great Team

Our team at Northern Trust is more than just a group of employees – we are a community. We value collaboration, and our culture is built on mutual respect and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Working with us, you will experience a supportive network that is passionate about sharing knowledge and ideas.

Future-Proof Your Career

Northern Trust is dedicated to your professional development. We offer comprehensive benefits, diversity training, and numerous resources to help you grow your career. With our support, you can expand your skills, gain valuable experience, and achieve professional certifications that will enhance your career trajectory.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team

Discover the perfect role for you at Northern Trust by exploring our current job openings that match your skills and interests. We are looking for professionals who are solution-driven and eager to contribute to our legacy of financial excellence.

Keep Up to Date

Stay informed with the latest career tips, industry insights, and professional growth opportunities—all available through our careers blog. At Northern Trust, we ensure that our team members are always ahead in the industry.

Job Alert Emails

Customize your experience by subscribing to job alerts and insider tips tailored to your preferences. At Northern Trust, exciting and rewarding opportunities are always on the horizon, and we are eager to see where your talents can take us. Join Northern Trust today and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and a diverse and inclusive workplace. Here, every position is a chance to contribute to something bigger and to turn your job into a meaningful career.
Learn more about Northern Trust
Size
21,100 employees
Market Cap
$18.1 billion
Industry
Finance & Insurance
Net Income
$1.2 billion
Founded
1889
5 Year Trend
+4.9%
Revenue
$6.1 billion
NASDAQ
NTRS
* Ladders Estimates

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