The Role:Optimized Payments is seeking a Head of Platform Engineering to own and scale the core technology platform behind Harmonize, our payments analytics system of record. This leader will be responsible for end-to-end platform delivery - including front-end, back-end, and DevOps - with a mandate to improve execution speed, reliability, and scalability across the platform.
This is a
hands-on leadership role focused on driving outcomes, building strong engineering discipline, and ensuring the platform can support rapid innovation, including AI-driven capabilities.
The role requires expertise in Spring Boot, API development, and building UI/UX components in React. The leader will develop scalable Java applications and collaborate with the UI/UX team on React components. Experience with Azure DevOps for CI/CD automation and deployment is also required.
This is an Atlanta, GA based position. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.
Scope & ResponsibilitiesPlatform Ownership- Own the end-to-end architecture and delivery of the Harmonize platform
- Lead both front-end and back-end development, ensuring scalability, performance, and reliability
- Drive platform modernization and technical roadmap, aligned with business priorities
- Design, develop, and maintain RESTful APIs and microservices using Java Spring Boot
- Collaborate with UX/UI designers, backend engineers, and product managers to deliver high-quality features
Execution & Delivery- Improve speed, predictability, and quality of releases
- Establish strong engineering practices (CI/CD, testing, code quality, observability)
- Eliminate operational bottlenecks and reduce manual processes
DevOps & Infrastructure- Own DevOps, cloud infrastructure, and deployment strategy (Azure-based stack)
- Implement best practices for automation, monitoring, and uptime
- Ensure platform is secure, stable, and enterprise-ready
Team Leadership- Directly manage following onshore resources:
- Platform Engineer
- Senior Developer
- Head of Security
- Directly manage following offshore resources:
- DevOps Engineer
- Azure Cloud Engineer
- Build a high-performance engineering culture:
- Strong ownership and accountability
- Clear technical direction
- Focus on results vs activity
- Lead the Architectural Guild Council and provide architectural guidance and technical direction across all engineering teams
Cross-Functional Alignment- Partner closely with following teams - Product, Data / AI, Data Engineering.
- Ensure tight alignment between product roadmap and engineering execution
What Success Looks Like (First 6-12 Months)- Clear, simplified platform architecture and ownership model
- Faster, more reliable release cycles
- Improved platform stability and data reliability
- Strong DevOps foundation with minimal manual intervention
- Tangible progress on AI-driven features within Harmonize
- High confidence from leadership in engineering execution
Required- 10+ years in software engineering, with 5+ years in leadership roles
- Proven experience owning end-to-end platform development across frontend, backend, and infrastructure, including:
- Experience building responsive, modular front-end components using React and Next.js with modern JavaScript (ES6+)
- Experience in database design and familiarity with versioning/migration tools (such as Liquibase)
- Proficiency managing client-side state using Redux Toolkit or equivalent state management libraries
- Strong experience with cloud-native architectures (Azure preferred)
- Deep understanding of DevOps, CI/CD, and scalable system design
- Track record of improving execution velocity and engineering discipline
Preferred- Experience building data platforms or analytics systems
- Exposure to AI/ML-driven product development
- Background in payments, fintech, or high-scale data environments
Leadership Traits- High ownership - takes responsibility for outcomes, not just output
- Detail-oriented - understands what's actually happening in the system
- Execution-focused - prioritizes speed and results
- Low ego, high accountability - builds strong teams and holds the bar
- Proactive - identifies risks early and acts decisively
Why This Role MattersHarmonize is the foundation of Optimized Payments' future. This role is critical to:
- Turning engineering into a competitive advantage
- Enabling AI-driven insights at scale
- Supporting continued growth and enterprise adoption
What we offer:For Full-time Optimized Payments employees, we're offering the following benefits and perks
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Stock Options
- 401(K) Plan
- Generous PTO + Paid Holidays
- Opportunity to be part of a dynamic, fast-growing company that will double in size in two years.
- Hybrid work environment with flexibility to work from home 3 days a week.
- A collaborative and inclusive company culture where your ideas are valued.
- Free onsite covered parking and access to a full gym with showers.
