American Express

Vice President, Engineering, API Gateways, Secure File Transfer & Agentic Platforms

American Express$180K — $220K *
Enterprise Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 12+ years of software engineering experience; 5+ years in senior leadership roles
  • Proven track record leading large-scale, enterprise platform engineering teams
  • Deep experience with API platforms like Apigee and AWS API Gateway
  • Expertise in Secure File Transfer / Managed File Transfer systems
  • Strong background in distributed systems and cloud platforms (AWS and GCP)
  • Proficiency with DevOps, CI/CD, and Kubernetes

Responsibilities

  • Set vision for next-gen integration platforms
  • Define and execute the strategic roadmap for API Gateway and Secure File Transfer
  • Build and scale platforms for autonomous, multi-step workflows
  • Champion a culture of engineering excellence and continuous improvement
  • Oversee design and operation of globally distributed platforms
  • Embed security-by-design principles across workflows
  • Own platform reliability with clear SLAs, SLOs, and SLIs

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead engineering at a major financial institution
  • Focus on innovation and continuous improvement
  • Collaborative environment with cross-functional teams
  • Development opportunities in a highly regulated industry
  • Potential for visa sponsorship based on business needs
Full Job Description
Job Description

We are looking for a Vice President of Engineering to lead our API Gateways and Secure File Transfer (SFT) platforms. This role is critical to evolving how systems, services, and intelligent agents securely interact-powering high-volume, real-time, and event-driven data exchange across payments, partner integrations, and regulatory environments.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

  • Set Vision for Next-Gen Integration Platforms


  • Define and execute the strategic roadmap for API Gateway, Secure File Transfer, and agentic communication platforms


  • Enable secure, policy-driven interactions between services, partners, and AI/agent-based systems


  • Advance American Express's transition to cloud-native, event-driven, and zero-trust architectures


  • Enable Agentic Communication & Flows


  • Build and scale platforms that support autonomous, multi-step workflows across APIs, events, and file-based systems


  • Establish patterns for agent-to-agent and agent-to-system communication, including orchestration, state management, and observability


  • Ensure governance, guardrails, and auditability for AI-driven or agentic transactions and decision flows


  • Partner with AI/ML and product teams to operationalize secure, reliable agentic capabilities at enterprise scale


  • Lead World-Class Engineering Teams


  • Build, lead, and inspire a diverse organization of engineering leaders and engineers


  • Champion a culture of engineering excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement


  • Drive talent development, succession planning, and inclusive leadership practices


  • Deliver Secure, Scalable Architecture


  • Oversee design and operation of highly available, low-latency, and globally distributed platforms


  • Evolve API management capabilities including traffic control, authentication, authorization, and observability


  • Modernize SFT capabilities across managed file transfer, encryption, orchestration, and auditability


  • Champion Security, Compliance & Trust


  • Embed security-by-design principles across APIs, file transfer, and agentic workflows


  • Ensure compliance with standards such as PCI DSS, SOC, GDPR, and regional regulations


  • Implement strong controls for identity, data protection, and agent behavior governance


  • Drive Operational Excellence


  • Own platform reliability with clear SLAs, SLOs, and SLIs


  • Advance observability across APIs, file transfers, and agent-driven workflows


  • Optimize cost, performance, and scalability across hybrid and cloud environment


  • Collaborate Across the Enterprise


  • Partner with Product, Cybersecurity, AI/ML, Infrastructure, and Business teams to align priorities


  • Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on platform strategy and emerging technologies


  • Engage with external partners, fintechs, and vendors as needed


Qualifications

Qualifications

  • 12+ years of software engineering experience with 5+ years in senior leadership roles (Director/VP)


  • Proven track record leading large-scale, enterprise platform engineering teams


  • Deep experience with API platforms (e.g., Apigee, Kong, AWS API Gateway, or custom solutions)


  • Experience with Secure File Transfer / Managed File Transfer (MFT) systems


Technical Expertise

  • Strong background in distributed systems, microservices, and cloud platforms (AWS and GCP preferred)


  • Expertise in API security (OAuth2, OpenID Connect, mTLS, rate limiting, WAF)


  • Knowledge of data exchange protocols (SFTP, FTPS, HTTPS, AS2)


  • Experience with event-driven architectures, workflow orchestration, and service meshes


  • Familiarity with agentic frameworks, orchestration engines, or AI-driven workflow systems (preferred but not required)


  • Proficiency with DevOps, CI/CD, Kubernetes, and Infrastructure as Code


Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in financial services or other highly regulated industries


  • Exposure to zero-trust architectures and modern identity frameworks


  • Experience enabling autonomous workflows, intelligent automation, or AI-integrated platforms


  • Track record of improving developer experience and platform adoption at scale


Leadership Skills

  • Enterprise mindset with a strong focus on security, resilience, and customer trust


  • Ability to balance innovation (including AI/agentic systems) with risk management


  • Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills


  • Data-driven decision maker with a bias for action and accountability


Depending on factors such as business unit requirements, the nature of the position, cost, and application laws, American Express may provide visa sponsorship for certain positions

About American Express

Amex provides industrial services to the coatings and linings sector, providing support for commercial, industrial, and maritime projects such as petrochemical, power, and water treatment industries. They offer painting services for steel structures, storage tank linings and coatings, pipelines, floors, and marine vessels such as ships, tugboats, and barges.

American Express Careers

Join the vibrant team at American Express, a global leader in financial services, and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and diversity. At American Express, we offer more than just job opportunities; we provide a platform for professional growth and a chance to be part of a culture that is committed to excellence and inclusive growth. Work You’ll Do At American Express, we are dedicated to helping our employees reach their full potential. With a variety of career paths available in areas such as technology, marketing, finance, and customer service, American Express is the perfect place to advance your career. Our team is composed of highly skilled professionals who thrive on innovation and collaboration. Join our team and contribute to a company known for its prestigious history of leadership in the credit card industry. Engage in meaningful work that makes a real impact on our global scale business operations. American Express Leadership and Development Programs We believe in nurturing the leadership skills of our employees with extensive training programs and leadership development opportunities. Our commitment to professional growth is evident in our comprehensive benefits package that supports both personal and professional development. Internship Opportunities Start your career with an internship at American Express and gain valuable industry experience. Our internships offer a chance to develop skills, work on challenging projects, and learn from leaders in the industry. Interns at American Express are considered integral members of the team and are given responsibilities that provide a real insight into their future career paths. Diversity and Inclusion At American Express, diversity and inclusion are at the core of our company culture. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and inclusive environment where every employee feels valued and inspired. We offer diversity training programs that empower our employees to thrive and lead in a global marketplace. Networking and Innovation Our employees enjoy unparalleled opportunities for networking and personal growth through our global connections and innovative projects. American Express encourages a culture of innovation that helps propel our company and your career forward. Career Benefits and Growth American Express is dedicated to the growth of its employees. We offer competitive benefits, including health, retirement plans, and family leave, ensuring that our team members have the support they need to succeed both at work and in their personal lives. Join Our Team Explore the job opportunities and open positions at American Express. We are continuously hiring talented individuals who are passionate about their careers and interested in working for a company that offers a dynamic and supportive environment. Stay Connected Keep up to date with the latest from American Express Careers by following our career blog and signing up for job alert emails. Tailor your subscription to receive updates that match your skills and interests. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at American Express. SEARCH AMERICAN EXPRESS JOBS Whether you are looking for a full-time position, an internship, or a leadership opportunity, American Express offers a path to a rewarding career. Join us and make a difference with your passion, creativity, and drive.
Learn more about American Express
Size
64,000 employees
Market Cap
$108.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.1 billion
Founded
1850
5 Year Trend
+3.5%
Revenue
$37 billion
NASDAQ

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