CardWorks

VP, Application Development

CardWorks$150K — $180K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of experience leading engineering teams in financial services or fintech
  • Strong technical depth in architecture, systems design, and performance
  • Proven track record of shipping production-grade systems at scale
  • Experience with AI/ML or AI-enabled financial systems
  • Solid understanding of high-throughput, low-latency systems
  • Commitment to operational excellence and production reliability
  • Strong communication skills to align cross-functional teams

Responsibilities

  • Lead and grow a high-performing engineering team
  • Drive delivery of scalable and secure financial platforms
  • Embed AI strategically into products and processes
  • Collaborate with Product, Data, and Business leaders
  • Innovate while maintaining production stability
  • Ensure architecture, code quality, and operational excellence
  • Create a thriving and engaging engineering culture
  • Coach engineers into technical leaders

Benefits

  • Competitive Pay, including a Bonus Target
  • Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical, Dental, and Vision
  • 401(k) Plan with Company Match
  • Short- & Long-Term Disability
  • Wellness Programs
  • Group Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Paid Vacation and Sick Days
  • Employee Engagement Activities and Recognition Programs
Full Job Description
Role Overview & Impact:

We're looking for a VP level Engineering Manager who can lead strong engineers, ship high-impact systems, and help shape the future of financial technology-with AI at the core. This is not a "keep the lights on" role. It's for someone who thrives at the intersection of engineering excellence, financial complexity, and emerging AI capabilities.

We want someone who moves fast, thinks big, and keeps production systems stable and reliable for customers.

We're looking for a builder-someone who doesn't just manage systems, but continuously evolves and improves them. Someone with a passion for innovation, experimentation, and pushing what's possible, while bringing energy, curiosity, and a genuine love of solving hard problems. If you're excited to build high-performing teams and drive innovation without sacrificing reliability, this role is for you.

What you'll own:
  • Lead and grow a high-performing engineering team building mission-critical financial systems
  • Drive delivery of scalable, resilient, and secure platforms that power real money movement
  • Strategically embed AI into our products and processes, from smarter automation to next-gen financial insights
  • Partner closely with Product, Data, Cyber and Business leaders to turn ideas into shipped solutions
  • Balance speed and stability, innovate aggressively without compromising production integrity
  • Own engineering rigor: architecture, code quality, observability, and operational excellence
  • Create a culture where engineers thrive: high trust, high ownership, and having fun
  • Coach and mentor engineers into technical leaders and problem-solvers
  • Continuously improve how we build: CI/CD, testing, deployment, and AI-assisted development workflows


What you'll bring:
  • 7+ years of experience leading engineering teams in financial services, fintech, or complex transactional systems
  • Strong technical depth across architecture, systems design, performance, and reliability
  • Proven track record of shipping and operating production-grade systems at scale
  • Experience building or delivering alongside AI/ML or AI-enabled systems, ideally within financial workflows (risk, fraud, automation, analytics)
  • Solid understanding of high-throughput, low-latency systems and modern cloud architectures and data platforms
  • Deep commitment to operational excellence and production reliability
  • Ability to navigate ambiguity, move quickly, and make sound engineering decisions
  • Strong communicator who can align engineers, executives, and cross-functional partners


#INDHP1

Why join us

We believe in putting people first by supporting our customers, employees and our partners while creating opportunities for everyone to reach their potential. From fostering work-life balance to rewarding good work and innovative ideas, we invest in what matters most, our people.

At Merrick Bank, you'll be part of a collaborative, customer-focused team where you can grow your career while making a meaningful impact.

Our Employee Value Proposition
  • Competitive Pay, including a Bonus Target or Variable Pay Incentive Program
  • Benefits Package -Medical, Dental, and Vision (plus much more)
  • 401(k) Plan with Company Match
  • Short- & Long-Term Disability
  • Wellness Programs
  • Group Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Paid Vacation, Sick Days and bank Holidays
  • Employee Engagement Activities including Employee Appreciation Day, DEI Employee Resource Groups, Corporate Social Responsibility, Service Recognition


We offer a total rewards package comprised of a competitive base rate of pay, variable pay incentive programs based on the role, and a comprehensive benefit suite. Offered rates of pay are determined based on job-related knowledge, relevant experience, skills, certifications, and geographic location.

About CardWorks

CardWorks is a financial services company that provides a range of credit card and loan products to consumers. The company was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut. CardWorks offers credit cards, personal loans, and merchant services through its various subsidiaries, including Merrick Bank, Continental Finance, and Genesis Financial Solutions. The company has a focus on serving consumers with less-than-perfect credit, and its products are designed to help customers build or rebuild their credit scores. CardWorks has over 1,000 employees and is committed to providing excellent customer service and innovative financial solutions.
Learn more about CardWorks
Size
1,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1987

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