Director of Engineering

WEX is on a mission to reimagine, simplify, and transform how we deliver event-driven data solutions across our enterprise. As part of this transformation, we are seeking a visionary and execution-oriented Director of Event-Driven Architecture Engineering to lead Kafka as a Service and manage the Aiven Kafka platform. You’ll guide the engineering teams responsible for architecture, deployment, and continuous enhancement of our services, ensuring WEX remains a leader in real-time data processing and event-driven solutions.

Why This Role Matters

The adoption of Kafka as a Service is critical to WEX’s ability to provide robust, scalable, and secure event-driven solutions. This role ensures the enterprise can leverage real-time data, modernize applications, and accelerate digital transformation with confidence. You will shape the technical vision, drive operational excellence, and enable high-performing engineering teams to deliver industry-leading capabilities across multiple cloud environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Strategy: Define and execute a clear technical vision for Kafka as a Service, aligning with business objectives. Lead development of scalable, resilient event-driven architecture solutions.

• Engineering & Operational Excellence: Cultivate innovation, quality, and best practices across Kafka management, CDC, and operational processes.

• Collaboration & Ecosystem Development: Partner with platform adoption directors, internal teams, and external partners to drive adoption and enhancements. Stay current on industry trends.

• Platform Security & Data Integrity: Implement security measures and ensure compliance with PCI, PHI, HIPAA, and data governance standards.

• Innovation & Technology Partnerships: Drive platform innovation and foster strategic relationships with vendors and technology partners.

• Performance Metrics & Continuous Improvement: Establish KPIs for platform and team performance and leverage insights for ongoing improvements.

• Cloud Expertise: Manage high-throughput services across AWS, Azure, and GCP.

What We’re Looking For

• 10+ years of software engineering leadership, preferably in event-driven architecture, Kafka, and CDC.

• Proven experience managing high-availability, scalable event-driven systems.

• Deep understanding of Kafka as a Service, including Aiven Kafka platform management, CDC, data streaming, and processing.

• Strong problem-solving skills to create cohesive, enterprise-level data streaming platforms.

• Exceptional leadership qualities with experience mentoring and developing engineering teams.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field; Master’s preferred.

Bonus Points For

• Experience delivering Kafka-based solutions at scale.

• Hands-on experience with enterprise data streaming platforms or event-driven infrastructure.

• Familiarity with multi-cloud integrations and high-throughput data services.

Why Join Us?

This role sits at the heart of WEX’s event-driven data strategy—shaping the systems that power real-time analytics and intelligent decision-making across the enterprise. You will lead the development of innovative Kafka-based services, manage a talented engineering team, and help drive WEX’s digital transformation, delivering measurable business impact while fostering team growth and innovation

The base pay range represents the anticipated low and high end of the pay range for this position. Actual pay rates will vary and will be based on various factors, such as your qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role. Base pay is one component of WEX's total compensation package. Most sales positions are eligible for commission under the terms of an applicable plan. Non-sales roles are typically eligible for a quarterly or annual bonus based on their role and applicable plan. WEX's comprehensive and market competitive benefits are designed to support your personal and professional well-being. Benefits include health, dental and vision insurances, retirement savings plan, paid time off, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, and more. For more information, check out the "About Us" section.Pay Range: $188,000.00 - $250,000.00