Lead AI Software Engineer- AI Enablement

Our Purpose Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary Lead AI Software Engineer- AI Enablement Overview:

The Mastercard Cloud Team, in Mastercard's ONE division, owns and drives cloud usage and adoption for the company. The team has a unique opportunity to drive cloud patterns, standards, and best practices across all of Mastercard and their M&A's. The cloud team has a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of an evolving landscape of technology at Mastercard and help shape the future of development, deployment and more! This cloud engineering role is focused on building a holistic platform for Generative AI Large Language Models (LLMs).

The Role:

• Design, configure, and implement a Gen. AI platform, including MLOps/LLMOps for Gen. AI LLMs, both commercial and open source
• Ensure alignment to appropriate patterns and standards for cloud integration and automation
• Identify opportunities for reuse and Improved efficiency
• Engage with IT and Business parters, product owners and stakeholders to create meaningful roadmaps to ensure the most Important work Is prioritized
• Champion all Mastercards engineering principles
• Actively participate as a member of the Software Engineering Guild sharing your knowledge, best practices, ideas, and passion for technology
• Help Identify and drive meaningful behavior changing metrics

All About You:

• Years of professional lead software engineering experience is required with deep expertise in AWS and Azure, including AI/GenAI services (SageMaker, Bedrock, AgentCore Azure ML, Microsoft Foundry) and commercial/open source foundation models.
• Strong cloud architecture skills: services, access controls, automation, integrations, and security in regulated environments.
• Solid understanding of MCP protocol, and deployment of MCP servers at scale
• Solid understanding of AI Agents, and deployment of agents at scale, managing context window size, security controls, A2A protocol.
• Extensive GenAI/LLM experience: model evaluation, governance, tuning, API patterns, orchestration, agents, RAG, prompt engineering, chunking, embeddings, vector stores, model hubs, and fine tuned/open source models.
• Experience with AI/data platforms (Databricks, Iceberg, S3, watsonx, or similar) and GenAI developer tools (GitHub Copilot, Amazon Q, Claude).
• Solid background in AI/ML, data science, and analytics.
• Strong SRE mindset with experience building resilient, observable, automated cloud solutions.
• Proficient in web service design, containerization, ephemeral architectures, and Kubernetes (native and managed).
• Proven ability to deliver solutions in complex multi domain environments and clearly communicate technical concepts.
• Experience mentoring engineers through pairing, code reviews, and design reviews.
• Skilled in cloud native modernization and migration from legacy systems.
• Effective in navigating large organizations; strong written and verbal communication.
• Deep understanding of Agile/Scrum, Waterfall, and full SDLC processes.
• Advocates for standard software patterns, reuse of common libraries, open source contribution, and strong performance engineering practices.
• Familiar with development productivity metrics and methods to improve velocity, quality, and release frequency.
• Proficient in CDK, Bicep, and Terraform
• Confident in public speaking, presentation, and ability to articulate complex topic to wide audience.

#AI1 Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact reasonable_accommodation@mastercard.com and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly. Corporate Security Responsibility All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must: Abide by Mastercard's security policies and practices; Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed; Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard's guidelines. In line with Mastercard's total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. The base salary offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Mastercard benefits for full time (and certain part time) employees generally include: insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance); flexible spending account and health savings account; paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave); 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time, 25 days of vacation time and 5 personal days, pro-rated based on date of hire; 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays; 401k with a best-in-class company match; deferred compensation for eligible roles; fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities; eligibility for tuition reimbursement; and many more. Mastercard benefits for interns generally include: 56 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time; jury duty leave; and on-site fitness facilities in some locations.

Pay Ranges O'Fallon, Missouri:

$140,000 - $231,000 USD Everyone wants easier ways to pay; we invent them. Checkout lines are slow; we speed them along. Merchants want more sales; we give them data and insights. People need financial access; we connect them. Corporate purchasing is complicated; we make it simple. Commuters are busy; we speed them on their way. Governments need greater efficiencies; we help create them. Small businesses are virtual; we give them access to a world of buyers. Retailers want to fight fraud; we provide the tools.