Engineering Manager - Data Partner Experience

24.3 billion by 2025, the need for skilled engineering managers who can bridge technical and business aspects is on the rise. This role stands out for its focus on empowering a transformation in financial interactions. What makes Plaid unique is its dedication to unlocking financial freedom for everyone, and as such, it seeks a diverse team of driven individuals. Before applying, candidates should be aware of the high demand for strong systems design, architectural judgment, and experience in shipping customer-facing products.

## About the Role The Engineering Manager - Data Partner Experience at Plaid is a pivotal role that entails leading a team of engineers in building the products and platform that data partners use to manage their integrations with Plaid. This role is crucial as it directly impacts Plaid's data quality, partner satisfaction, and the speed at which new institutions come online. The successful candidate will have significant autonomy, reporting to the Engineering Lead for the entire organization.

The DPX team, where this role resides, is responsible for everything from initial onboarding to long-term sustainability of financial institutions within the Plaid network. This includes managing critical surfaces and lifecycles, ensuring a seamless and high-quality experience for partners. The goal is ambitious, with targets including 20x growth in partner adoption and 10x faster onboarding.

The Engineering Manager will be part of a team that is dedicated to making the financial ecosystem more equitable. Plaid's mission to unlock financial freedom for everyone is at the heart of this role, requiring a candidate who not only has the technical expertise but also a passion for making a difference in people's financial lives.

## What You Will Do - Own the technical execution and delivery for the DPX roadmap, focusing on key initiatives such as the Data Partner Dashboard, onboarding redesign, health monitoring, and migration tooling.

• Manage and grow a team of engineers across multiple locations, promoting a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
• Partner with Product Management and cross-functional teams including Solutions Engineering, Data Partnerships, and Data Partner Support to align on priorities and ensure unblocked execution.
• Drive engineering quality through code reviews, design reviews, architectural decisions, and reliability standards.
• Hire and develop engineers, focusing on growing their skills and expertise to meet the evolving needs of Plaid and its partners.
• Establish team processes and norms that promote efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify and mitigate technical risks, ensuring the stability and security of Plaid's infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation to ensure knowledge sharing and ease of onboarding for new team members.
• Represent the DPX team in technical discussions and decisions, providing expertise and guidance on data partner experience and technical infrastructure.

## What We Are Looking For - 6+ years of engineering experience, with 1.5 to 2 years of experience in managing engineering teams.

• Proven experience in shipping customer-facing or partner-facing products, with a strong understanding of the complexities and challenges involved.
• Strong systems design and architectural judgment, with the ability to make informed technical decisions that balance short-term needs with long-term goals.
• A track record of growing engineers and building team culture, with a focus on mentorship, feedback, and continuous learning.
• Excellent communication skills, especially with non-engineering partners, to ensure that technical plans and progress are clearly understood and supported.
• Experience with API platforms, developer tooling, fintech, or partner ecosystems is a significant plus.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to dive deep into technical issues and collaborate with the team to resolve them.

## Nice to Have - Experience with cloud-based technologies and infrastructure.

• Knowledge of financial systems, banking, and related technologies.
• Familiarity with data analytics and visualization tools to support data-driven decision making.
• Certification in engineering management or a related field.

## Benefits and Perks - Competitive salary and equity package.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible PTO policy to ensure a healthy work-life balance.
• Remote work stipend to support your home office setup.
• Professional development opportunities, including conferences, training, and education assistance.
• Access to a diverse and inclusive community of professionals passionate about making a difference in the financial ecosystem.
• Opportunities for growth and advancement within the company, as Plaid continues to expand and evolve.

- Tip 1: Highlight your experience with Excel in your resume and cover letter, as it's a key skill for this role. Be prepared to give specific examples of how you've used Excel to drive business outcomes.

• Tip 2: Showcase your ability to communicate technical ideas to non-technical stakeholders. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms to demonstrate your skill in this area.
• Tip 3: Emphasize your experience in managing and growing engineering teams. Be ready to discuss your approach to mentorship, feedback, and creating a positive team culture.
• Tip 4: Prepare to discuss your experience with customer-facing or partner-facing products. Think about how you can apply your knowledge of these products to the DPX team's goals and challenges.
• Tip 5: Research Plaid's mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your own values and approach to work align with theirs. This will show your passion for the company's mission and your potential for long-term fit.
• Tip 6: Consider creating a portfolio or samples of your work that demonstrate your technical skills and experience. This could include code samples, design documents, or case studies of successful projects you've led.
• Tip 7: During the interview, ask thoughtful questions about the team, the role, and the company's vision for the future. This will show your interest in the position and your willingness to learn and grow with Plaid.