Engineering Manager - Europe
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for skilled engineering managers in fintech is on the rise, with a reported 25% growth in job postings over the past year. As companies like Plaid continue to expand globally, the need for leaders who can navigate complex financial infrastructure and drive technical innovation is becoming increasingly important. With its commitment to empowering financial transformation, Plaid stands out as a pioneer in the industry. To succeed in this role, candidates should possess a deep understanding of GTM strategies, fintech trends, and European market nuances. Before applying, it's essential to consider the unique challenges and opportunities that come with leading a high-impact, cross-functional team in a rapidly evolving field.
Job Description
About the Role
The Engineering Manager - Europe at Plaid is a senior leadership role that oversees the technical and product direction for the company's European operations. As a member of the small leadership team, this position operates with a high degree of autonomy, acting as a co-owner of Plaid's European operations. The successful candidate will lead and grow a team of 9+ engineers, driving the development of Plaid's open banking platform and fostering a strong, accountable team culture.The Engineering Manager will work closely with cross-functional peers, including Product, Design, and business leaders, to decide what to build and why. This involves setting and driving the technical and product direction for Plaid in Europe, partnering with key stakeholders to shape the roadmap, and making clear trade-offs between speed, risk, and long-term investments.
Plaid's European team is responsible for localizing, scaling, and operating the bank connectivity layer that powers payments, underwriting, onboarding, and identity. This team operates at the intersection of distributed systems, financial infrastructure, and consumer UX, solving complex problems in payments reliability, data quality, regulatory complexity, and cross-market expansion.
What You Will Do
- Lead and grow a team of 9+ engineers, from mid-level to Staff, through clear goals, coaching, and direct feedback
- Set and drive the technical and product direction for Plaid in Europe, partnering closely with Product, Design, and business leaders
- Work across teams to shape the roadmap, spot high-leverage opportunities, and make clear trade-offs between speed, risk, and long-term investments
- Go deep on technical design when needed, unblocking complex problems and maintaining a high bar for quality and reliability in production
- Represent engineering in leadership discussions, helping guide business decisions and align European priorities with broader company strategy
- Collaborate with US platform teams, GTM, compliance, and operations to make Plaid the default open banking layer for global fintechs operating in Europe
- Own four core pillars: Account-to-Account Payments, Cash Flow & Income Insights for Credit, Bank Connectivity Across Europe, and Consumer Experience
- Solve hard problems in payments reliability, data quality, regulatory complexity, and cross-market expansion
- Enable fintechs to launch in new countries with minimal additional engineering effort
What We Are Looking For
- 8+ years of industry experience in engineering management or a related field
- Proven track record of leading high-performing teams and driving technical innovation
- Strong understanding of GTM strategies, fintech trends, and European market nuances
- Experience with distributed systems, financial infrastructure, and consumer UX
- Ability to set and drive technical and product direction, partnering with cross-functional stakeholders
- Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to represent engineering in leadership discussions
- Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to go deep on technical design when needed
Nice to Have
- Experience with open banking platforms and financial infrastructure
- Knowledge of European regulatory requirements and compliance
- Familiarity with Plaid's technology stack and products
- Experience with cross-functional team management, including Product, Design, and business leaders
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and equity package
- Comprehensive health insurance and benefits
- Generous PTO and remote work stipend
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
- Access to cutting-edge technology and tools
- Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance
About Plaid
Plaid is a fintech company that powers the tools millions of people rely on to live a healthier financial life. With its open banking platform, Plaid makes it easy for people to connect their financial accounts to the apps and services they want to use. Founded in 2013, the company is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in New York, Washington D.C., London, and Amsterdam.How to Stand Out
- To stand out in the application process, highlight your experience with GTM strategies, fintech trends, and European market nuances. Be prepared to discuss your approach to technical innovation and leadership.
- Make sure to showcase your problem-solving skills, particularly in the context of payments reliability, data quality, and regulatory complexity.
- Familiarize yourself with Plaid's technology stack and products, as well as the company's mission and values.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with cross-functional team management, including Product, Design, and business leaders.
- Consider creating a portfolio that demonstrates your technical expertise and leadership abilities, including case studies or examples of successful projects you've led.
- During salary negotiations, be sure to research the market rate for engineering managers in the fintech industry and be prepared to discuss your compensation expectations.
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