Director of Engineering

This role requires relocation to HCMC, Vietnam (relocation assistance provided)

Description

We're looking for a 
Director of Engineering
 to lead our engineering organization and align technical strategy with business objectives.

In this role, you will guide and empower high-performing teams to deliver scalable, high-quality software solutions that drive growth and innovation. You'll ensure technical excellence through strong leadership, sound architectural direction, and modern engineering practices. Beyond day-to-day execution, you'll establish a forward-looking technology roadmap that supports the company's long-term vision, fosters continuous improvement, and positions our products and platforms for sustainable success.

Main responsibilities:

• Lead and direct the engineering teams responsible for developing and maintaining the lending technology platforms. Ensure they have the necessary skills, training and support to effectively work with the selected technologies and tools
• Communicates and aligns with stakeholders such as business, product, vendors and other technology leaders to ensuring the engineering stack choice align with business outcomes, architectural principles and organisational goals
• Define a clear and forward-looking technology strategy and roadmap
• Research, evaluate and select technologies, frameworks and tools with proof of concepts and pilot to assess their suitability - champion these and new ways of working such as AI first teams
• Establish governance processes and guidelines to support engineering practices, technology adoption, application lifecycle whilst also ensuring compliance with security, performance and maintenance standards
• Facilitate adoption and effective utilisation of the engineering stack across the group. Including training, documentation, support as well as fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the engineering leads

Requirements

Education and Qualifications

• Professional certifications in relevant areas, such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, PMP (Project Management Professional), or agile methodologies (e.g., Scrum Master), would be advantageous.

Professional Experience

• 10+ years of experience in software engineering or technology development
  , with at least 
  5-8 years in a leadership or managerial role
   (e.g., Engineering Manager, Head of Engineering).
• Proven track record in the
  lending domain.
   Such as in-depth understanding of lending operations that could include loan origination, underwriting, credit risk assessment, portfolio management, and collections strategies, with experience in optimizing these processes through technology to improve efficiency and reduce default rates in emerging markets.
• Hands-on experience with fintech business models, particularly in integrating lending platforms with payment gateways, third-party data providers for credit scoring (e.g., alternative data sources like mobile usage), and analytics tools for customer segmentation and personalized lending products to drive revenue growth and financial inclusion.
• Proven track record in leading cross-functional engineering teams in a fast-paced environment, ideally in fintech, digital banking, or scalable tech product development.
• Experience in building and scaling technology platforms, including hands-on involvement in full software development lifecycles (from requirements gathering to deployment and maintenance).
• Prior exposure to international or multi-country operations, with an understanding of emerging markets (bonus for experience in Southeast Asia or Vietnam-specific tech ecosystems).

Technical Skills

• Strong expertise in modern software architectures, cloud computing (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), microservices, and DevOps practices.
• Proficiency in programming languages and tools relevant to the company's focus, such as 
  Java, Python, or JavaScript
  frameworks, along with knowledge of data analytics, AI/ML integration, and security protocols for financial systems.
• Familiarity with agile methodologies, CI/CD pipelines, and tools like Kubernetes, Docker, or Terraform for infrastructure management.
• Understanding of regulatory compliance in fintech, such as data privacy (GDPR equivalents) and cybersecurity standards.

Leadership and Soft Skills

• Leading the lending domain from a technology and delivery perspective (personal lending, merchant lending, credit card etc) with over 100 engineers
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, hire, and develop high-performing engineering teams, including performance management and talent retention strategies.
• Excellent strategic planning skills, with experience aligning engineering efforts to business objectives, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities, capable of collaborating with product, design, and executive teams across time zones.
• Problem-solving mindset with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and delivering high-quality, scalable solutions under tight deadlines.
• Cultural adaptability, with experience in diverse, multicultural environments (proficiency in English required; Vietnamese language skills a plus for local team interactions).

Additional Preferences

• Experience in startup or high-growth tech environments, where you've navigated ambiguity and rapid iteration.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture, as seen in top Vietnamese IT companies emphasizing work-life balance and employee development.
• Willingness to be based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with potential travel to Philippines, South Africa or other locations.

Benefits

• Relocation package to Ho Chi Minh City provided
• Meal and parking allowances are covered by the company.
• Full benefits and salary rank during probation.
• Insurances such as the Vietnamese labor law and premium health care for you and your family.
• SMART goals and clear career opportunities (technical seminar, conference, and career talk) - we focus on your development.
• Values-driven, international working environment, and agile culture.
• Overseas travel opportunities for training and work-related.
• Internal Hackathons and company events (team building, coffee run, etc.).
• Pro-Rate and performance bonus.
• 15-day annual + 3-day sick leave per year from the company.
• Work-life balance 40-hr per week from Mon to Fri.