Senior Principal Software Engineer, Data Architecture

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.

Senior Principal Software Engineer, Data Architecture Overview:
Mastercard’s Data & Analytics is seeking a visionary and results‑oriented Senior Principal Software Engineer, Data Architecture to lead the design and evolution of Mastercard’s enterprise data architecture. This foundational technical role is responsible for defining how data is collected, organized, governed, and distributed across Mastercard’s global infrastructure. Reporting to the EVP of Data & Analytics, this engineer will shape architectural frameworks and standards that drive product innovation, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance across a hybrid cloud environment.

The Mastercard’s Data & Analytics organization is undergoing a bold transformation to modernize our global data ecosystem—unlocking value through secure, scalable, and compliant data capabilities.

• Lead the design and execution of Mastercard’s enterprise data architecture across a complex, global ecosystem.
• Drive modernization from legacy and on‑prem systems to modern, cloud‑native, and hybrid data platforms.
• Architect scalable, secure data solutions that meet evolving regulatory requirements (e.g., ISO 20022, data localization, GDPR).
• Create reusable, domain‑oriented data models that promote consistency, interoperability, and self‑service across business units.
• Define and implement architectural patterns supporting both real‑time and batch data processing across relational and non‑relational systems.
• Champion adoption of modern data principles including Data Mesh, data products, and federated governance.

• Serve as a key technical leader on the Data & Analytics Architecture Review Board to ensure alignment across programs and domains.
• Collaborate with Mastercard’s Architecture, Security, and Engineering organizations to embed data architecture into enterprise‑wide standards.
• Apply Agile methodologies to data architecture initiatives, enabling iterative delivery, rapid feedback, and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Represent Data & Analytics in enterprise architecture councils, steering committees, and executive planning forums.

• Lead and scale technical excellence by mentoring engineers, architects, and technical experts across distributed systems, cloud platforms, and data modeling.
• Act as a trusted advisor to business, product, and engineering leaders—bridging technical strategy with enterprise priorities.
• Build relationships and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including senior executives, to influence data‑driven strategies and decisions.

• Proven experience as a Senior Principal Engineer or equivalent in enterprise data architecture, data engineering, or data platform strategy.
• Deep expertise in building and modernizing distributed data platforms using technologies such as Apache Spark, Kafka, Flink, NiFi, and Cloudera/Hadoop.
• Hands‑on proficiency with modern data platforms and tools including Databricks, Snowflake, Delta Lake, and Redshift.
• Experienced in designing and operating real‑time and batch data pipelines in hybrid and cloud‑native environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Knowledge of Data Mesh principles, federated governance, and data product lifecycle management.
• Experience working in Agile environments, leveraging modern delivery practices like Scrum, SAFe, or product‑centric models.
• Track record of leading large‑scale data transformations and platform modernization initiatives in regulated industries such as Payments, Fintech, or Banking.
• Understanding of card data flows, merchant ecosystems, and frameworks including ISO…