Director of Architecture - Card Processing Platform

At U.S. Bank, we’re on a journey to do our best. Helping the customers and businesses we serve to make better and smarter financial decisions and enabling the communities we support to grow and succeed. We believe it takes all of us to bring our shared ambition to life, and each person is unique in their potential. A career with U.S. Bank gives you a wide, ever-growing range of opportunities to discover what makes you thrive at every stage of your career. Try new things, learn new skills and discover what you excel at—all from Day One. Job Description Job Summary U.S. Bank is seeking a highly experienced technology leader to serve as the Director of Architecture for a critical card processing platform supporting Consumer and Small Business customers in a highly regulated, always-on environment. This role leads the architecture function, overseeing a team of architects responsible for designing and guiding complex payment solutions across a hybrid technology landscape. The Director will drive architecture strategy, solution design, and feasibility decisions across new product initiatives and business opportunities. This is a technical leadership role, focused on architecture design and decision-making—not engineering execution—requiring strong expertise across mainframe and modern technology stacks (distributed systems, cloud, APIs, and microservices). What You’ll Do Architecture Leadership Lead and develop a team of architects responsible for end-to-end architecture across ICS initiatives Establish architectural direction across mainframe, API, distributed systems, and cloud environments Drive consistency, quality, scalability, and governance in architecture practices Solution Design & Feasibility Oversee high-level solution design, feasibility assessments, and effort sizing for new products and business initiatives Partner with business and technology stakeholders to define scalable, viable architecture approaches prior to development Cross-Platform Architecture & Strategy Drive architecture across a hybrid, multi-technology environment, including: Mainframe platforms (core system of record) Distributed systems and application services API and integration architecture Cloud and microservices-based platforms Ensure solutions balance modernization, scalability, resiliency, and platform stability Cross-Functional Partnership Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, and Business leaders to shape solutions Translate business needs into clear, scalable architectural designs Partner with Enterprise Architecture and platform teams to ensure alignment to broader strategy Technical Leadership & Decision-Making Provide oversight of conceptual architecture design across systems and integrations Drive technical tradeoff decisions and long-term architecture strategy Influence senior stakeholders through clear, executive-level communication Basic Qualifications 10+ years of experience in software engineering, architecture, or related roles Experience leading architecture teams or senior-level architects Deep expertise in designing across: Mainframe systems (required) Distributed systems and application architectures APIs and integration patterns Cloud, microservices, and modern architecture patterns (e.g., domain-driven design, event-driven architecture) Experience supporting complex, high-availability platforms (e.g., payments, financial services, or similar) Ability to lead across legacy and modern technology environments simultaneously Experience with solution feasibility, sizing, or pre-development architecture work Preferred Skills/Experience Experience supporting payments or card processing platforms Experience in highly regulated, mission-critical environments Exposure to cloud transformation and hybrid architecture strategies Strong executive communication and stakeholder influence skills What Sets This Role Apart Leads architecture strategy and design, not delivery execution Owns architecture across both legacy and modern platforms Operates at the intersection of technology, product, and business strategy Plays a critical role in modernizing a core, enterprise-scale platform Location Expectation This role requires working from a U.S. Bank location three (3) or more days per week. If there’s anything we can do to accommodate a disability during any portion of the application or hiring process, please refer to our disability accommodations for applicants. Benefits: Our approach to benefits and total rewards considers our team members’ whole selves and what may be needed to thrive in and outside work. That's why our benefits are designed to help you and your family boost your health, protect your financial security and give you peace of mind. Our benefits include the following: Healthcare (medical, dental, vision) Basic term and optional term life insurance Short-term and long-term disability Pregnancy disability and parental leave 401(k) and employer-funded retirement plan Paid vacation (from two to five weeks depending on salary grade and tenure) Up to 11 paid holiday opportunities Adoption assistance Sick and Safe Leave accruals of one hour for every 30 worked, up to 80 hours per calendar year unless otherwise provided by law Review our full benefits available by employment status here. U.S. Bank is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status, and other factors protected under applicable law. E-Verify U.S. Bank participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program in all facilities located in the United States and certain U.S. territories. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program. The salary range reflects figures based on the primary location, which is listed first. The actual range for the role may differ based on the location of the role. In addition to salary, U.S. Bank offers a comprehensive benefits package, including incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase 401(k) contribution and pension (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). Pay Range: $143,905.00 - $169,300.00 U.S. Bank will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment. U.S. Bank conducts background checks consistent with applicable local laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act as well as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. U.S. Bank is subject to, and conducts background checks consistent with the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA). In addition, certain positions may also be subject to the requirements of FINRA, NMLS registration, Reg Z, Reg G, OFAC, the NFA, the FCPA, the Bank Secrecy Act, the SAFE Act, and/or federal guidelines applicable to an agreement, such as those related to ethics, safety, or operational procedures. Applicants must be able to comply with U.S. Bank policies and procedures including the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and related workplace conduct and safety policies. Posting may be closed earlier due to high volume of applicants. At U.S. Bank, we’re on a journey to do our best. Helping the customers and businesses we serve to make better and smarter financial decisions and enabling the communities we support to grow and succeed. We believe it takes all of us to bring our shared ambition to life, and each person is unique in their potential. A career with U.S. Bank gives you a wide, ever-growing range of opportunities to discover what makes you thrive at every stage of your career. Try new things, learn new skills and discover what you excel at—all from Day One.