Senior Director, Software Engineering

Senior Director, Engineering – Code Puppy

Join Walmart as a Senior Director of Engineering, leading Code Puppy, a flagship capability within our AI & Data organization. In this role, you will enable 2.5M+ global associates—from data scientists to business "citizen developers"—to go from idea to AI-powered solution quickly, safely, and cost-effectively. Yes, we are the Fortune #1 company. But you'll quickly find that Walmart is where complex global challenges meet a deeply human mission. At Walmart, we empower you to do the best work of your life—work that helps people save money and live better.

About Walmart Global Tech & AI and Data

Walmart Global Tech delivers scalable, resilient, and innovative technology solutions that power global operations. Within Global Tech, the AI & Data organization is building a platform-based ecosystem that centralizes enterprise data, standardizes AI foundations, and creates intuitive AI solutions for all personas. Code Puppy is a core component of the Associate AI Experience, enabling builders across the enterprise to rapidly develop, deploy, and scale AI-driven applications safely and responsibly.

Position Summary

As Senior Director, Engineering – Code Puppy, you will lead a high-caliber, multidisciplinary team of engineers, data scientists, and program managers. You will define and execute the engineering and platform strategy that makes Code Puppy a trusted, enterprise-grade AI builder platform across Walmart globally. This role blends:

• Platform engineering leadership
• AI/ML productization
• Enterprise architecture governance
• Responsible AI enablement
• Operational excellence at scale

You will serve as a senior technology leader within AI & Data, translating Walmart's AI-first strategy into durable platform capabilities that are scalable, secure, reliable, and widely adopted globally.

What You Will Do

Platform & Product Strategy

• Define and execute the long-term vision and roadmap for Code Puppy as a foundational AI builder platform.
• Align platform capabilities with the AI & Data enterprise strategy and platform approach.
• Ensure Code Puppy integrates seamlessly with enterprise data, AI foundations, governance, and customer/product intelligence layers.
• Balance innovation with enterprise-grade reliability, security, and compliance.

Engineering & Architecture Leadership

• Establish architectural standards for distributed systems, AI pipelines, agent-based workflows, and developer tooling.
• Govern design reviews across backend, AI, and forward-deployed implementations.
• Ensure scalability to support millions of potential builders across global markets.
• Drive cloud-native, API-first, and platform-centric design principles.

Responsible AI & Governance

• Embed guardrails, governance, and human-in-the-loop patterns into platform design.
• Partner closely with AI Governance and Enterprise Data teams to ensure safe, compliant, and cost-effective AI deployment.
• Standardize patterns for agent builders and AI-assisted engineering workflows.

Operational Excellence & Reliability

• Define reliability targets, SLOs, and operational KPIs for Code Puppy as a mission-critical internal platform.
• Elevate DevOps maturity, release management, observability, and cost optimization.
• Ensure predictable delivery across a portfolio of cross-functional initiatives.

Stakeholder & Executive Influence

• Serve as a senior advisor to AI & Data, Global Tech, and business leadership.
• Translate complex AI and platform trade-offs into clear business outcomes.
• Drive adoption through close partnership with product, data, governance, and field teams.

Talent & Culture Leadership

• Build and develop a high-performing team across engineering, data science, and program management.
• Coach Distinguished Engineers and Principal Data Scientists as technical multipliers.
• Create a culture of experimentation, measurable impact, and inclusive leadership.
• Foster an AI-first mindset across engineering practices.

Key Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience, including leading platform or AI-enabled product organizations.
• Proven experience leading senior individual contributors (Principal and Distinguished-level engineers).
• Deep expertise in distributed systems, cloud-native architecture, and AI/ML productionization.
• Experience building internal platforms or developer ecosystems at enterprise scale.
• Demonstrated success embedding responsible AI and governance frameworks.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at VP and SVP levels.
• Passion for building diverse teams and developing next-generation technology leaders.

Why This Role Matters

Code Puppy is central to Walmart's AI-first transformation—enabling associates across the enterprise to build AI-driven solutions safely and at scale. This role will shape how innovation happens inside the world's largest company. At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable. For information about PTO, see Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms. For information about benefits and eligibility, see

Bentonville, Arkansas US-10735: The annual salary range for this position is $160,000.00 - $320,000.00 Sunnyvale, California US-11807: The annual salary range for this position is $208,000.00 - $416,000.00 Bellevue, Washington US-11075: The annual salary range for this position is $192,000.00 - $384,000.00 Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include Stock.

Minimum Qualifications

Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications.

• Option 1: Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 7 years' experience in software engineering or related area.
• Option 2: 9 years' experience in software engineering or related area. 4 years' supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications.

• Master's degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 5 years' experience in software engineering or related area.
• We value candidates with a background in creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly. The ideal candidate would have knowledge of accessibility best practices and join us as we continue to create accessible products and services following Walmart's accessibility standards and guidelines for supporting an inclusive culture.

Primary Location

2501 Se J St, Ste A, Bentonville, AR 72716-3724, United States of America