Director of Architecture - Card Processing Platform

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) .

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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

This role requires working from a U.S. Bank location three (3) or more days per week.

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