Director of Engineering - Equities and Tokenised Equities

Summary

Join Kraken as their Director of Engineering to lead Equities and Tokenized Equities initiatives. This high-impact role demands strategic vision, technical expertise, and strong leadership. You will design long-term roadmaps, resolve complex engineering issues, and ensure a world-class user experience. The position is crucial for Kraken's expansion beyond crypto, requiring experience in building reliable and compliant financial systems. You will set the technical direction, build and lead a high-performing team, and partner with various stakeholders. The role also involves overseeing system architecture, driving cross-functional initiatives, and attracting top engineering talent.

Requirements

• 10+ years of software engineering experience, including at least 5 years of engineering leadership with full accountability for team delivery and technical quality
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams in financial services, fintech, or blockchain-based systems
• Deep technical background in scalable distributed systems, trading platforms, or digital asset infrastructure
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, high-ambiguity environments and influence outcomes without authority
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, including experience working with exec-level stakeholders and external partners
• Strong product intuition and customer-first mindset
• Prior experience working in a regulated environment or building compliant financial systems

Responsibilities

• Set the technical and strategic direction for the Equities and Tokenised Equities team, aligning engineering outcomes with Kraken’s broader business goals
• Build and lead a high-performing team of engineers and managers, cultivating a strong culture of ownership, innovation, and execution excellence
• Partner with Product, Compliance, Legal, and other stakeholders to define roadmap, operating model, and technical constraints for equities offerings
• Ensure a world-class user experience across jurisdictions, balancing performance, security, and regulatory requirements
• Oversee the architecture and operational maturity of the systems powering tokenised and traditional equity trading, including integrations with exchanges, custodians, and on-chain infrastructure
• Drive cross-functional engineering initiatives that span multiple teams, acting as a connector across product verticals
• Attract, grow, and retain top-tier engineering talent through mentorship, recruiting, and career development
• Monitor and manage team performance, engineering velocity, technical debt, and production stability
• Represent the team’s work to senior leadership and external partners as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience shipping equity or tokenised securities products to market
• Deep understanding of the equities and crypto industries
• Contributions to financial open-source projects, technical writing, or speaking at industry events