Director of Engineering

Overview

HALA is a leading fintech player in the MENAP region that aims to redefine financial services and build the future bank of SMEs. HALA empowers SMEs to start, run, and grow their businesses by providing them with cutting-edge financial and technological tools.

HALA currently holds multiple entities in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt (including HALA Payments, HALA Cashier and HALA Logistics) and offers solutions that enable merchants to digitize their payments as well as manage their sales and operations.

Founded in 2017, HALA is licensed by the Saudi Arabian Central Bank as well as the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in Abu Dhabi Global Market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Core Systems domain leads across Cards, POS, Core Banking, Identity, Integrations, and Payments Infrastructure.
• Define and execute the engineering roadmap for each domain in partnership with Architecture and Product teams.
• Ensure scalable, high-performing, and resilient backend systems are built and maintained.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineering squads to prioritize platform investments and system upgrades.
• Establish engineering best practices around system design, interfaces, API lifecycle, security, observability, and testing.
• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement within your teams.
• Identify and fill skill gaps, support talent development, and drive hiring where needed.
  
  

Requirements

• 9+ years of experience in software engineering, including 3+ years in engineering leadership roles.
• Proven track record leading backend/platform engineering teams in fintech, banking, or payment environments.
• Deep understanding of scalable system architecture, secure APIs, and service reliability.
• Experience managing multiple domain-aligned teams or technical leads.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with technical and business stakeholders.
• Experience in high-growth or startup environments is a strong plus.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in Fintech
• Prior experience managing platform services consumed across multiple product teams.
• Background in building ledger, KYC, card issuance, or POS transaction platforms.
  
  

What We Offer You

• We have an inclusive and diverse culture that encourages innovation and flexibility in remote, in-office, and hybrid work setups.
• We offer highly competitive compensation packages, including the potential for shares.
• We prioritize personal development and offer regular training and an annual learning stipend to tackle new challenges and grow your career in a hyper-growth environment.
• Join a talented team of over 30 nationalities working in 7 countries and gain valuable experience in an exciting industry.
• We offer autonomy, mentoring, and challenging goals that create incredible opportunities for both you and the company.
• You will be given a lot of responsibility and trust. We believe that the best results come when the people responsible for a function are given the freedom to do what they think is best.