Director, Technical Programs Job at PayPal in San Jose

Job Title

Principal Design Program Manager – Branded Checkout

Job Description Summary

The Principal Design Program Manager for Branded Checkout leads end-to-end program execution across PayPal's most complex, highly matrixed checkout experiences. This role requires exceptional ability to connect strategy to execution across Consumer, Merchant, Platform, and Partner organizations—navigating ambiguity and aligning stakeholders across Product, Engineering, Design, Marketing, Legal, Risk, and Compliance. You'll drive clarity in an environment where no single team owns the entire experience.

Essential Responsibilities

• Scope: The project & program responsibilities are focused on the delivery of a product or computer-based system from design to release for customers.
• Develop and implement the strategic vision for engineering operational programs.
• Oversee the planning and execution of engineering programs.
• Ensure alignment of engineering programs with business goals.
• Manage and mentor program managers and engineering teams.
• Monitor program performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Communicate program status and strategic initiatives to executive leadership.
• Manage program budgets and financials.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor’s degree OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven ability to manage large, complex engineering programs.

Additional Responsibilities and Preferred Qualifications

Success requires translating business priorities into actionable roadmaps, identifying dependencies before they become blockers, and building the connective tissue that enables distributed teams to deliver cohesive customer experiences. You'll operate at both strategic and tactical levels—defining program frameworks while unsticking complex cross‑functional challenges. This role demands someone who thrives in complexity, builds trust across organizational boundaries, and delivers business‑critical programs where coordination is the hardest problem to solve.

• 10+ years of program management experience in product/design organizations, with at least 5 years leading programs in highly matrixed, multi‑stakeholder environments.
• Proven track record managing end‑to‑end programs across distributed teams with no direct reporting relationships, demonstrating influence without authority.
• Experience with payment systems, checkout flows, or similarly complex regulated product experiences involving multiple technical platforms and business constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to operate at executive level—translating technical/design complexity into business impact and building credibility with VP+ stakeholders across functions.
• Deep expertise in managing dependencies across 10+ teams simultaneously, anticipating integration challenges, and creating governance structures that drive accountability without bureaucracy.
• Experience establishing program frameworks, rituals, and operating models from scratch in ambiguous environments.

Location and Compensation

San Jose, California : $196,500.00–$291,500.00 annually

Austin, Texas : $178,500.00–$265,100.00 annually

Benefits

PayPal offers a flexible work environment, employee share options, health and life insurance, and more. For more details, visit the benefits website.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

PayPal provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, PayPal will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.