director – Coffeehouse & Partner Technology

Now Brewing – director, engineering! #tobeapartner

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection. We are known for developing extraordinary leaders who share this passion and are guided by their service to others.

We’re looking for a director of engineering to lead the build of next-generation, agent-driven platforms powering the Starbucks coffeehouse and partner (employee) experience. This role will drive innovation across agentic frameworks, data engineering, and internal applications - shaping the future of how data, AI, and tools come together to enable smarter, faster decisions at scale.

You’ll lead high-performing engineering teams to design and deliver scalable platforms across agentic frameworks, modern data engineering, and enterprise applications. This role is deeply cross-functional - partnering closely with data science and business leaders to translate complex needs into intuitive, high-impact solutions. From building intelligent, self-learning systems to evolving our enterprise BI platform, you’ll set the technical vision, raise the bar on engineering excellence, and ensure our platforms seamlessly power decision-making across the coffeehouse and partner experience.

As a director, engineering, you will…

Lead the design and build of scalable agentic frameworks that enable intelligent, self-learning systems across partner and coffeehouse operations

Drive data engineering efforts that power reliable, real-time data products and decisioning at scale

Oversee development of internal applications and tools that improve partner experience and operational efficiency

Evolve and scale the enterprise BI platform to deliver intuitive, high-impact analytics across the business

Partner closely with data science, product, and business leaders to translate complex problems into actionable solutions

Set technical vision and standards, ensuring high-quality architecture, performance, and engineering excellence

Build and lead high-performing engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation, ownership, and continuous learning

Champion best practices in platform design, deployment, and lifecycle management across all systems

Drive integration across platforms to create a seamless, end-to-end ecosystem for data and AI-powered decisioning

We’d love to hear from leaders who can build and scale modern, AI-driven engineering platforms in a complex, retail environment. In addition to strong experience in platform and data engineering:

Deep expertise in modern engineering ecosystems, including cloud platforms, application development, and AI/agentic frameworks

Proven track record building and scaling data and platform engineering capabilities that power intelligent, self-learning systems and decisioning at scale

Experience leading development of internal tools, enterprise applications, and platforms that directly improve frontline (partner) experience and operational performance

Strong understanding of data engineering and analytics platforms, including building reliable, high-quality data products and enabling intuitive BI experiences

Demonstrated ability to integrate disparate systems into cohesive, end-to-end platforms that unify data, AI, and applications

Proven leadership driving large-scale transformation, including adopting new technologies, evolving engineering practices, and upskilling teams

Ability to identify platform gaps, reduce fragmentation, and improve system reliability, performance, and developer velocity

Strong cross-functional leadership - able to align engineering, data science, product, and business stakeholders around shared outcomes

Experience operating in fast-paced, high-impact environments with multiple competing priorities and stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

10+ years of experience in software, platform, or data engineering, with 5+ years leading managers and senior engineers

Experience leading engineering at director-level scope within large, complex organizations

Experience building or working with AI-driven, agent-based, or intelligent system architectures

Strong background in modern data platforms and architecture

Experience building and scaling internal platforms and enterprise applications

Demonstrated success hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing engineering teams

Strong executive communication skills, with the ability to translate technical strategy into business impact

Experience working across distributed teams and influencing across organizational boundaries

As a Starbucks partner, you (and your family) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits. Partners have access to short-term and long-term disability, paid parental leave, family expansion reimbursement, paid vacation from date of hire*, sick time (accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked), eight paid holidays, and two personal days per year. Starbucks also offers eligible partners participation in a 401(k)-retirement plan with employer match, a discounted company stock program (S.I.P.), Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock), incentivized emergency savings, and financial well-being tools. Additionally, Starbucks offers 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, student loan management resources, and access to other educational opportunities. You will also have access to backup care and DACA reimbursement. Starbucks will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, and in accordance with its plans and policies. This list is subject to change depending on collective bargaining in locations where partners have a certified bargaining representative. For additional information regarding partner perks and more detailed information about benefits, go to starbucksbenefits.com.

If you are working in CA, CO, IL, LA, ME, MA, NE, ND or RI, you will accrue vacation up to a maximum of 120 hours (190 in CA) for roles below director and 200 hours (316 in CA) for roles at director or above. For roles in other states, you will be granted vacation time starting at 120 hours annually for roles below director and 200 hours annually for roles director and above.

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. At Starbucks, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

This role is located in Nashville and will be in office Monday – Thursday.

Join us and inspire with every cup. Apply today!

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.

Starbucks Coffee Company is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at applicantaccommodation@starbucks.com or 1(888) 611-2258.