Engineering Manager (Financial Systems)

Government technology has failed the public for decades and Americans have been conditioned to expect websites from the 90s even for the most important civic services.

Kaizen exists to restore citizens' trust in American public services by building technology that actually works. We partner with agencies at every level of government to replace legacy constituent service systems with modern AI-native software that is worthy of the people they serve. We started in Parks and Recreation and now we're building towards something much larger the software layer that powers how Americans access the services their government owes them across all parts of government.

Our platform already reaches 40 million residents across 50+ agencies in 17 states.

Founded in 2022 and based in New York City Kaizen has raised $35 million from NEA A16z Accel 776 and Carpenter Capital. We're builders designers and operators who believe that beautifully designed software isn't a luxury in government but it's how you earn trust back.

This is a hybrid role based out of our New York City HQ. Candidates must reside in New York or be able to commute to New York City to work out of our office at least three times a week (Tuesdays - Thursdays).

As our Financial Systems EM you’ll be building the financial systems that power this mission - ensuring governments and residents alike can trust every transaction every time. You’ll get to solve some of the hardest technical challenges in fintech and civic tech shape the foundation of our platform and play a key role in scaling an early-stage startup on its way to nationwide impact. You will be responsible for owning and building our financial systems - payments processors reporting and accounting infrastructure. These systems are among the most sensitive parts of our product and codebase and as we scale to larger more sophisticated customers they’re holding us to higher standards of accuracy compliance and reliability. This is a highly technical role with leadership responsibility: ~80% hands-on engineering and ~20% people management. You’ll collaborate closely with product and platform teams to design simple abstracted financial interfaces while ensuring our systems are accurate and built to scale.

• Building and scaling financial systems that reconcile accounting data power accurate reporting and support enterprise-grade compliance.

• Owning integrations with payment processors ERP systems and financial reporting tools to ensure reliability and trust.

• Designing simple abstracted payment and reporting interfaces for our customers.

• Ensuring financial accuracy through reconciliation alerting and monitoring systems.

• Supporting diverse use cases - everything from permits and public reservations to point-of-sale transactions and large-scale government payments.

• Lead the accounting and payments roadmap - defining priorities building and executing.

• Own payments processors reporting and financial accounting systems end-to-end.

• Establish rigorous systems for reconciliation alerting and financial accuracy.

• Collaborate with product engineering to design clean abstracted interfaces for payments and reporting.

• Manage and mentor a small team while remaining a strong IC.

• Drive ERP integrations and ensure smooth connectivity between payments accounting and inventory systems.

• Contribute to high-level architectural decisions helping us design scalable reliable and auditable financial systems.

• 6+ years of professional software development experience with deep exposure to fintech payments or accounting systems.

• Background at finance-heavy tech-forward companies or foundational work at an early-stage startup building financial infrastructure.

• Strong backend engineering skills (TypeScript Postgres Stripe API experience preferred).

• Experience with ERP integrations.

• Comfortable leading projects and/or teams or leading complex cross-functional initiatives.

• Customer-obsessed mindset - you care about providing reliable systems that empower users and earn customer trust.

• Strong written and verbal communication; able to collaborate across product engineering and operations teams.

• Experience with POS/payment terminals or retail and e-commerce systems.

• Familiarity with compliance-heavy environments.

• Experience balancing IC engineering responsibilities with early management.

• Background in building systems at companies that scaled.

• Comprehensive medical through Oxford/United - Gold and Platinum PPO plans with 85% of premiums covered on the Platinum plan and a $0 employee premium option. Dental through Guardian PPO and vision through Beam with 99% of employee premiums covered and 50% for dependents.

• $100000 in fully paid life insurance. FSA and Dependent Care FSA. 401(k) access through Guideline.

• 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave for birthing parents. 10 weeks fully paid for non-birthing parents.

• Unlimited PTO & closed for all federal holidays.

• Company-wide winter break the week of Christmas.

• One-time home office or desk setup stipend up to $750.

• $50/month commuter benefit.

• $100/month for wellness or productivity - your call on how you use it!

• $500/year for professional development.

• $250/year for recreation

• Company-provided laptop

• Expensed lunch while in the office.

Kaizen is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race color religion age sex national origin disability genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law. If you need an accommodation during the interview process email us at [email protected].

What We Do

Have you struggled to reserve that coveted summer camping spot at a state park? Wondered why you’re still filling out a paper form at the DMV? Or tried (and failed) to book your favorite pickleball court from your phone? Kaizen Labs is rebuilding the government’s digital front door - bringing modern people-first software to the public services millions of Americans rely on every day. From parks & recreation and permitting to licensing and payments we’re replacing outdated systems with intuitive beautiful technology designed for residents and the public servants who serve them. Our platform now powers over 50 agencies across 17 states reaching more than 30 million residents. Recent partners include Maricopa County (AZ) San Bernardino County (CA) and the Cherokee Nation. In Maryland our platform helped eliminate seven-mile traffic jams at state parks saving hundreds of thousands in costs and dramatically improving the visitor experience. Founded in 2022 and based in New York City Kaizen has raised $35 million from world-class investors including NEA Andreessen Horowitz Accel 776 and Carpenter Capital. We’re a team of builders designers and operators redefining what it means to serve the public in the digital age - and we’re just getting started.

Why Work With Us

At Kaizen you’ll find more than just a job - you’ll find ownership autonomy and purpose. We're building tools that truly help communities with a culture rooted in trust psychological safety and cross-functional collaboration. It's meaningful work with smart supportive people by your side.

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