Product Area Lead Continuous Integration

Details

The tribe DevEx and System Engineering delivers the core capabilities of the One Engineering System at ING, which enhances developer productivity, improves system performance, and fosters a collaborative and innovative engineering culture, leading to more efficient operations, higher-quality software, and a more agile and resilient organisation.

Continuous Integration and Delivery Product Area

The Product Area Lead will lead a team of product owners, focusing on Continuous Integration and Delivery within the DevEx and System Engineering tribe. Continuous Integration and Delivery automates and supports the end-to-end process from build to deployment, significantly reducing manual effort and accelerating the delivery pipeline in providing speed while maintaining quality. Establishes a closed control loop in CI/CD which is an automated system where feedback is collected, and guardrails (e.g., controls) are applied to ensure that software is developed and delivered conforming to defined policies.

The Product Area Lead plays a pivotal role in shaping both the strategic direction and organizational structure of the product domain.

One of the core responsibilities is to define the overarching product purpose, set the strategic direction, and establish the product roadmap. This includes aligning product goals with business objectives and ensuring that product teams deliver viable, feasible, and desirable solutions. By fostering a deep understanding of user needs, market trends, and business constraints, the Product Area Lead equips product managers to drive meaningful outcomes.

Equally important, the role involves developing and maintaining hierarchical and functional reporting lines within the product organization, overseeing product owners, business/information analysts, designers, and technical profiles. Responsibilities include staffing, coaching, and mentoring product managers to build strong, empowered teams aligned with their mission and accountable for performance.

The Product Area Lead ensures the product function operates with clarity, cohesion, and impact by combining strategic foresight with organizational leadership.

They work closely with peers, and within a matrix organisation alongside the IT Area Lead and Architecture Lead, forming a team responsible for the why, what, and how of product and services developed and provided.

The role reports to the Tribe Lead DevEx and System Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Determine strategic direction of Continuous Integration & Delivery products and services in collaboration with the tribe lead DevEx and System Engineering
• Develop and execute a strategic vision to enhance the SDLC, including setup, maintenance, and optimization of Continuous Deployment (CD) processes
• Oversee automation of the delivery pipeline supporting the entire end-to-end process from build to deployment
• Integrate tools and practices to streamline CI, reduce manual effort, and increase efficiency
• Implement and manage enhanced SDLC with closed control loop support, establishing automated workflows such as the Golden Path
• Enhance SDLC with agentic AI framework to improve efficiency, productivity, and quality
• Build guardrails and maintain data-driven approach to CI, collaborating with Tribe SRE on Continuous Delivery and Operations
• Guide and mentor product managers, fostering collaboration and innovation
• Collaborate with DevEx and System Engineering Tribe and other tribes to align strategies
• Drive joint goals and form partnerships with IT-Area Lead and stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder connections to ensure successful execution

Requirements

• 10-15+ years experience in software engineering, IT operations, and/or software architecture
• Deep understanding of SDLC and CI/CD pipeline automation
• Strong and proven product management skills including strategic thinking, OKRs, road-mapping, storytelling, communication, and business case development
• Experience engaging with senior management (CxO, IT Leads, Tribe Leads)
• Proven experience with customer and market insights, user needs, customer behavior, and market trends
• Expertise in product lifecycle management from ideation to launch and retirement
• Data-driven decision-making skills with strong analytics
• Knowledge of engineering tools such as GitHub, Azure DevOps, Maven, Gradle, and Terraform
• Experience managing complex systems with closed control loops
• Excellent leadership and mentoring skills
• Passion for innovation and efficiency
• Ability to learn new domains quickly and understand major business areas
• Experience coaching and developing team members
• Clear understanding of coaching product managers rather than direct product management
• Ability to engage constructively at all organizational levels

Benefits

• Salary between €7,125 - €11,331 per month
• 24-27 vacation days depending on contract
• Pension scheme
• 13th month salary
• Individual Savings Contribution (BIS), 3.5% of gross annual salary
• 8% holiday payment
• Hybrid working model balancing home and office work
• Personal growth and challenging work with endless possibilities
• Informal working environment with innovative colleagues

About Us

ING employs 60,000 people across about 40 countries, offering diverse opportunities for people with initiative. ING focuses on integrity, customer interests, and progressive, supportive colleagues. Joining ING means investing your talents at the cutting edge while nurturing your career.