Kathia Torres
Summary
Engineering leader with 10 years of experience across banking, media, and technology. Skilled in delivering secure digital solutions that align technology with business objectives. Proven expertise in cross-functional leadership, strategic planning, and resource optimization, while fostering collaborative environments that drive innovation and growth.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Engineering Director
Nave Bank
San Juan
01.2022 - Current
- Played a key leadership role in establishing Puerto Rico’s first digital bank by contributing to core banking selection, vendor sourcing, and cloud-native architecture decisions that power the bank’s platforms today.
- Architected the bank’s API middleware layer and oversaw its implementation, making key design decisions, conducting code reviews, and ensuring successful integration with the core banking system to support account booking, loan servicing, and payments.
- Directed the end-to-end design and launch of a secure digital payments platform for commercial clients, overseeing architecture, team execution, and delivery of the in-house front end, and the API layer.
- Managed and mentored a team of full-stack engineers, driving performance, career growth, and a collaborative culture, aligned with business and technical goals.
- Conducted code reviews and promoted best practices in coding and architecture to ensure scalability, maintainability, and quality across banking platforms.
- Partnered with Product, Risk, Compliance, and Operations leaders to align engineering with regulatory, audit, and security standards, while driving innovation that streamlined operations, reduced risk exposure, and improved banking efficiency.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to define user stories and business requirements, translating them into technical specifications and system designs that guided team execution.
Senior Software Engineer
Red Ventures
San Juan
12.2020 - 12.2021
- Designed and delivered web features that improved customer engagement and supported revenue growth across multiple online platforms.
- Collaborated with product and business leaders as part of the founding group behind the venture that evolved into Nave Bank, contributing to vendor sourcing, proof-of-concepts, and technical analysis that shaped the strategic direction.
Senior Software Developer
GFR Media
Guaynabo
08.2017 - 11.2020
- Redesigned the digital publishing stack for Primera Hora (Puerto Rico’s leading entertainment news site) by migrating from a legacy CMS to the Washington Post Arc Publishing System, significantly improving site performance and usability.
- Designed and developed a microservice that integrated GFR Media’s digital and print publishing systems, enabling a digital-first editorial workflow for print publications.
- Implemented a server-side paywall for El Nuevo Día’s premium content to support new monetization strategies.
- Built the Subscriber Account Manager (Angular, TypeScript), enabling El Nuevo Día subscribers to manage accounts, payments, and service requests online.
- Partnered with editorial and marketing teams to align technology initiatives with business goals, and advance digital transformation.
Technology Analyst, Ops Automation Tech
Goldman Sachs
New Jersey
06.2016 - 08.2017
- Developed React components for a client onboarding application, streamlining the KYC process for operations analysts, reducing onboarding time, and improving process accuracy.
- Designed and implemented the user interface of a risk analytics tool that allowed Operations managers to identify root causes, and prevent recurring issues.
- Built REST APIs to automate compliance and risk processes, significantly reducing manual workloads for compliance teams.
Software Developer Intern
Goldman Sachs
New Jersey
05.2014 - 06.2015
- Delivered a full-stack web application that improved operational efficiency and enhanced internal communication.
- Developed a Java application that increased the performance of an operations system by implementing advanced search capabilities with Elasticsearch.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Computer Engineering 3.90/4.00
University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus
05-2016
Skills
- API Design and System Architecture
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Containerization, CI/CD, and Automated Testing
- Digital Banking and Payment Systems
- Software Delivery and Lifecycle Management
- Cross-Functional Team Management
- Product Strategy and Requirements Definition
- Agile Methodologies
Accomplishments
- 1st place, 2015 HackPR Fall Edition
- Best Social Hack and IBM Bluemix winner, 2014 HackPR
- NSF scholarship for Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing
- Google Scholarship for Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing
- HENAAC Scholarship, Great Minds in STEM
- Santander Scholarship at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
- 2012 Google Android Camp Participant
Timeline
Engineering Director
Nave Bank
01.2022 - Current
Senior Software Engineer
Red Ventures
12.2020 - 12.2021
Senior Software Developer
GFR Media
08.2017 - 11.2020
Technology Analyst, Ops Automation Tech
Goldman Sachs
06.2016 - 08.2017
Software Developer Intern
Goldman Sachs
05.2014 - 06.2015
Bachelor of Science - Computer Engineering 3.90/4.00
University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus