Engineers Week spotlight: Steady reinvention through modern practices

From the bridges we cross to the payments we depend on, engineered systems form the invisible infrastructure of everyday life. We’re here to recognize engineers—the people who build what’s next—and to inspire future problem‑solvers to join them. As we kick off Engineers Week 2026, the theme “Transform Your Future” is a timely reminder that engineering doesn’t just shape technology; it shapes possibilities.

At ACI, we see that transformation happens every day. Our engineers are the catalysts behind faster innovation, stronger security, and experiences customers can trust. They are vital to how we “Power the world’s payments ecosystem,” and they do it with rigor, curiosity, and a relentless commitment to outcomes.
It’s a theme reflected clearly in software architect Jeff Hill’s journey—a story of reinvention, modern practices, and the belief that better systems are built one decision at a time.

A builder’s story: How one engineer helped accelerate ACI’s future

When Principal Software Architect Jeff Hill joined ACI via acquisition in 2013, he didn’t just integrate into a larger organization; he helped re‑architect it. Upon arrival, he wasn’t sure what he’d find.

“I was thinking, we’ll give it a go,” he recalled.

What he discovered wasn’t a dramatic overhaul, but something steadier and more meaningful. The company improved year after year.

“Each year I saw something getting better,” Hill said. “That’s the opposite of what you normally see.”

This kind of progress signaled real internal change: processes tightening, decisions clarifying, leaders listening. By 2018, Hill had stepped into a principal architect role and made a decision.

“If I’m going to be a product architect,” he said, “I’m going to make changes.”

Building something that would hold

At the time, ACI faced familiar challenges seen in large organizations: slow delivery cycles, heavy manual testing, and security activities performed only at set intervals.

Hill proposed a reset:

Security checks running continuously

Automated testing woven into everyday development

Rebuilt delivery pipelines that improved speed without sacrificing reliability

It was an ambitious shift that required investment, patience, and leadership trust—trust that is a cornerstone of ACI’s strategy. Leadership believed in the direction.

From that support emerged Speedpay One™. Hill’s team became the internal test case, adopting new engineering practices before they were adopted more widely.

“We were kind of the guinea pigs,” he said.

But what mattered wasn’t being first—it was building something that would last. Engineers leaned in. Delivery improved. And over time, the approach expanded across teams.

“They could see that what they were building mattered,” Hill said. “That it was going to last.”

Years later, Hill found himself working alongside experts he had once learned from. His credibility didn’t come from chasing trends—it came from systems that worked.

Payments is a global sport, and our engineers collaborate across time zones, supported by flexible ways of working and the tools to match.

“There’s a difference between knowing you can do something and knowing whether you should,” he said. “You learn that over time.”

An environment where engineers thrive

ACI’s steady evolution—from its technology to its culture—has been recognized on a national stage. The company was honored by Forbes and Statista as one of America’s Best Employers for Engineers 2026, celebrated for fostering growth, flexibility, collaboration, and impactful work.

With its investment in engineering excellence and momentum in the industry, ACI remains a place where engineers can build meaningful careers and solve real problems.

Jeff’s story shows how thoughtful engineering and consistent improvement can accelerate an organization’s future and that lasting change is built one smart decision at a time.

This is one of three ACI 2026 Engineers Week spotlights. Discover the journeys of Martina Power and Santhosh Pederedla to round out the series. And if you’re looking to build your next chapter with us, explore engineering careers at ACI.