Software Engineer II, Backend (Merchant Advocacy)

Affirm·Remote(Remote US)

Software Development

Excel

WFA Digital Insight

The demand for skilled software engineers in the fintech space has grown exponentially, with a 25% increase in remote job postings in the last year alone. As companies like Affirm continue to innovate and expand their services, the need for talented backend engineers who can design and develop scalable systems has become paramount. With the rise of buy-now-pay-later services, Affirm is at the forefront of this trend, and this role offers a unique opportunity to work on a critical component of their platform. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their expertise in Domain-Driven Design, distributed systems, and technical strategy, as well as their ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

Job Description

About the Role

The Merchant & Partner Lifecycle team at Affirm is driving the company's architectural transformation, and this role is a key part of that effort. As a Software Engineer II, you will play a technical leadership role in building out the new lifecycle-orchestrator service, which is central to multiple connected systems. Your work will have a direct impact on the availability and scalability of the platform, and will involve simplifying and modernizing older parts of the codebase.

The Merchants & Partners Lifecycle team is responsible for consolidating merchant lifecycle orchestration into a newly cohesive domain, addressing critical architectural risks in the process. This is a high-visibility role that will require collaboration with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product, and design.

What You Will Do

Design and expand the backbone of the Affirm platform to scale to hundreds of thousands of merchants worldwide
Align the scope of work with other teams to deliver cross-team projects, ensuring seamless integration and minimal disruption
Partner with the Engineering Manager and Team Lead to execute the long-term vision of the team, providing technical guidance and oversight
Execute technical strategy for broad or complex requirements, developing insightful and forward-looking approaches that solve large open-ended problems
Utilize agentic development tools like Claude Code to automate parts of the development process, improving efficiency and reducing manual errors
Improve engineering standards, tooling, and processes throughout the organization, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and innovation
Collaborate with the product team to design and develop new features, ensuring that they meet the needs of merchants and are aligned with the company's overall strategy
Participate in code reviews, providing constructive feedback and ensuring that all code meets the company's high standards
Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues, using a combination of technical expertise and creative problem-solving skills

What We Are Looking For

3+ years of experience as a backend software engineer, with a strong track record of delivering high-quality solutions
Familiarity with Domain-Driven Design, distributed systems, and how architectural decisions affect performance and maintainability
Experience with concepts such as data models, API design (http and RPC), state machines, event-driven architecture, and database design
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate complex technical ideas to non-technical stakeholders
Experience designing, developing, and launching backend systems, with a strong understanding of the entire development lifecycle
Prior experience with monitoring and alerting systems, such as sentry.io, rollbar, chronosphere, and kibana
A Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent practical experience
Experience with Java and Kotlin is especially helpful, as is experience with AWS, gRPC, Snowflake, Python, MySQL, and Kubernetes

Nice to Have

Experience with agile development methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban
Familiarity with cloud-based infrastructure, such as AWS or Google Cloud
Experience with containerization, using tools such as Docker
Knowledge of security best practices, with experience implementing secure coding standards and practices

Benefits and Perks

Competitive salary, with a range of
60,000 - $210,000 per year (depending on location and experience)
Equity rewards, with a vesting schedule that rewards long-term commitment and contribution
Monthly stipends for health, wellness, and tech spending, to support your physical and mental well-being
100% subsidized medical coverage, dental, and vision for you and your dependents
Remote work options, with the flexibility to work from anywhere in the US
Opportunities for professional growth and development, with a strong focus on continuous learning and skill-building
A dynamic, supportive team environment, with a culture of collaboration and innovation

How to Stand Out

Tip: Make sure your resume and cover letter are tailored to the specific requirements of the role, highlighting your experience with Domain-Driven Design and distributed systems.
Be prepared to talk about your experience with technical strategy and how you approach complex problems, using specific examples from your past experience.
Showcase your skills in backend development, including your experience with Java, Kotlin, and other relevant technologies.
Emphasize your ability to communicate complex technical ideas effectively, both in writing and in person.
Research the company and the role beforehand, and be prepared to ask informed questions during the interview process.
Consider creating a portfolio of your work, to demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers.
Don't be afraid to negotiate salary and benefits – Affirm is known for being open to discussion and finding a mutually beneficial agreement.

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