Software Engineer II, Backend (Merchant Data Platform EU)
WFA Digital Insight
As the demand for skilled software engineers continues to rise, with a growing need for experts in backend systems, Affirm's Merchant Data Platform EU team is seeking a talented Software Engineer II. With the remote job market expanding rapidly, candidates with experience in designing, developing, and launching backend systems are in high demand. The ability to navigate large code bases, debug efficiently, and communicate effectively with global teams is crucial. Before applying, candidates should be prepared to showcase their proficiency in Python or Kotlin and their understanding of distributed systems, as well as their experience with technologies like AWS, MySQL, and Kubernetes.
Job Description
## About the Role The Software Engineer II position at Affirm is a critical role within the Merchant Data Platform EU team, focusing on the development and maintenance of backend systems that serve millions of requests daily. This team is foundational to Affirm's operations, responsible for merchant data and identity across all merchant touchpoints. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in software engineering, with a focus on backend systems, and experience working with distributed systems.
The Merchant Data Platform team maintains sophisticated pipelines that enrich datasets for merchant identification, risk analysis, and fraud detection. This role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including product management, design, and analytics teams, to ensure the timely delivery of projects and to support the operations and availability of the team's artifacts.
The team's work is checkout-critical, meaning it has a direct impact on the user experience and the overall success of Affirm's services. Thus, the ability to work under pressure, navigate complex systems, and collaborate effectively with a global team is essential.
## What You Will Do - Break down larger projects into individual tasks and deliver them in multiple phases with the support of your team's tech lead and manager.
- Collaborate with others to ensure the timely delivery of your work and support your peers and stakeholders in the product development lifecycle.
- Participate in ideation, articulate technical constraints, and partner on decisions that properly consider risks and trade-offs.
- Support the operations and availability of your team's artifacts by creating and monitoring metrics, escalating when needed, and supporting 'keep the lights on' and on-call efforts.
- Contribute to a sense of community on your team by engaging in growth and development activities, such as participation in the interview process.
- Design, develop, and launch backend systems, utilizing your proficiency in Python or Kotlin.
- Work with the building blocks of distributed systems and technologies like AWS, MySQL, and Kubernetes.
- Navigate a large code base, debug others' code, and provide feedback to other engineers through code reviews.
- Take ownership of your growth, proactively seeking feedback from your team, your manager, and your stakeholders.
- Communicate effectively with a global engineering team through strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience designing, developing, and launching backend systems, with proficiency in one of Python or Kotlin.
- Familiarity with the building blocks of distributed systems and technologies like AWS, MySQL, and Kubernetes.
- Ability to take a simple problem or business scenario into a solution that interacts with multiple software components, and execute on it by writing clear, easily understood, well-tested, and extensible code.
- Comfort navigating a large code base, debugging others' code, and providing feedback to other engineers through code reviews.
- Experience demonstrating ownership of your growth, proactively seeking feedback from your team, your manager, and your stakeholders.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills that support effective collaboration with our global engineering team.
- Knowledge of database systems and query optimization.
- Participation in open-source projects or personal coding initiatives.
- Equity rewards offered by Affirm Holdings, Inc.
- 100% subsidized medical coverage, dental, and vision for you and your dependents.
- Monthly stipends for health, wellness, and tech spending.
- Flexible Spending Wallets for tech, food, and lifestyle.
- Away Days - wellness days to take off work and recharge.
- Learning and Development programs.
- Parental leave.
- Employee Resource and Community Groups.
How to Stand Out
- Ensure your portfolio highlights backend system development experience, especially with Python or Kotlin.
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to distributed systems, including your experience with AWS, MySQL, and Kubernetes.
- Practice explaining technical concepts simply, as strong communication skills are key for this role.
- Show a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and systems.
- Prepare questions about the team's dynamics, the company culture, and opportunities for growth and development.
- Be open about your experience with remote work and how you maintain productivity in a distributed team environment.
This is a remote position listed on WFA Digital, the platform for professionals who work from anywhere. Browse more remote jobs across all categories.