Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Identity Data)

Affirm, Inc.; Halifax; Remote; CAD 153,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESPP

Health coverage for dependents

Tech stipends

Flexible time off

Remote-first

Job summary

Affirm, Inc. is seeking a senior backend engineer to own and deliver high-availability systems at scale from a remote-first Canada base. You will design, implement, and optimize backend services using Python or Kotlin, with emphasis on reliability and performance.

You will collaborate across product, design, and analytics, contributing to architecture decisions and shipping impactful features. The role offers equity-oriented compensation, stipends for tech setup, and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience designing, developing and launching backend systems at scale using languages like Python or Kotlin.
• Track record of developing highly available distributed systems using AWS, MySQL and Kubernetes.
• Experience defining a technical plan for delivering a significant feature or system component with an elegant, simple design.
• Proven ability to modify a large code base safely with tooling and practices.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver quarterly goals for the team and lead engineers through ambiguity to solve open-ended problems.
• Collaborate with product management, design, and analytics in the product lifecycle and discuss technical constraints and trade-offs.
• Identify and advocate for project, process, technology, or business issues and lead in solving them.
• Support operations and availability of the team’s artifacts by creating and monitoring metrics and supporting on-call efforts.
• Foster a culture of quality and ownership by setting code review and design standards and mentoring others.

Skills

Python

Kotlin

Distributed systems

High availability

Code quality

Leadership

Tools

AWS

MySQL

Kubernetes

CI/CD

Job description

At Aff…? Identity Engineering owns the systems responsible for onboarding all consumers and managing their authentication and verification journeys across Aff…? In this role, you will need to gain a deep understanding of the business, product and engineering context, and utilize that context to own and deliver high-availability and low-latency systems on the critical paths for all of our products

What You'll Do

• You will be responsible for owning and delivering quarterly goals for your team, leading engineers on your team through ambiguity to solve open-ended problems, and ensuring that everyone is supported throughout delivery.
• You will support your peers and stakeholders in the product development lifecycle by collaborating with product management, design & analytics by participating in ideation, articulating technical constraints, and partnering on decisions that properly consider risks and trade-offs.
• You will proactively identify project, process, technology or business issues, advocate for them, and lead in solving them.
• You will support the operations and availability of your team’s artifacts by creating and monitoring metrics, escalating when needed, and supporting “keep the lights on” & on-call efforts.
• You will foster a culture of quality and ownership on your team by setting or improving code review and design standards for your team, and advocating for them beyond your team through your writing and tech talks.
• You will help develop talent on your team by providing feedback and guidance, and leading by example.

What We Look For

• You have 4+ years of experience designing, developing and launching backend systems at scale using languages like Python or Kotlin.
• You have a track record of developing highly available distributed systems using technologies like AWS, MySQL and Kubernetes.
• You have experience defining a technical plan for the delivery of a significant feature or system component with an elegant, simple and extensible design. You write high quality code that is easily understood and used by others.
• You are proficient at making significant changes in a large code base, and have developed a suite of tools and practices that enable you and your team to do so safely.
• Your experience demonstrates that you take ownership of your growth, proactively seeking feedback from your team, your manager, and your stakeholders.
• You have strong verbal and written communication skills that support effective collaboration with our global engineering team.

Pay Grade - N

Equity Grade - 6

Employees new to affirm typically come in at the start of the pay range. affirm focuses on providing a simple and transparent pay structure which is based on a variety of factors, including location, experience and job-related skills.

Base pay is part of a total compensation package that may include equity rewards, monthly stipends for health, wellness and tech spending, and benefits (including 100% subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision for you and your dependents.)

CAN base pay range per year: $153,000 - $213,000 CAD

This remote role is open only to candidates residing in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, or Saskatchewan.

Remote-first with flexibility built in

Affirm is proud to be a remote-first company. Most roles can be done from almost anywhere within the country of employment. Some positions may occasionally require in-person work at an affirm office, and a few are office-based due to the nature of the work. All new hires will be invited to attend an in-person onboarding experience.

Benefits Designed For You

• Health coverage at no cost: We cover 100% of premiums for employees and their dependents.
• Spending stipends: Monthly stipends support your tech setup, and the ability to choose health and wellness options that are right for you.
• Time off to recharge: Flexible time off and generous holiday calendars help you rest when you need to.
• Own a piece of what you build: Our employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) lets you buy affirm stock at a discount.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive interview process, including accommodations for candidates with disabilities. If you need support, we’re happy to help.

For positions based in San Francisco or Los Angeles: affirm considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, as required by law.