Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Merchant & Partner Lifecycle)

Kibbi; Saskatoon; Remote; CAD 153,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% health coverage

Monthly tech stipends

Flexible time off

Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)

Job summary

Affir is a remote-first company that seeks to reimagine how merchants pay over time. You will build the lifecycle-orchestrator service powering multiple connected systems, delivering availability improvements through simplification and modernization.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate with the Engineering Manager and Team Lead, and drive a forward-looking technical strategy that impacts the broader organization. The role offers strong compensation and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a backend software engineer.
• Strong understanding of Domain-Driven Design and distributed systems.
• Proficiency with API design, state machines, event-driven architecture, and database design.
• Excellent communication; proficient in asynchronous collaboration.
• Experience designing, developing, and launching backend systems on AWS, gRPC, Snowflake, Kotlin, Python, MySQL, and Kubernetes.

Responsibilities

• Design and scale the platform to support hundreds of thousands of merchants worldwide.
• Align work scope with other teams for cross-team projects.
• Mentor engineers to support their growth.
• Partner with Engineering Manager and Team Lead to drive long-term vision.
• Execute technical strategy across broad or complex requirements.
• Improve engineering standards, tooling, and processes.

Skills

Backend engineering

Domain-Driven Design

Distributed systems

API design

Asynchronous communication

Monitoring/alerting

Tools

AWS

gRPC

Snowflake

Kubernetes

Kotlin

Python

MySQL

Java

Kibana

Sentry

Rollbar

Chronosphere

Job description

At Affir, we exist for the moments that matter—giving people a clear, predictable way to pay over time, with no hidden fees, no surprises, and no tradeoffs on what matters most.

The Merchant & Partner Lifecycle (M&PL) team is at the forefront of architectural transformation. We are addressing critical architectural risks by consolidating merchant lifecycle orchestration into a newly cohesive domain.

You will act as a technical leader responsible for building out the brand new lifecycle-orchestrator service that’s at the heart of multiple connected systems. Your work will deliver immediate availability improvements through system simplification and isolation, and modernize older parts of the codebase.

What You'll Do

• Design & expand the backbone of our platform to scale to hundreds of thousands of merchants from all around the world
• Design and align the scope of work with other teams to deliver cross-team projects
• Mentor other engineers to ensure their development & growth
• Partner with Engineering Manager and Team Lead to drive and execute the long-term vision of the team
• Execute technical strategy for broad or complex requirements with insightful and forward-looking approaches that go beyond the direct team and solve large open-ended problems
• Utilize agentic development tools like Claude Code to automate parts of the development process
• Improve engineering standards, tooling, and processes throughout the organization

What We Look For

• 5+ years of experience as a backend software engineer
• A strong understanding of Domain-Driven Design, distributed systems, and how architectural decisions affect performance and maintainability
• Proficiency with data models, API design (http and RPC), state machines, event-driven architecture, and database design
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Must be proficient in asynchronous communication–written tech specs, ADRs, project plans, etc.
• Experience designing, developing, and launching backend systems (our stack: AWS, gRPC, Snowflake, Kotlin, Python, MySQL, Kubernetes). Java and Kotlin experience are especially helpful.
• Prior experience with monitoring and alerting systems (sentry.io, rollbar, chronosphere, kibana)

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 Affir stock at a discount.

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 Affir 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.

Pay Grade - N

Equity Grade - 6

Employees new to Affir typically come in at the start of the pay range. Affir 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.) In addition, the employees may be eligible for equity rewards offered by Affir Holdings, Inc. (parent company).

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

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: Affir considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, as required by law.