Senior Backend Architect, Payments Platform (Python)

almapay.com; Paris; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Alma is looking for a Senior Backend Software Engineer in Paris, France, to develop APIs and backend systems that facilitate payments for merchants. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience, proficiency in Python, and a solid understanding of relational databases. Candidates should be fluent in French and possess strong problem-solving skills. Alma values diversity and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply. They offer a collaborative work environment focused on innovation and mutual respect.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience with large-scale backend systems.
• Proficient with Python and relational databases.
• Fluent in French and a good level in English.

Responsibilities

• Create APIs and backend components for payments.
• Write maintainable code that meets quality and security standards.
• Evolve architecture in collaboration with product team.

Skills

Python

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science

Tools

Docker

GCP

Kubernetes

Postgres

Redis

PubSub

Datadog

Job description

🧡 About Alma

At Alma, we believe sustainable commerce depends on fair, well-balanced trade. Because finance plays a pivotal role in business, our mission is to put it back in its rightful place - serving merchants and consumers.

Our installment and deferred payment solutions help merchants boost sales by 20% or more, increase customer loyalty, and deliver a seamless shopping experience - without encouraging bad debt.

As the buy now pay later leader in France and active in 10 European countries, we've empowered over +25,000 merchants and 10 million consumers.

With 380+ Almakers and €100M+ ARR, Alma is scaling rapidly across Europe as a member of the Next40, and we're just getting started!

👐 About the team

We are hiring for different squads. We will direct you to a specific team depending on your interests and skills.

This position is a permanent contract (CDI) based in Paris or remote from France.

💼 About the job

Build the payment infrastructure of tomorrow

• Design and develop the APIs and backend components that power payments for thousands of merchants and millions of consumers across Europe.

Raise the bar on quality, security & performance

• Write maintainable, production-grade code that meets the highest standards of a regulated company processing billions of euros.

Shape our technical architecture

• Collaborate closely with Product and other tech leaders to evolve our architecture in line with growing business needs.

Own reliability end-to-end

• Lead incident response and performance troubleshooting, driving long-term improvements to ensure our platform stays resilient at scale.

🧰 You will work with

Python, Docker, React, GCP, Kubernetes, PostgreSQL, Redis, Pub/Sub, Datadog

🧩 About you

To succeed in this job

• 8+ years of experiencein backend engineering on large-scale systems (excluding internships and apprenticeships)
• Strong proficiency inPythonandrelational databases— we're open to other backend languages, but Python is our core stack
• Fluency in Frenchwith a solid level of English
• Methodical, with strong communication and problem-solving skills; at ease working in a cross-functional environment

And it will be nice if you also

• Have experience buildingpayment or financial solutions
• Have a track record ofinfluencing product and technical decisionsat scale
• Hold aBachelor's or Master's degreein Computer Science or a related field

Don't meet every single requirement? At Alma, we believe great hires come from diverse paths. If this role excites you, we encourage you to apply. We value potential, curiosity and the ability to grow as much as experience.

🧘 What's in it for you

If you join, you will be able to grow and impact on:

• Real-world scale— your code will directly power payments for millions of consumers and tens of thousands of merchants across Europe.
• Technical ownership— you'll have genuine influence over architecture decisions, not just implementation.
• A regulated, fast-moving environment— you'll tackle the unique challenges of building robust, secure fintech infrastructure in a company that's still moving fast.

🤑 Compensation & benefits

• Competitive salarybased on 12 months
• Profit-sharing and employee savings plan
• Health insurance:100%covered by Alma including family package
• Disability insurance:100%covered by Alma
• Sport: partnerships withGymlibandClasspass, or€30/monthreimbursement for your sports activities
• Maternity/paternity leave: salary maintained at 100% during leave with no seniority requirement. Return to work at 4/5 schedule paid at 100% for 8 weeks.
• Sustainable Mobility Package (FMD):€544.80/year(excluding full-remote contracts)
• Meal vouchers:€10/day, 50% covered by Alma
• Mental health:free access to MindDay platform
• Paid time off: 25 days/year (+ additional paid leave granted for employees on executive contracts)
• Access to ourLearning & Development Platform
• 2 weeks of full remote possibleper year in summer

🎯 Interview Process

• Video call with a Talent Acquisition team memberto understand your path, motivation & present you the role.
• Video call with your future managerto deep dive the role, the team, your profile and answer all your questions.
• Take-home coding test, followed by a remote feedback session.
• Live system design interviewto assess your practical and architectural knowledge.
• A coffee chat with the squad you’ll jointo further assess your skills and team fit.

More information on the hiring process can be found in our Interview Guide.

🌍 Diversity & Inclusion

At Alma, we believe that diversity fuels innovation and makes our community stronger. We are committed to building a workplace where every person feels seen, respected, and empowered to do their best work whatever their gender, background, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability or lived experience. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applicants from all walks of life, and all employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.