Senior Backend Platform Engineer — Python, AWS & Security

PayPal; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 197,000 - 292,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Health insurance

Equity

Job summary

PayPal’s Venmo team seeks a senior backend leader to own the CFS backend platform, drive architecture across multiple teams, and implement secure, scalable systems at scale. You will mentor engineers and partner with product, security, and legal to translate regulatory requirements into robust engineering solutions.

You’ll work within PayPal’s hybrid model in San Jose, CA, contributing to high-impact financial services infrastructure and cross-border capabilities.

Qualifications

• 8+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Deep expertise in Python and API management (OAuth 2.0, OIDC, SAML, FIDO2/WebAuthn).
• Experience shipping large-scale distributed systems and leading multi-team initiatives.
• Hands-on with backend systems at scale (Python/Java/Go) and AWS.
• Experience with regulatory requirements (KYC/AML/GDPR).

Responsibilities

• Make technical decisions affecting multiple teams across the org.
• Establish conventions and processes for engineering teams.
• Own multi-team initiatives and prioritize effectively.
• Communicate technical issues to non-technical audiences.
• Mentor senior engineers and drive design excellence.
• Collaborate with Product, Legal, Compliance and Security on regulatory needs.

Skills

Python

Backend engineering

Distributed systems

API management

Cloud AWS

Terraform

Security/compliance

Communication

Leadership/mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s in Computer Science

Master’s in Computer Science

Tools

Terraform

OAuth 2.0

Job description

PayPal’s Venmo team seeks a senior backend leader to own the CFS backend platform, drive architecture across multiple teams, and implement secure, scalable systems at scale. You will mentor engineers and partner with product, security, and legal to translate regulatory requirements into robust engineering solutions.

You’ll work within PayPal’s hybrid model in San Jose, CA, contributing to high-impact financial services infrastructure and cross-border capabilities.