Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Consumer)

Affirm, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 170,000 - 255,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Stipends for tech setup

Flexible time off

ESPP

Job summary

Affirm, Inc. is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to own and deliver scalable backend systems. You’ll collaborate with a global team, write high-quality code, and drive architectural decisions for the next generation of the Affirm platform.

The role emphasizes ownership, collaboration, and delivering reliable, extensible solutions. This remote-first position offers strong compensation and a comprehensive benefits package across the United States.

Qualifications

• 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.
• This position requires either equivalent practical experience or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver quarterly goals for your team, leading engineers through ambiguity to solve open-ended problems.
• Collaborate with product management, design & analytics in ideation, articulating constraints, and balancing risks and trade-offs.
• Identify and lead efforts to address project, process, technology, or business issues.
• Support operations and availability of team artifacts by creating/monitoring metrics and on-call readiness.
• Foster a culture of quality and ownership by setting code review and design standards.
• Develop talent by giving feedback and leading by example.

Skills

Backend development

Distributed systems

Python

Kotlin

AWS

MySQL

Kubernetes

Technical planning

Code ownership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

At Affim, 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.

Consumer Engineering builds the affirm experience millions of people use to pay over time, honestly and without hidden fees. We own the affirm app, web checkout, and the account tools people use to manage purchases, payments, and savings. Our engineers work closely with product and design to ship fast, test often, and make every interaction simple and transparent.

You will be matched with a role on Consumer Engineering after completing the interview evaluation process. Your recruiter will work closely with you throughout the process to understand your interests and experience to find the strongest role fit.

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.
• This position requires either equivalent practical experience or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Base Pay Grade – N Equity Grade – USA 9 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.)

USA Pacific base pay range (CA, WA, NY, NJ, CT): $195,000 – $255,000

USA Sapphire base pay range (all other U.S. states): $173,000 – $233,000

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

Our benefits reflect our commitment to care, transparency, and flexibility. Here are a few highlights:

• 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.