Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Consumer)

Affirm, Inc.; Cleveland (OH); Remote; USD 173,000 - 233,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% health coverage for you and your:

Tech stipend for setup

Flexible time off

Equity via ESPP

Job summary

Affirm, Inc. is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to own the design, development, and delivery of scalable backend systems. You will work with Python or Kotlin, AWS, MySQL, and Kubernetes to build highly available services and guide architectural decisions.

This remote-friendly role emphasizes ownership, collaboration with product/design/analytics, and a focus on delivering high-quality code with clear trade-offs.

Qualifications

• 4+ years designing, developing and launching backend systems at scale.
• Experience with Python or Kotlin in production systems.
• Proven ability to build highly available distributed systems using AWS, MySQL and Kubernetes.
• Ability to craft a technical plan for delivery of a significant feature.
• Strong ownership mindset and growth mindset, proactive feedback.
• Strong verbal and written communication for global teams.

Responsibilities

• Own quarterly goals for your team and lead engineers through ambiguity.
• Collaborate with product, design and analytics on requirements and constraints.
• Identify and drive resolution of project, process or technology issues.
• Support operations and on-call efforts, monitor metrics.
• Raise quality by setting code review and design standards.
• Develop talent by providing feedback and mentoring.

Skills

Backend design

Python/Kotlin

Distributed systems

AWS/MySQL/Kubernetes

Technical leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

AWS

MySQL

Kubernetes

Job description

At affirm, 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

• 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.