Sr. Staff Software Engineer

PayPal; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company at the forefront of digital commerce is seeking a Senior Staff Software Engineer to join their dynamic team. This role offers the opportunity to lead projects that enhance large-scale systems while leveraging cutting-edge technologies. You will be responsible for designing scalable applications and mentoring team members, all while collaborating within a culture that values inclusion and innovation. If you are passionate about technology and eager to make a global impact, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software engineering experience required.
• Proven expertise in large-scale, production-grade systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead major projects to build and improve large-scale systems.
• Design and develop highly scalable applications for mission-critical systems.

Skills

Java

TypeScript

Linux

Cloud Providers (AWS, Azure, GCP)

API Design and Development

Data Handling (SQL, ETLs)

Performance Testing

Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation)

Agile Collaboration

Communication Skills

Job description

The Company

PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy.

We operate a global, two-sided network at scale that connects hundreds of millions of merchants and consumers. We help merchants and consumers connect, transact, and complete payments, whether they are online or in person. PayPal is more than a connection to third-party payment networks. We provide proprietary payment solutions accepted by merchants that enable the completion of payments on our platform on behalf of our customers.

We offer our customers the flexibility to use their accounts to purchase and receive payments for goods and services, as well as the ability to transfer and withdraw funds. We enable consumers to exchange funds more safely with merchants using a variety of funding sources, which may include a bank account, a PayPal or Venmo account balance, PayPal and Venmo branded credit products, a credit card, a debit card, certain cryptocurrencies, or other stored value products such as gift cards, and eligible credit card rewards. Our PayPal, Venmo, and Xoom products also make it safer and simpler for friends and family to transfer funds to each other. We offer merchants an end-to-end payments solution that provides authorization and settlement capabilities, as well as instant access to funds and payouts. We also help merchants connect with their customers, process exchanges and returns, and manage risk. We enable consumers to engage in cross-border shopping and merchants to extend their global reach while reducing the complexity and friction involved in enabling cross-border trade.

Our beliefs are the foundation for how we conduct business every day. We live each day guided by our core values of Inclusion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Wellness. Together, our values ensure that we work together as one global team with our customers at the center of everything we do – and they push us to ensure we take care of ourselves, each other, and our communities.

Job Description Summary:

We are seeking a Senior Staff Software Engineer for PayPal’s Digital Wallets ecosystem. This role focuses on designing scalable systems, leveraging cutting-edge technologies, and leading technical solutions within complex environments. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in distributed systems, technical leadership, and a passion for innovation and global market impact.

Job Description:

Meet our team:

Our team consists of small, self-driven engineers and product managers dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that empower consumers and enable global commerce.

Your role and responsibilities include:

• Leading major projects to build and improve large-scale systems, reducing complexity, increasing automation, and addressing technical debt.
• Building key platform components through pair programming and collaborative development.
• Designing and developing highly scalable, available applications for mission-critical systems.
• Maintaining client-side and server-side software, including Web, REST APIs, GraphQL, real-time, and batch systems.
• Ensuring operational resiliency and collaborating with leadership and cross-functional teams to deliver solutions.
• Mentoring team members and fostering a culture of learning and sharing technology insights.
• Monitoring business impact and performance data to inform improvements.
• Supporting production systems on a rotational basis (approximately one week every two months).

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of software engineering experience.
• Proven expertise in large-scale, production-grade systems.
• Strong skills in Java and TypeScript.
• Linux proficiency and scripting language experience.
• Experience with cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• API design and development expertise.
• Data handling skills with SQL, ETLs, and data analysis.
• Experience with messaging platforms (e.g., Kafka, SQS/SNS).
• Performance testing, infrastructure as code (Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Ability to work in agile environments and collaborate across teams.
• Excellent communication, ownership, and customer focus.

Additional Information:

PayPal offers competitive compensation, benefits, and a hybrid work model. For more details, visit https://www.paypalbenefits.com.