Staff Backend Observability Lead - Remote-First

Affirm, Inc.; Detroit (MI); Remote; USD 204,000 - 264,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage for you and dependents

Tech setup stipends

Flexible time off

ESPP stock plan

Job summary

AFFIRM is seeking a Staff Software Engineer for Observability to lead hands-on work and set the roadmap. You will mentor six engineers and partner with infrastructure and product teams to deliver scalable telemetry across 200+ TB/day.

The role blends architecture, coding, and cross‑functional influence in a remote‑first environment. You should bring 8+ years in backend systems, expertise in AWS, MySQL, Flink, Kubernetes, and strong observability principles to help shape reliable, low‑noise

Qualifications

• 8+ years designing, developing and launching backend systems at scale.
• Experience with AWS, MySQL, Flink and Kubernetes.
• Work with telemetry systems using OpenTelemetry, Kafka, Terraform.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture of AFFIRM’s telemetry pipeline for 200+ TB/day.
• Design log sampling to reduce volume and cost without signal loss.
• Define technical strategy and mentor a six-member team.
• Collaborate with product, design & analytics on sustainability and risks.
• Improve monitoring, on‑call readiness, and post‑incident reviews.

Skills

Backend design

Python

Kotlin

AWS

MySQL

Flink

Kubernetes

OpenTelemetry

Kafka

Terraform

Observability

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Terraform

Job description

AFFIRM is seeking a Staff Software Engineer for Observability to lead hands-on work and set the roadmap. You will mentor six engineers and partner with infrastructure and product teams to deliver scalable telemetry across 200+ TB/day.

The role blends architecture, coding, and cross‑functional influence in a remote‑first environment. You should bring 8+ years in backend systems, expertise in AWS, MySQL, Flink, Kubernetes, and strong observability principles to help shape reliable, low‑noise