Staff Software Engineer - Python

PayPal Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 262,000; Full time

Job summary

PayPal is seeking a Staff Backend Python Engineer to design, build, and scale backend systems powering global transactions. You will lead architecture, mentor engineers, and Champion reliable, scalable software for PayPal’s payments platform.

The role requires deep distributed systems knowledge, cloud-native architectures, and hands-on Python (Django or Flask) with a focus on performance and security. Primary location is San Jose, CA.

Qualifications

• 5+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a project or system leader, coordinating the activities of other engineers on the project or within the system
• Determines the technical tasks that other engineers will follow
• Actions result in the achievement of customer, operational, program or service objectives
• Proactively improves existing structures & processes
• Exercises judgement in reconciling diverse and competing priorities to identify optimal solutions
• Collaborates with management to set/improve standards for engineering rigor
• Trusted to represent PayPal to partners, customers, or industry organizations

Skills

Python backend

Distributed systems

Cloud platforms

Microservices

Leadership

Agile/Scrum

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

AWS

GCP

Azure

Job description

Company Overview

The CompanyPayPal 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 Summary

At PayPal, Staff Software Engineers are hands‑on technical leaders who design, build, and scale the systems that power millions of secure global transactions every day. As a Backend Python Engineer, you will architect and deliver high‑performance, fault‑tolerant backend solutions that directly impact customer experiences and business success. You'll define technical direction, lead complex engineering efforts, and mentor teams to achieve excellence in design, development, and delivery. This role requires a deep understanding of distributed systems, cloud‑native architectures, and a passion for building reliable, resilient software that drives PayPal's mission of democratizing financial services.

Job Description

Essential Responsibilities:

• Acts as a project or system leader, coordinating the activities of other engineers on the project or within the system
• Determines the technical tasks that other engineers will follow
• Actions result in the achievement of customer, operational, program or service objectives
• Proactively improves existing structures & processes
• Exercises judgement in reconciling diverse and competing priorities (time, quality, complexity risk) to identify optimal solutions to problems
• Notices patterns and condenses repetition into densely meaningful generalized solutions
• Collaborates with management to set/improve standards for engineering rigor
• Trusted to represent PayPal, Inc to the outside world via interactions with partners, customers, or industry organizations

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Responsibilities & Preferred Qualifications:

• Lead the design and architecture of scalable, cloud‑native backend systems leveraging microservices and serverless frameworks.
• Define and drive the technical roadmap, ensuring engineering initiatives align with strategic business goals.
• Act as a project or system leader, coordinating the activities of other engineers and setting clear technical direction.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, fostering a culture of innovation, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Architect and develop large‑scale backend systems using Python (Django or Flask) with a focus on performance, reliability, and maintainability.
• Establish and uphold engineering standards, promoting code quality, design excellence, and operational rigor.
• Design and implement fault‑tolerant, high‑availability systems with strong disaster recovery capabilities.
• Apply advanced security practices, including secure coding, encryption, and access control, to ensure compliance and data protection.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Product, Infrastructure, Operations) to deliver impactful business outcomes.
• Continuously improve existing technical frameworks, development processes, and system performance.
• Exercise sound judgment in balancing time, quality, complexity, and risk to deliver optimal solutions.
• Represent PayPal externally in interactions with partners, customers, and industry organizations to promote technical excellence.
• Experience applying Agile/Scrum methodologies to software development.
• Proven background in large‑scale, high‑performance system design and optimization.
• Familiarity with the payments industry, financial systems, or relevant regulatory environments.
• Hands‑on experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure.
• Demonstrated contributions to open‑source projects or developer communities.

About the Team

The Consumer Engineering team powers the experiences that millions of PayPal customers use every day to send, spend, and manage their money safely and effortlessly. We design and build reliable, high‑performance systems that drive trust and simplicity across PayPal's global ecosystem. Our team partners closely with product, design, and data science to deliver innovative, customer‑first solutions that advance PayPal's mission to make financial services more accessible, inclusive, and empowering for people everywhere.

Pay

Primary Location | Pay Range:San Jose, California | ($176,500-$259,158 Salary)

Additional Location(s) | Pay Range:Austin, Texas | ($160,500-$235,826 Salary)

Subsidiary:PayPalTravel Percent:0-The base pay for this role will depend on where you work and the relevant experience and expertise you bring. The expected range of pay for this role by location is:Primary Location | Pay Range:San Jose, California: ($176,500.00 - $262,350.00 Annually)Additional Location(s) | Pay Range:Austin, Texas: ($160,500.00 - $238,700.00 Annually)

Benefits

• We strive to create a flexible, balanced work culture with a holistic approach to benefits
• generous paid time off, healthcare coverage for you and your family, and resources to create financial security and support your mental health.

Diversity & Inclusion

PayPal provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, PayPal will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [e-mail].

Belonging at PayPal

Our employees are central to advancing our mission, and we strive to create an environment where everyone can do their best work with a sense of purpose and belonging. Belonging at PayPal means creating a workplace with a sense of acceptance and security where all employees feel included and valued. We are proud to have a diverse workforce reflective of the merchants, consumers, and communities that we serve, and we continue to take tangible actions to cultivate inclusivity and belonging at PayPal.