Staff SW Engineer

Visa; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 135,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Visa is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to design and deliver scalable backend services, APIs, and platform components within the Intelligent Commerce ecosystem. You’ll work with engineers, product managers, and architects to create reliable, scalable systems and contribute hands-on through the full software lifecycle.

The role emphasizes cloud-native microservices, system design, and collaboration across cross-functional teams, with a focus on mentorship and engineering excellence.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 2 years of work experience with an Advanced degree or 0 years with a PhD, OR 8+ years of relevant work experience.
• Experience building scalable distributed systems and cloud-native applications.
• Strong proficiency in Java and/or Python; familiarity with microservices and REST APIs.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable backend services, APIs, and platform capabilities supporting Intelligent Commerce products.
• Build cloud-native applications using modern microservices architectures.
• Participate in technical design discussions and contribute to architecture decisions within your domain.
• Translate business and product requirements into robust technical implementations.
• Deliver high-quality software through coding, testing, debugging, and performance optimization.
• Contribute to system reliability, observability, and operational excellence.
• Support CI/CD pipelines and development productivity improvements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Perform code reviews and uphold engineering best practices.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical skill development across the team.
• Leverage AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering efficiency and quality.

Skills

Distributed systems

API design

Java/Python

Microservices

Cloud-native

System design

Mentoring

CI/CD

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree (Masters/MBA/JD/MD)

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

CI/CD tools

REST APIs

Job description

About Us

Visa is a world leader in payments technology, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories, dedicated to uplifting everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

At Visa, you'll have the opportunity to create impact at scale — tackling meaningful challenges, growing your skills and seeing your contributions impact lives around the world.

Join Visa and do work that matters – to you, to your community, and to the world. Progress starts with you.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled Staff Software Engineer to help design and deliver key platform capabilities within Visa’s Intelligent Commerce ecosystem.

This role focuses on building scalable backend services, APIs, and platform components that power merchant integrations and intelligent commerce experiences. You will work closely with engineers, product managers, and architects to develop high-quality solutions while contributing hands‑on throughout the software development lifecycle.

This is a hands‑on technical role requiring strong software engineering fundamentals, system design experience, and a passion for building reliable, scalable systems.

Essential Functions

• Design and develop scalable backend services, APIs, and platform capabilities supporting Intelligent Commerce products
• Build cloud-native applications using modern microservices architectures
• Participate in technical design discussions and contribute to architecture decisions within your domain
• Translate business and product requirements into robust technical implementations
• Deliver high-quality software through coding, testing, debugging, and performance optimization
• Contribute to system reliability, scalability, observability, and operational excellence
• Support CI/CD pipelines and development productivity improvements
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated solutions
• Perform code reviews and uphold engineering best practices
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical skill development across the team
• Leverage AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering efficiency and quality.

Why This Role

• Build innovative commerce platforms at global scale
• Work on next-generation AI-powered commerce experiences
• Influence technical decisions while remaining deeply hands‑on
• Grow into broader technical leadership opportunities

Visa requires at least 3 days in office, expectations of these days will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 2 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 0 years of work experience with a PhD, OR 8+ years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 2 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 0 years of work experience with a PhD, OR 8+ years of relevant work experience.
• 8+ years of experience building scalable distributed systems
• Strong proficiency in Java and/or Python
• Experience with microservices, REST APIs, Kubernetes, Docker, and CI/CD
• Knowledge of cloud-native application development
• Experience designing and supporting production systems
• Exposure to AI-enabled systems, intelligent platforms, or large-scale commerce experiences
• Familiarity with React or Angular is a plus

Skills You Bring

• Strong software engineering and coding expertise
• Solid system design and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to deliver features independently
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• Ownership mindset and operational excellence
• Passion for mentoring peers and improving engineering practices.

Information for US Applicants

For roles located in the US, the estimated salary range for this position is $134,500.00 to $ 214,700.00 USD per year, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.

Work Hours

Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements

This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements

This position will be performed in an office setting. The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protect veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.