Staff SW Engineer

Visa; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Visa is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to design scalable backend systems that integrate AI agents into Visa's enterprise infrastructure. You will architect an Agentic AI Platform using Java/Spring Boot and Python, enabling multi-agent orchestration and RAG within a distributed microservices environment.

The role emphasizes leadership, fast delivery, and collaboration with ML engineers and product leads to shape the platform roadmap.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant work experience with a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Experience in Java with Spring Boot and Python backend development.
• Leadership or senior engineering responsibilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Architect and evolve the Agentic AI Platform for multi-agent orchestration and RAG.
• Design scalable backend systems using Java Spring Boot and Python FastAPI/Flask.
• Lead distributed, fault-tolerant system design with observability and scaling.
• Mentor engineers and drive design reviews with product leads.

Skills

Java

Spring Boot

Python

Distributed systems

GenAI integration

REST/gRPC

Kubernetes

Docker

LLM orchestration

Event-driven UX/API

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Prometheus/Grafana

Kafka

Pinecone/Vector DB

LangChain/LangGraph/Autogen

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

Role Summary:

Visa is building a next-generation Agentic AI Platform that brings intelligent, autonomous agents into large-scale distributed applications across our global ecosystem.

We're seeking a Staff Software Engineer who will design and build scalable backend systems that integrate AI agents into Visa's enterprise infrastructure. You will work with other engineers and technical leaders to define the architecture, scaling strategy, and engineering standards for Visa's AI-driven products.

This is a role for a self-driven engineer - a go-getter, builder, and problem solver with deep experience in Java microservices, GenAI integration, and distributed system design, and a true-north, entrepreneurial mindset focused on speed, quality, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

Architecture & Design:

• Architect and evolve the Agentic AI Platform to support multi-agent orchestration, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and integration with existing Visa microservices. Design scalable, secure backend systems using Java (Spring Boot) and Python (FastAPI/Flask). Develop RESTful and gRPC APIs that connect backend services, AI agents, and React front-end applications.

AI & GenAI Integration:

• Integrate Large Language Models (LLMs) such as GPT, Claude, Mistral, and Gemini into backend systems. Build and optimize RAG pipelines using vector databases (Pinecone, Weaviate, FAISS). Develop orchestration and agentic workflows using LangChain, LangGraph, or Autogen.

Scalability & Reliability:

• Lead the design and implementation of distributed, fault-tolerant systems that scale horizontally. Implement auto-scaling, monitoring, and observability using Kubernetes, Docker, and Prometheus/Grafana. Drive best practices for latency reduction, cost optimization, and service reliability.

Leadership & Execution:

• Partner with other senior engineers, ML engineers, and product leads to define and deliver the platform roadmap. Mentor developers, set coding standards, and lead design reviews. Deliver results with urgency - balancing innovation with enterprise rigor.

Innovation & Strategy:

• Explore new frameworks, architectures, and deployment models to push the boundaries of Agentic AI in production. Drive continuous improvement, automation, and open-source adoption across the engineering organization.

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:

• 6+ years of backend software development experience with Java and Spring Boot.
• Experience in software engineering or a directly related field.
• Experience in developing and/or implementing web-based or mobile applications.
• Experience in a leadership role with or without direct reports.
• Experience in technologies/software systems or a directly related field.
• Experience in creating and maintaining test plans and executing testing procedures.
• Experience in debugging and troubleshooting software issues.
• Experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver technical solutions.
• Experience in code review and applying coding standards.
• Experience in building or enhancing developer tools.
• 2+ years of backend experience with Python (FastAPI, Flask, or similar frameworks).
• Production-level experience in building and deploying AI Agentic solutions, including orchestration of LLM-based agents, integration with enterprise microservices, and troubleshooting live production environments.
• Hands-on experience implementing LLM, GenAI, and RAG systems using frameworks such as LangChain, LangGraph, or Autogen.
• * Strong understanding of AI orchestration and LLM integration patterns in distributed environments.
• Proven experience building and scaling distributed microservice architectures.
• Proficiency in REST/gRPC API design, event-driven architectures, and message queues (Kafka, RabbitMQ).
• Experience with vector databases (Pinecone, Weaviate, FAISS) and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines.
• Hands-on expertise with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure).
• Familiarity with SQL and NoSQL databases (MySQL, DynamoDB, MongoDB).
• Experience with containerization and CI/CD pipelines (Docker, Kubernetes, ArgoCD, Jenkins, GitHub Actions).
• Excellent debugging, performance optimization, and system design skills at scale.

Leadership Attributes:

• Go-Getter: Executes decisively, drives clarity, and thrives in ambiguity.
• Builder: Hands-on technologist who delivers high-impact systems from prototype to production.
• Hustler: Operates with urgency and persistence to overcome obstacles.
• Entrepreneurial: Innovates beyond defined scope, with ownership and bias for action.
• True North: Leads with integrity, clarity, and long-term vision.
• Lead by Example: Demonstrates accountability, openness, and excellence in technical and people leadership.
• Execute with Excellence: Sets a high bar for quality, collaboration, and delivery across multi-disciplinary engineering teams.

Tech Stack Snapshot:

• Languages: Java (Spring Boot), Python (FastAPI, Flask), TypeScript
• AI Frameworks: LangChain, LangGraph, Autogen, LlamaIndex
• LLMs: GPT, Claude, Mistral, Gemini
• Data: PostgreSQL, Redis, Pinecone, FAISS
• Infra: Docker, Kubernetes, ArgoCD, AWS/GCP
• Frontend Integration: React, GraphQL, REST/gRPC APIs

Information for US Applicants

For roles located in the US, the estimated salary range for this position is $131,600.00 to $ 210,300.00 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.