Backend Software Engineer (Node.js, MySQL)
About The Company:
Affirm is a leading financial technology company committed to providing transparent, flexible, and responsible credit solutions to consumers worldwide. Our mission is to deliver a better financial experience by leveraging innovative technology, data-driven insights, and a customer-centric approach. At the heart of our operations is a dedication to building trust and safety into every aspect of our platform, ensuring secure and compliant financial transactions. We foster a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative culture that encourages continuous learning and growth. Our remote-first environment allows talented professionals to work from anywhere, contributing to our global impact and success.
About The Role:
We are seeking a highly experienced Staff Software Engineer to join our Trust and Safety Foundations team within Checkout Engineering. In this critical role, you will be instrumental in shaping the technical strategy and leading complex, high-impact initiatives that underpin our core risk assessment and credit reporting systems. You will be responsible for designing scalable, reliable, and secure systems that support our compliance obligations and risk management processes. This position offers an excellent opportunity to influence the technical direction of foundational infrastructure, collaborate across multiple teams, and mentor engineering talent. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise, strong ownership mentality, and the ability to navigate ambiguity in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
Qualifications:
- 8+ years of experience in designing, developing, and deploying backend systems at scale
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or Kotlin
- Extensive experience with distributed systems architecture and cloud technologies, especially AWSStrong understanding of databases, including MySQL, and data processing frameworks like SparkHands-on experience with container orchestration tools such as Kubernetes
- Proven track record of delivering major features, system components, or deprecating legacy systems with clear technical plans
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective cross-functional collaboration
- Ability to thrive in ambiguous environments, translating high-level concepts into concrete technical solutions
- Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
Responsibilities:
- Define and execute the technical strategy for the Trust and Safety Foundations team aligned with business goals
- Lead the design, development, and deployment of scalable, reliable, and secure core systems supporting risk assessment and credit reporting
- Translate ambiguous problems into clear technical approaches and guide projects from conception through execution
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product management, design, and analytics to ensure technical sustainability and manage risks
- Establish and enforce high standards for code quality, system design, and operational excellence through code reviews, design standards, and best practices
- Develop and maintain monitoring, alerting, and operational procedures to ensure system availability and reliability
- Act as a technical mentor and leader, fostering a culture of ownership, quality, and continuous improvement within the team
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, and talent development initiatives to grow engineering capabilities
- Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Benefits:
- Competitive, transparent remote-first compensation structure
- Access to tech, food, lifestyle, and family planning wallets for personal expenses
- Participation in employee resource groups and community initiatives
- Flexible remote work setup, allowing you to work from anywhere in your home country
- Generous paid time off to support work-life balance
- Comprehensive health benefits tailored to your needs
- Mental health programs and support services to promote well-being
- Paid parental leave: 18 weeks for birth and non-birth parents, including a 4-week transition program20 company-wide paid days off for team recharging and reflection
- Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development through various programs
Equal Opportunity
Affirm is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all employees. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.