[Remote] Distinguished Software Engineer, Architecture (Infrastructure) at Affirm

United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

FintechIndustries

Requirements

Proven success leading infrastructure architecture for large-scale, distributed systems
Deep expertise in at least two of the following domains: developer productivity, reliability engineering, data & storage, online services
Strong hands-on knowledge of cloud-native infrastructure (AWS and/or GCP), with AWS expertise preferred
Ability to define and execute long-term infrastructure roadmaps that accelerate developer velocity and system resilience
Track record of mentoring and developing senior ICs and technical leaders
Extensive experience building and operating highly available, performant, and secure systems
Effective communicator, capable of engaging both engineers and executives to drive alignment and clarity
15+ years of software engineering experience, with prior technical leadership roles
Experience in fintech or consumer-facing systems (plus)
JVM experience at scale (plus)
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent practical experience

Responsibilities

Own the architecture, technical roadmap, and delivery outcomes for Affirm’s Infrastructure domain, spanning foundational platforms that enable all of engineering
Shape Affirm’s broader technical direction through leadership within the Architecture Group, driving innovation and architectural coherence across the company
Serve as the accountable technical leader for four critical infrastructure areas: Developer Productivity (CI/CD, application testing, environments & tooling, code standards), Reliability Engineering (SRE practices, observability platforms, reliability engineering frameworks), Data & Storage Services (online storage, data lakes, streaming infrastructure, batch systems), Online Services (traffic management, capacity planning, load testing)
Drive the long-term technical vision for Affirm’s Infrastructure, ensuring scalability, reliability, and developer empowerment
Lead architectural strategy and roadmap definition in collaboration with domain tech leads and the broader Architecture Group
Champion patterns and platforms that maximize developer productivity and system resilience
Define and uphold standards for infrastructure design, operational excellence, and quality
Partner with Product, Platform, and Engineering leadership to ensure infrastructure investments are aligned with business goals
Guide cross-functional teams to deliver foundational services that enable Affirm’s product engineering at scale
Mentor and grow a bench of IC technical leaders across multiple infrastructure domains
Foster a culture of rigor, curiosity, and technical excellence across engineering

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

CI/CDSREObservabilityData LakesStreaming InfrastructureBatch SystemsTraffic ManagementCapacity PlanningLoad TestingReliability Engineering

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What experience level is required for this role?

The role requires 15+ years of software engineering experience, with prior technical leadership roles.

What are the key technical skills needed for this position?

Candidates need proven success leading infrastructure architecture for large-scale distributed systems, deep expertise in at least two domains (developer productivity, reliability engineering, data & storage, online services), and strong hands-on knowledge of cloud-native infrastructure, with AWS expertise preferred.

Is remote work an option for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the salary or compensation for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate stand out for this role?

A strong candidate has a track record of mentoring senior ICs, experience building highly available systems, effective communication skills for engineers and executives, and expertise in fintech or JVM at scale as a plus.

Affirm

Provides buy now, pay later financing solutions

About Affirm

Affirm offers point-of-sale financing solutions as an alternative to traditional credit cards. It allows consumers to make purchases and pay over time through installment plans, often without hidden fees or deferred interest. Affirm partners with merchants to integrate its payment solutions into online and in-store shopping experiences, using user-friendly plugins and APIs. The company generates revenue from interest and fees on loans to consumers, as well as fees from merchants for offering its financing options. Affirm also provides a merchant dashboard for transaction processing and promotional tools to help businesses market these financing options effectively. The goal of Affirm is to empower consumers with flexible payment options while providing value to merchants in the e-commerce and retail markets.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2012Year Founded

$1,113.8MTotal Funding

IPOCompany Stage

Fintech, Financial ServicesIndustries

1,001-5,000Employees

Benefits

Spending wallets: Access tech, food, lifestyle, and family planning wallets for your expenses

Supportive communities: Get involved with our employee resource groups and community groups

Remote-first workforce: If your role is remote, you can set up shop anywhere in your home country

Generous time off: Take the time you need when life happens

Health benefits: Get a plan that fits your needs

Mental healthcare: Take care of your mind with great mental health programs

Parental leave: Birth and non-birth parents get 18 weeks paid leave. Plus, a 4-week return-to-work transition program, at full base pay.

Compensation: We have a simple, flexible, and transparent remote-first compensation structure so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family.

Away days: We offer 24 company-wide paid days off—which help our teams collectively pause to recharge.

Learning & development: Engage in exciting learning programs to level up your growth.

Risks

Increased CFPB regulation could raise compliance costs for Affirm.

Affirm faces competition from new entrants in the BNPL market.

Reliance on partners like Adyen and Apple poses potential revenue risks.

Differentiation

Affirm offers transparent installment loans with no hidden fees or surprises.

Affirm partners with over 2,000 merchants, including major retail brands.

Affirm's user-friendly APIs enable seamless integration with online and in-store platforms.

Upsides

Affirm's partnership with Adyen expands its reach in North America.

Affirm's $4 billion partnership with Sixth Street boosts financial stability.

Affirm's BNPL services gain traction among high-income consumers.

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