Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Search)
Core
Setting technical strategy for a new team owning search, recommendations, and discovery experiences on Affirm's advertising platform and Marketplace.
Role type
Staff Software Engineer (Backend Search)
Builds
Search and recommendation systems for consumer discovery and merchant monetization
Domain
Fintech / E-commerce / Search & Recommendation
Deliverable
production ML models
Required skills
Backend system design at scale, distributed systems architecture, Python, Kotlin, AWS, MySQL, Spark, Kubernetes, Search/Recommendation engine development, Technical strategy definition, Team leadership, Code review standards, On-call operations management
Preferred skills
React UI frameworks, Experience with agentic platforms, Ambiguity navigation, Cross-functional collaboration
Technologies
Python, Kotlin, AWS, MySQL, Spark, Kubernetes, React
Responsibilities
Define and execute year-long technical strategy, Collaborate with product/design/analytics on system risks and trade-offs, Establish operational processes and monitoring for team stability, Set code review and design standards, Mentor and develop team talent
Seniority
Staff, hands-on IC with strategic scope
