JobsBackendStaff Software Engineer, Backend (Online Storage)
Affirm

Affirm

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Backend

Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Online Storage)

RemoteLeadPosted Aug 17, 2026
PythonKotlinMySQLDynamoDBRedisAWSKubernetesSpark+16 more

About this role

Affirm is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to drive the technical roadmap for their Online Storage platform, managing mission-critical databases including MySQL, DynamoDB, and Redis at scale. You'll design and build components of a scalable datastore platform, develop control planes for self-service database management, and lead technical strategy for the Data and Storage Services team.

Must have

8+ years of experience designing, developing and launching backend systems at scale using Python or Kotlin

Extensive track record of developing highly available distributed systems using AWS, MySQL, Spark and Kubernetes

5+ years of hands-on Database Expertise with deep knowledge of Relational and/or Distributed SQL

Deep understanding of Database fundamentals including schema design, query optimization, scaling, partitioning, sharding and performance tuning

Strong background and expertise in building and operating databases in cloud environments

Expertise in database benchmarking, load testing, and capacity planning

Familiarity with connection poolers and proxies such as ProxySQL, RDS Proxy, Pg Bouncer

Experience delivering major features, system components or deprecating existing functionality through technical and execution plans

Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with global engineering team

Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent practical experience

Technologies

PythonAWSSparkKotlinGitDockerRESTLinuxPostgreSQLMySQLTerraformKafkaNoSQLMicroservicesRedisCloudDynamoDBKubernetesCI/CDTiDBVitessProxySQLPg BouncerDistributed SQL

Responsibilities

Set technical strategy for the team on a year-long time scale aligned with critical business-impacting projects

Work closely with and contribute to product, infrastructure, and site reliability engineering teams

Design and build components of a scalable datastore platform for multi-region, horizontally scalable, globally available solutions

Develop control planes for management and self service of hundreds of databases at scale

Automate schema and data migrations, disaster recovery, sharding and performance tuning

Collaborate across teams in the product development lifecycle focusing on database solutions

Act as a force-multiplier through definition and advocacy of technical solutions and operational processes

Ensure right monitoring, triage rotations, playbooks, policies, testing and alerting for operations and availability

Foster culture of quality and ownership by setting code review and design standards

Help develop talent on the team by providing feedback, guidance, and leading by example

Benefits

Flexible time offHealth insuranceDental insuranceVision insuranceEmployee share purchase planWellness platform with incentivesCompetitive salary and stock option planPaid vacationHome office allowance

Amenities

100% subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision for you and your dependentsFlexible Spending Wallets with generous stipends for Technology, Food, Lifestyle needs, and family forming expensesCompetitive vacation and holiday schedulesESPP enabling purchase of Affirm shares at a discount

Recruitment process

1

This posting is for an existing vacancy

2

Pay Grade - P, Equity Grade - 7

3

Employees new to Affirm typically come in at the start of the pay range

4

Affirm focuses on simple and transparent pay structure based on location, experience and job-related skills

5

Base pay is part of total compensation package including monthly stipends for health, wellness and tech spending

6

Employees may be eligible for equity rewards offered by Affirm Holdings, Inc.

7

This remote role is open only to candidates residing in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, or Saskatchewan

8

Affirm is a remote-first company with majority of roles remote

9

Affirm is proud to be a remote-first company

10

Affirm offers inclusive interview experience with reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities