Software Engineer II, Backend (Payments) in London

Software Engineer II, Backend (Payments) in London

London Full-Time 101000 - 149000 £ / year (est.) Remote
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team to develop backend systems that handle billions in transactions.
  • Company: Affirm, a remote-first company focused on honest credit solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 100% health coverage, flexible time off, and tech stipends.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with great career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on financial health while working with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: 1.5+ years in software engineering, proficient in Python or Kotlin.

The predicted salary is between 101000 - 149000 £ per year.

At Affirm, we exist for the moments that matter—giving people a clear, predictable way to pay over time, with no hidden fees, no surprises, and no tradeoffs on what matters most. Affirm is reinventing credit to make it more honest and friendly, giving consumers the flexibility to buy now and pay later without any hidden fees or compounding interest. To make Affirm the best way to pay, the Consumer Payments team works to ensure that any customer can successfully utilise their financial data and preferred payment method to transact, without harming their financial health. The systems owned by the Consumer Payments team move billions of dollars per year; this means reliability and scalability are at the heart of everything we do.

What You'll Do

  • With the support of your team’s tech lead and manager, you will break down larger projects into individual tasks, deliver them in multiple phases, and collaborate with others to ensure timely delivery of your work.
  • You will support your peers and stakeholders in the product development lifecycle by collaborating with product management, design & analytics by participating in ideation, articulating technical constraints, and partnering on decisions that properly consider risks and trade-offs.
  • You will support the operations and availability of your team’s artifacts by creating and monitoring metrics, escalating when needed, and supporting “keep the lights on” & on-call efforts.
  • You will contribute to a sense of community on your team by engaging in growth and development activities such as participation in the interview process.

What We Look For

  • You have a total of 1.5+ years of experience as a software engineer.
  • You have experience designing, developing and launching backend systems and are proficient in one of Python or Kotlin.
  • You are familiar with the building blocks of distributed systems, and the technologies like AWS, MySQL and Kubernetes.
  • You have experience designing, developing and launching APIs at scale using languages like Python or Kotlin.
  • You have mastered taking a simple problem or business scenario into a solution that interacts with multiple software components, and executing on it by writing clear, easily understood, well tested and extensible code.
  • You are comfortable navigating a large code base, debugging others' code, and providing feedback to other engineers through code reviews.
  • Your experience demonstrates that you take ownership of your growth, proactively seeking feedback from your team, your manager, and your stakeholders.
  • You have strong verbal and written communication skills that support effective collaboration with our global engineering team.

Benefits designed for you

  • Health coverage at no cost: We cover 100% of premiums for employees and their dependents.
  • Spending stipends: Monthly stipends support your tech setup, and the ability to choose health and wellness options that are right for you.
  • Time off to recharge: Flexible time off and generous holiday calendars help you rest when you need to.
  • Own a piece of what you build: Our employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) lets you buy Affirm stock at a discount.

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Affirm is proud to be a remote-first company. Most roles can be done from almost anywhere within the country of employment. Some positions may occasionally require in-person work at an Affirm office, and a few are office-based due to the nature of the work. All new hires will be invited to attend an in-person onboarding experience.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive interview process, including accommodations for candidates with disabilities. If you need support, we’re happy to help.

Software Engineer II, Backend (Payments) in London employer: Affirm

Affirm is an exceptional employer that prioritises a remote-first work culture, allowing employees to thrive from anywhere in the UK. With a strong focus on employee well-being, Affirm offers comprehensive health coverage, generous stipends for technology and lifestyle needs, and competitive time-off policies, all while fostering an environment of growth and collaboration. Joining the International Expansion Unit as a Staff Software Engineer means being at the forefront of innovative solutions that shape the future of credit, with ample opportunities for professional development and influence within a mission-driven team.

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Contact Details:

Affirm Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Software Engineer II, Backend (Payments) in London

✨Join Local Tech Meetups

Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Affirm or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!

✨Contribute to Open Source Projects

Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Affirm.

✨Tap into Online Developer Communities

Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Affirm.

✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles

Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Affirm that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!

We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer II, Backend (Payments) in London

Python
Kotlin
Backend Development
API Design and Development
Distributed Systems
AWS
MySQL

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.

Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Affirm.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Affirm and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!

Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!

How to prepare for a job interview at Affirm

✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills

For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.

✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks

Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Affirm uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.

✨Showcase Your Projects

Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.

✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions

While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.