Staff Software Architect

PayPal

  • San Jose, CA
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 2 days ago
The CompanyPayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy.We operate a global, two-sided network at scale that connects hundreds of millions of merchants and consumers. We help merchants and consumers connect, transact, and complete payments, whether they are online or in person. PayPal is more than a connection to third-party payment networks. We provide proprietary payment solutions accepted by merchants that enable the completion of payments on our platform on behalf of our customers.We offer our customers the flexibility to use their accounts to purchase and receive payments for goods and services, as well as the ability to transfer and withdraw funds. We enable consumers to exchange funds more safely with merchants using a variety of funding sources, which may include a bank account, a PayPal or Venmo account balance, PayPal and Venmo branded credit products, a credit card, a debit card, certain cryptocurrencies, or other stored value products such as gift cards, and eligible credit card rewards. Our PayPal, Venmo, and Xoom products also make it safer and simpler for friends and family to transfer funds to each other. We offer merchants an end-to-end payments solution that provides authorization and settlement capabilities, as well as instant access to funds and payouts. We also help merchants connect with their customers, process exchanges and returns, and manage risk. We enable consumers to engage in cross-border shopping and merchants to extend their global reach while reducing the complexity and friction involved in enabling cross-border trade.Our beliefs are the foundation for how we conduct business every day. We live each day guided by our core values of Inclusion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Wellness. Together, our values ensure that we work together as one global team with our customers at the center of everything we do – and they push us to ensure we take care of ourselves, each other, and our communities.Job Summary: Meet Our TeamWe are a dynamic team of self-driven engineers and product managers on a mission to empower consumers globally through intelligent Digital Wallet solutions. We're seeking a hands-on technical leader who can bridge traditional software engineering with advanced AI/ML capabilities.Your ImpactAs Staff Full-Stack Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across the entire development stack while spearheading AI integration into our products. You'll lead your team through all phases of our software development lifecycle—from architectural decisions to implementation of machine learning models that enhance our payment systems. Your expertise will drive innovations that create exceptional value for merchants and buyers, while improving the scale, reliability, and intelligence of our platforms.Job Description:Essential Responsibilities:
  • Acts as a project or system leader, coordinating the activities of other engineers on the project or within the system
  • Determines the technical tasks that other engineers will follow
  • Actions result in the achievement of customer, operational, program or service objectives
  • Proactively improves existing structures & processes
  • Exercises judgement in reconciling diverse and competing priorities (time, quality, complexity risk) to identify optimal solutions to problems
  • Notices patterns and condenses repetition into densely meaningful generalized solutions
  • Collaborates with management to set/improve standards for engineering rigor
  • Trusted to represent PayPal, Inc to the outside world via interactions with partners, customers, or industry organizations
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience and a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
Preferred Qualification:What You Need to Bring
  • 8+ years of professional experience in software development with demonstrable expertise across front-end and back-end
  • Experience acting as a tech lead for full-stack components, services, or domains, with a focus on both front-end and back-end architecture
  • Strong proficiency in modern front-end frameworks (React, Angular, or Vue.js) and back-end technologies (Node.js, Java, or Python)
  • Strong backend programming skills and previous experience as a Java backend engineer and Python
  • Experience with REST APIs, GraphQL APIs, Unit Testing, and build tools
  • Good understanding and hands-on experience with databases such as MySQL, Oracle, etc.
  • Rich object-oriented design and analysis skills
  • Track record of building high-scale, high-throughput, low-latency systems with AI components
  • Demonstrated ability to balance theoretical AI concepts with practical engineering solutions
  • Experience leading technical teams through complex projects that blend traditional software development
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently or collaboratively
  • Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning in rapidly evolving AI/ML fields
  • Proven track record of mentoring team members and collaborating effectively across disciplines
Your Day-to-DayDrive technical strategy and execution across both front-end and back-end systems
Architect, build, and optimize payment experiences, detect fraud patterns, personalize user interactions, and automate decision-making processes
Lead the design and development of sophisticated user interfaces that leverage AI to simplify complex payment workflows
Personally contribute code across the full technology stack, maintaining a hands-on approach while providing technical leadership
Optimize system performance through monitoring, logging, and metrics, with special attention to AI model performance and efficiency
Champion best practices in software engineering and machine learning development, including clean code, documentation, testing, and model validation
Identify critical non-functional requirements (Availability, Security, Performance, Scalability, and Observability) with specific considerations for AI components
Develop and implement automated testing strategies that encompass both traditional software and machine learning components
Lead continuous improvements to our build, deploy, and model management processes
Mentor junior engineers in both traditional engineering, fostering their professional growth
Stay at the forefront of industry advancements in full-stack development, AI, and machine learning, and strategically introduce relevant technologies to the team
Advocate for and implement strategies to manage technical debt across all system components
Participate in program planning, influencing product and technology roadmaps with AI-driven insightsSubsidiary: PayPalTravel Percent: 0-PayPal is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices.Actual Compensation is based on various factors including but not limited to work location, and relevant skills and experience.The total compensation for this practice may include an annual performance bonus (or other incentive compensation, as applicable), equity, and medical, dental, vision, and other benefits. For more information, visit . The US national annual pay range for this role is $152,500 to $262,350PayPal does not charge candidates any fees for courses, applications, resume reviews, interviews, background checks, or onboarding. Any such request is a red flag and likely part of a scam. To learn more about how to identify and avoid recruitment fraud please visit .For the majority of employees, PayPal's balanced hybrid work model offers 3 days in the office for effective in-person collaboration and 2 days at your choice of either the PayPal office or your home workspace, ensuring that you equally have the benefits and conveniences of both locations.Our Benefits:At PayPal, we’re committed to building an equitable and inclusive global economy. And we can’t do this without our most important asset—you. That’s why we offer benefits to help you thrive in every stage of life. We champion your financial, physical, and mental health by offering valuable benefits and resources to help you care for the whole you.We have great benefits including a flexible work environment, employee shares options, health and life insurance and more. To learn more about our benefits please visit .Who We Are:to learn more about our culture and community.Commitment to Diversity and InclusionPayPal provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, PayPal will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at .Belonging at PayPal:Our employees are central to advancing our mission, and we strive to create an environment where everyone can do their best work with a sense of purpose and belonging. Belonging at PayPal means creating a workplace with a sense of acceptance and security where all employees feel included and valued. We are proud to have a diverse workforce reflective of the merchants, consumers, and communities that we serve, and we continue to take tangible actions to cultivate inclusivity and belonging at PayPal.Any general requests for consideration of your skills, please .We know the confidence gap and imposter syndrome can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates. Please don’t hesitate to apply.

PayPal