Principal Software Engineer Architecture
@ Affirm

Hybrid
£210,000
Hybrid
Full Time
Posted 13 hours ago

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XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX****** @affirm.com
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Job Details

Overview

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. In this role as Principal Software Engineer Architecture, you will be a senior member of Affirm’s Architecture Group reporting directly to the Head of Architecture with a dotted line to Affirm’s EU leadership.

Key Responsibilities

  • Drive the long-term technical vision for international expansion with focus on compliance, localization, payments, and cross-border trade.
  • Lead architectural strategy and roadmap definition for the European market in collaboration with tech leads and EU leadership.
  • Ensure systems adapt to country-specific requirements including KYC/AML, payments infrastructure, and localization.
  • Maintain high standards for design and code quality through reviews, mentoring, and guidance.
  • Mentor senior individual contributors and build a strong EU-based technical leadership team.

What We Look For

We require 12+ years of software engineering experience with proven technical leadership. You should have a successful track record in driving architecture for large-scale fintech systems, especially in regulated, international environments. Expertise in European payments, localization, cross-border trade, and KYC/AML compliance is essential. Strong communication and mentoring abilities are a must, along with experience in designing highly available, secure, and scalable distributed systems. JVM experience and familiarity with fintech systems are a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

Affirm offers a transparent, competitive pay structure. Base pay in the UK ranges from £186,000 to £236,000 per year and includes additional benefits such as monthly stipends for health, wellness, and tech spending, fully subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision benefits, generous time off, and an employee stock purchase plan.

Location & Work Arrangement

This role is Remote within the UK. While primarily remote, certain proximal roles may require occasional presence in an Affirm office.

Key skills/competency

  • Architecture
  • Compliance
  • Localization
  • Payments
  • Cross-border
  • KYC/AML
  • Technical leadership
  • Distributed systems
  • Mentoring
  • Fintech
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How to Get Hired at Affirm

🎯 Tips for Getting Hired

  • Research Affirm's culture: Review mission, values, and employee testimonials.
  • Customize your resume: Highlight fintech and compliance experience.
  • Prepare technical examples: Focus on distributed systems design.
  • Show leadership skills: Demonstrate mentoring and technical guidance.

📝 Interview Preparation Advice

Technical Preparation

Review European compliance standards.
Study scalable distributed system designs.
Refresh JVM and microservices skills.
Practice designing country-specific integrations.

Behavioral Questions

Describe effective team mentoring examples.
Explain handling technical conflicts.
Discuss decision-making under pressure.
Share leadership role experience.

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