Staff Software Engineer - Finance Engine
Role summary
PayJoy is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to lead their technical foundation, initially focusing on the Money - Finance Engine team. This hands-on role involves collaborating with teams, mentoring junior engineers, designing scalable systems, and making key technical decisions. The engineer will solve critical problems impacting growth, architect new solutions, and drive continuous improvement. The position requires 12+ years of experience in fast-paced, high-growth environments, proficiency in fullstack development (preferably PHP), relational and NoSQL databases, and a strong understanding of distributed systems and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure). Experience with mobile payment systems and large-scale systems is desirable.
About PayJoy
PayJoy is a mission-first credit provider dedicated to helping under-served customers in emerging markets to achieve financial stability and success. Our patented technology for secured credit provides an on-ramp for new customers to enter the credit system. Through PayJoy’s point-of-sale financing and card offerings, customers gain access to a modern quality of life. PayJoy’s credit also allows our customers to seize opportunities as micro-entrepreneurs, and acts as insurance for tough times. Through our cutting-edge machine learning, data science, and anti-fraud AI, we have served over 18 million customers as of 2025 while achieving solid profitability for sustainable growth.
This role
The Staff Engineer is responsible for leading our technical foundation, initially collaborating with the Money - Finance Engine teams to drive innovation, with the opportunity to work with other teams as well, taking on a mentoring role, designing scalable systems, and influencing cross-functional initiatives, in a hands-on position where they will make key technical decisions and build critical services.
Responsibilities
- Solve Critical Problems: Identify, prioritize, and solve technical challenges impacting growth.
- Lead and Collaborate: Architect new solutions, Implement newer patterns/framework that other candidates can use and implement, Identify potential systemwide solutions, guide teams, ensuring solutions meet business goals and technical standards.
- Mentor & Develop: Foster a culture of learning, guiding junior engineers.
- Innovate & Improve: Drive continuous improvement in our platform and processes.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline such as computer science, software engineering, or a related field.
- 12+ years of experience as Software Engineer, in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, working with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure.
- Strong expertise in fullstack development with proficiency in one or more programming languages such as PHP (strong preference), or similar; as well both relational and NoSQL databases.
- Solid understanding of distributed systems, system design principles.
- A can-do attitude and creative, flexible problem solving abilities, and the ability to think critically in ambiguous situations.
- Being a team player, that includes review, pair programming, collaboration in one task, mentoring or being mentored.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Desirable experience with mobile technologies or mobile payment systems with the fraud and identity aspects of fintech, as well in building and maintaining large-scale systems used by millions of users.
Benefits
- 100% Company-funded health insurance for employee and immediate family
- Company-funded employee life and disability insurance
- $2,000 USD annual Co-working Travel perk
- $2,000 USD annual Professional Development perk
- $340 Monthly Commuter benefit
- 401k Contribution of 3% of salary (up to IRS limits)
- Headphone benefit, home office equipment allowance and wellness perks
- Catered lunches
- 20 Paid vacation days, unlimited sick leave
$310,392 - $324,001 a year
Salary depending on years of experience.
PayJoy is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and we welcome and encourage people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
PayJoy Principles
Finance for the next billion \* Ownership \* Break Through Walls \* Live Communication \* Transparency & Directness \* Focus on Scale \* Work-Life Balance \* Embrace Diversity \* Speed \* Active Listening
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.