Senior Software Engineer, Backend - Onboarding

Backend Engineer · Senior · Full Time

SG - Singapore13mo ago
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Role

What you'll do.

Airwallex is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to join their Onboarding team in Singapore, focusing on building scalable microservices for KYC, compliance, and user onboarding systems. The role requires expertise in Java/Kotlin, distributed systems architecture, and financial services compliance while working on high-traffic platforms serving 200,000+ global businesses.

Responsibilities

  • Microservices Architecture: Design, develop, and maintain scalable Java/Kotlin microservices for high-traffic, high-availability onboarding systems
  • Data Pipeline Development: Build robust data pipelines and analytics platforms in collaboration with data scientists and product managers
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with Frontend, Product, Design, and Marketing teams to translate business requirements into backend solutions
  • A/B Testing Infrastructure: Develop backend services supporting rapid experimentation, feature toggles, and real-time performance monitoring
  • Security & Compliance: Implement secure coding practices, authentication mechanisms, and maintain global regulatory compliance for financial data
  • KYC System Development: Build and optimize Know Your Customer processes and risk-based operations for business onboarding
  • Code Quality Assurance: Participate in architectural reviews, code reviews, and strategy sessions to maintain high engineering standards
  • Performance Optimization: Continuously improve backend functionalities to reduce friction, increase user engagement, and drive conversions

Qualifications

What we look for.

Technical

  • Java/Kotlin Expertise

    Strong proficiency in Java or Kotlin for enterprise-level backend development

  • Microservices Architecture

    Experience designing and implementing distributed systems and microservices patterns

  • Database Design

    Expertise in relational and NoSQL database design, optimization, and data modeling

  • API Development

    RESTful API design principles and GraphQL implementation experience

  • Cloud Platforms

    Hands-on experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP for scalable infrastructure

  • Financial Services

    Understanding of fintech, payments, compliance requirements, and financial data handling

Education

  • Computer Science Degree

    Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent practical experience

  • Continuous Learning

    Demonstrated commitment to staying current with emerging technologies and industry best practices

Experience

  • Senior-level Development

    5+ years of backend engineering experience with high-traffic, mission-critical systems

  • Fintech or Payments

    Experience in financial technology, payments processing, or regulatory compliance environments

  • Team Leadership

    Experience mentoring junior developers and leading technical initiatives

  • Agile Development

    Track record of working in fast-paced, agile development environments

Skills

Required

  • Java/Kotlin Programming

    Advanced proficiency in Java or Kotlin for backend development

  • Microservices Design

    Architecture and implementation of scalable distributed systems

  • Database Management

    SQL and NoSQL database design, optimization, and administration

  • API Development

    RESTful services, GraphQL, and service-to-service communication

  • Cloud Infrastructure

    AWS, containerization, and cloud-native development practices

  • Security Best Practices

    Secure coding, authentication, authorization, and compliance frameworks

Preferred

  • Kafka/Event Streaming

    Nice to have

    Experience with Apache Kafka and event-driven architectures

  • DevOps Practices

    Nice to have

    CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code, and automated testing

  • Financial Regulations

    Nice to have

    Knowledge of KYC, AML, PCI DSS, and other financial compliance requirements

  • Data Analytics

    Nice to have

    Experience with data pipelines, analytics platforms, and business intelligence

  • Performance Engineering

    Nice to have

    System optimization, load testing, and scalability planning

  • Kubernetes

    Nice to have

    Container orchestration and cloud-native deployment strategies

Tech stack

Languages

JavaKotlinSQL

Frameworks

Spring BootApache KafkagRPC

Databases

PostgreSQLRedisApache Cassandra

Tools

DockerKubernetesJenkinsGrafanaAWS

Other

Event-driven ArchitectureA/B Testing FrameworksAPI Gateway

Compensation

Pay and benefits.

Benefits

  • Professional Development

    Opportunities for continuous learning and career growth in a fast-paced fintech environment

  • Global Team

    Work with 2,000+ talented professionals across 26 offices worldwide

  • Innovation Focus

    Access to cutting-edge financial technology and opportunity to shape the future of global banking

  • Mentorship Opportunities

    Coach and mentor team members while learning from industry experts

  • Equity Participation

    Potential equity participation in a US$8 billion valued company

  • Diverse Environment

    Equal opportunity workplace with commitment to diversity and inclusion

Process

Interview steps.

  1. 01

    Initial Screening

    Phone or video screening with talent acquisition to discuss background and role alignment

  2. 02

    Technical Assessment

    Coding challenge focusing on Java/Kotlin, system design, and backend engineering principles

  3. 03

    System Design Interview

    Architecture discussion covering microservices, scalability, and fintech system requirements

  4. 04

    Behavioral Interview

    Culture fit assessment focusing on collaboration, ownership, and growth mindset

  5. 05

    Final Round

    Panel interview with senior engineers and team leads covering technical depth and team dynamics

  6. 06

    Reference Check

    Professional reference verification and offer discussion

Full posting

Original listing.

About Airwallex

Airwallex is the only unified payments and financial platform for global businesses. Powered by our unique combination of proprietary infrastructure and software, we empower over 200,000 businesses worldwide – including Brex, Rippling, Navan, Qantas, SHEIN and many more – with fully integrated solutions to manage everything from business accounts, payments, spend management and treasury, to embedded finance at a global scale.

Proudly founded in Melbourne, we have a team of over 2,000 of the brightest and most innovative people in tech across 26 offices around the globe. Valued at US$8 billion and backed by world-leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Visa, Mastercard, Robinhood Ventures, Sequoia, Salesforce Ventures, DST Global, and Lone Pine Capital, Airwallex is leading the charge in building the global payments and financial platform of the future. If you’re ready to do the most ambitious work of your career, join us.

Attributes We Value

We hire successful builders with founder-like energy who want real impact, accelerated learning, and true ownership. You bring strong role-related expertise and sharp thinking, and you’re motivated by our mission and operating principles. You move fast with good judgment, dig deep with curiosity, and make decisions from first principles, balancing speed and rigor.

You're humble and collaborative; turn zero‑to‑one ideas into real products, and you “get stuff done” end-to-end. You use AI to work smarter and solve problems faster. Here, you’ll tackle complex, high‑visibility problems with exceptional teammates and grow your career as we build the future of global banking. If that sounds like you, let’s build what’s next.

The Opportunity: Be Part of Our Onboarding Team

Onboarding team plays a pivotal role in Airwallex's mission by facilitating the rapid integration of businesses into our platform. As a data-driven team, we utilize extensive analytics to refine our processes and ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations. Our primary mission involves performing Know Your Customer (KYC) and risk-based operations to maintain the highest standards of compliance and security as we handle sensitive financial data, and empower business customers through robust, secure, and intuitive user and account management solutions.

This team is instrumental in our regional expansion, helping to onboard a growing number of customers into new markets. By supporting global expansion, we are also tasked with increasing the coverage of our product offerings, ensuring that businesses worldwide can benefit from our innovative financial solutions. Through our efforts, we aim to streamline the onboarding process, reduce barriers to entry, and foster a secure and compliant environment that empowers businesses to thrive in the digital economy.

What You’ll Do

  • Design and Build Scalable Systems

    • Architect, develop, and maintain microservices in Java/Kotlin (or similar languages), ensuring our high-traffic, high-availability systems meet global user demands.

    • Implement best practices for service-to-service communication, orchestration, and fault tolerance.

  • Enable Data-Driven Decisions

    • Collaborate with data scientists and product managers to design data pipelines, analytics platforms, and event-driven architectures.

    • Ensure the data powering our Growth initiatives is accurate, reliable, and easily accessible.

  • Collaborate and Innovate

    • Work closely with cross-functional teams—Frontend, Product, Design, and Marketing—to translate business requirements into scalable backend solutions.

    • Participate in architectural reviews, code reviews, and strategy sessions to continually elevate the quality and performance of our backend services.

  • Experiment and Iterate

    • Develop services that support rapid A/B testing, feature toggles, and real-time performance monitoring.

    • Continuously improve backend functionalities to reduce friction, increase user engagement, and drive conversions.

  • Promote Security & Compliance

    • Integrate secure coding practices and frameworks to protect user data and maintain global regulatory compliance.

    • Identify potential vulnerabilities, ensure robust authentication and authorization mechanisms, and proactively address security risks.

Who You Are

  • Experienced and Technically Proficient: You possess a wealth of experience in software development, underpinned by a robust expertise in Java/Kotlin. Your approach goes beyond mere coding; you are a craftsman of comprehensive solutions. As a technical bar raiser, you set high standards and lead by example, elevating the capabilities of those around you.

  • Empathetic and Insightful: Your deep empathy for customer needs drives your development process, allowing you to create intuitive and impactful products. This understanding is not just about meeting requirements, but about enriching user experiences.

  • Data-Driven and Analytical: You view data as a narrative element of development, a critical tool that informs your decision-making process. Your ability to interpret data enhances product performance and elevates user satisfaction, making you a pivotal member of our team.

  • Collaborative and Knowledge-Sharing: True collaboration is second nature to you. You thrive in team settings and are committed to sharing knowledge and ideas, which you see as vital to fostering innovation. Your role as a coach involves mentoring peers and promoting a learning culture within the team.

  • Adaptable and Continuously Learning: In the fast-paced world of fintech, you stand out for your agility and eagerness to adopt new skills and technologies. Challenges are opportunities for growth, and you are always prepared to expand your horizons.

  • Proactive and Ownership-Driven: You are self-motivated and take initiative, demonstrating a strong sense of ownership in your projects. Your proactive approach ensures that you are always ahead of the curve, ready to take on responsibilities and lead projects to successful outcomes.

  • Efficient and Prioritization-Savvy: You excel at prioritizing tasks, which enables you to manage your workload effectively while maintaining high standards of quality. This skill ensures that critical project components receive the attention they need without sacrificing overall progress.

Why Join Us

  • Be Part of Something Big: Join a team that's redefining the future of finance. Contribute directly to the core engine of user growth in a company that is reshaping global financial services.

  • Grow With Us: At Airwallex, we're committed to your professional development. You'll have opportunities to learn, grow, and shape your career path in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

  • Collaborate With the Best: Work with a team of talented and passionate individuals who are driven by the desire to create something extraordinary.

Applicant Safety Policy: Fraud and Third-Party Recruiters

To protect you from recruitment scams, please be aware that Airwallex will not ask for bank details, sensitive ID numbers (i.e. passport), or any form of payment during the application or interview process. All official communication will come from an @airwallex.com email address. Please apply only through careers.airwallex.com or our official LinkedIn page.

Airwallex does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms/recruiters. Airwallex will not pay any fees to search firms/recruiters if a candidate is submitted by a search firm/recruiter unless an agreement has been entered into with respect to specific open position(s). Search firms/recruiters submitting resumes to Airwallex on an unsolicited basis shall be deemed to accept this condition, regardless of any other provision to the contrary.

Equal opportunity

Airwallex is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and anyone seeking employment at Airwallex is considered based on merit, qualifications, competence and talent. We don’t regard color, religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, citizenship, sex, marital or family status, disability, gender, or any other legally protected status when making our hiring decisions. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

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