Staff Software Engineer, Tech Platform
Staff Software Engineer · Staff · Full Time
Opens Airwallex's application page
Role
What you'll do.
Airwallex is seeking a Staff Software Engineer for their Tech Platform team in Singapore, focusing on building scalable infrastructure that powers global fintech operations. The role involves developing API gateways, managing global traffic routing, and optimizing high-performance systems that serve over 200,000 businesses worldwide. Candidates need strong backend expertise in Java, Go, or Python, along with deep experience in cloud infrastructure, distributed systems, and API lifecycle management.
Responsibilities
- Infrastructure Development: Build and refine cutting-edge application infrastructure that eliminates technical bottlenecks and reduces maintenance overhead for developers
- API Gateway Management: Optimize global traffic through north-south and east-west API Gateways for seamless external and internal interactions
- Global Routing Infrastructure: Build robust global routing infrastructure that balances regulatory compliance with unified, high-performance user experience across regions
- Search Platform Enhancement: Power intelligent search platform for fast, accurate information retrieval across business operations
- Notification Orchestration: Enable efficient delivery of SMS, Email, Webhooks, and Push notifications at global scale
- Workflow Automation: Drive seamless workflow creation, scheduling, and execution using advanced orchestration tools
- Complex Problem Solving: Tackle intricate, organization-wide problems using latest technologies including reactive programming and distributed systems
- Strategic Technology Evaluation: Conduct comprehensive evaluations of emerging solutions and guide company's long-term architectural decisions
- Performance Optimization: Ensure scalability, efficiency, and global resilience of mission-critical systems serving 200,000+ businesses
Qualifications
What we look for.
Technical
Backend Programming
Strong proficiency in Java, Go, Rust, Lua, or Python and their corresponding frameworks
Cloud Infrastructure
Familiarity with AWS, GCP, Aliyun and infrastructure management tools like Kubernetes, Docker, Istio
Database Systems
Proven hands-on experience with PostgreSQL, Redis, Elasticsearch, and logical replication
Traffic Management
Strong familiarity with NGINX, OpenResty, Envoy, APISIX, Kong, and Istio for high-scale distributed systems
API Lifecycle Management
Strong experience in API design, security, authentication, authorization, and threat mitigation
Distributed Systems
Deep understanding of performance optimization, scalability, and data consistency in distributed environments
Education
Computer Science Degree
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field
Experience
Senior Engineering Experience
5+ years of experience in backend engineering with focus on infrastructure and platform development
Fintech or High-Scale Systems
Experience building systems that handle high transaction volumes and regulatory compliance requirements
Leadership and Mentoring
Staff-level experience including technical leadership and mentoring junior engineers
Skills
Required
Backend Programming Languages
Strong proficiency in Java, Go, Rust, Lua, or Python with corresponding frameworks
Cloud Infrastructure
Experience with AWS, GCP, Aliyun, Kubernetes, Docker, and Istio
Database Management
PostgreSQL, Redis, Elasticsearch with logical replication and performance optimization
Traffic Management Systems
NGINX, OpenResty, Envoy, APISIX, Kong for load balancing and API gateway management
API Security
API lifecycle management, authentication, authorization, and threat mitigation
Distributed Systems
Understanding of scalability, data consistency, and performance optimization
Preferred
Performance Tuning
Nice to haveAPI Gateway optimization with CPU flame graphs and advanced profiling techniques
Service Mesh Expertise
Nice to haveIstio traffic management, routing, and resilience strategies in Kubernetes environments
Advanced API Security
Nice to haveDDoS mitigation, SQL injection prevention, mTLS, and Data Loss Prevention
Open Source Innovation
Nice to haveStaying current with open-source community and evaluating cutting-edge technologies
Tech stack
Languages
Frameworks
Databases
Tools
Other
Compensation
Pay and benefits.
Benefits
Global Fintech Impact
Work on systems serving over 200,000 businesses worldwide including major brands like Brex, Rippling, Navan, and SHEIN
Cutting-Edge Technology
Access to latest technologies including reactive programming, Temporal, vector databases, and advanced gateway solutions
Professional Growth
Accelerated learning opportunities with exceptional teammates and career growth as company scales globally
Innovation Culture
Founder-like energy environment with real impact, true ownership, and end-to-end product development
Global Presence
Work with team of 2,000+ innovative professionals across 26 offices worldwide
Equal Opportunity
Inclusive workplace that values diversity and provides equal opportunities regardless of background
Process
Interview steps.
- 01
Initial Screening
Phone or video call to discuss background, experience, and interest in the role
- 02
Technical Assessment
Coding challenge focusing on backend systems, API design, and distributed systems concepts
- 03
System Design Interview
Design large-scale infrastructure systems similar to Airwallex's platform requirements
- 04
Technical Deep Dive
In-depth discussion of past projects, architecture decisions, and problem-solving approach
- 05
Cultural Fit Interview
Assessment of alignment with Airwallex's operating principles and team collaboration
- 06
Final Round
Meet with senior leadership to discuss vision, impact, and long-term career goals
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.
Who We Are? About the Team:
Airwallex is a pioneering fintech company breaking down financial barriers and enabling seamless global business. At its core, the Tech Platform Team drives the foundation of our technological excellence, building scalable, high-performance systems that power innovation worldwide.
Optimizing Global Traffic – Managing north-south and east-west API Gateways for seamless external and internal interactions.
Ensuring Fast, Reliable Connectivity – Building a robust global routing infrastructure that seamlessly balances regulatory compliance with a unified, high-performance user experience across regions.
Enhancing Search – Powering an intelligent search platform for fast, accurate information retrieval.
Orchestrating Notifications – Enabling efficient delivery of SMS, Email, Webhooks, and Push notifications.
Automating Workflows – Driving seamless workflow creation, scheduling, and execution.
In this role, you will:
Be part of an elite team shaping cutting-edge infrastructure and redefining global fintech. If you thrive on solving complex challenges and building the future of technology, this is where you belong.
As a member of our team, you'll have the opportunity to:
Build Impactful Infrastructure – Develop and refine a cutting-edge application infrastructure that eliminates common technical bottlenecks, reduces maintenance overhead for developers, and accelerates business innovation.
Solve Complex, High - Scale Challenges – Tackle intricate, organization-wide problems by leveraging the latest technologies, including reactive programming, Temporal, vector databases, distributed systems, and advanced gateway solutions.
Drive Strategic Technological Excellence – Conduct comprehensive evaluations of emerging solutions and guide the company’s long-term architectural decisions to ensure scalability, efficiency, and global resilience.
At Tech Platform, you'll work on mission-critical systems, collaborate with top engineering talent, and leave a lasting impact on Airwallex’s global growth. If you're passionate about building transformative technology at scale, this is the team for you!
You might be a great fit if you:
Strong proficiency in backend programming languages such as Java, Go, Rust, Lua, or Python and their corresponding frameworks;
Infrastructure & Cloud Expertise: Familiarity with cloud services (AWS, GCP, Aliyun) and infrastructure management tools (Kubernetes, Docker, Istio)
Database & Storage Systems Expertise: Proven hands-on experience with PostgreSQL, Redis, Elasticsearch, and logical replication, with a deep understanding of performance optimization, scalability, and data consistency in distributed systems.
Traffic Management Expertise: Strong familiarity with NGINX, OpenResty, Envoy, APISIX, Kong, and Istio, with a solid understanding of traffic routing, load balancing, and API gateway management in high-scale distributed systems.
API Lifecycle & Security Expertise: Strong experience and deep understanding of API lifecycle management, from design to deprecation, along with expertise in API security best practices, including authentication, authorization, and threat mitigation.
Bonus if you have:
Performance Tuning Expertise: Hands-on experience optimizing API Gateway performance, including advanced profiling techniques such as CPU flame graphs to diagnose and enhance system efficiency.
Service Mesh Expertise: Hands-on experience managing traffic between Kubernetes pods using Istio, including traffic routing, load balancing, and resilience strategies within a service mesh architecture.
API Security Expertise: Hands-on experience in securing APIs, including mitigating threats such as DDoS attacks, SQL injection, and implementing mTLS (mutual TLS) and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to ensure robust protection and compliance.
Open Source & Innovation Expertise: Stay up to date with the latest advancements in the open-source community, with the ability to evaluate, adopt, and introduce cutting-edge technologies to enhance Airwallex’s technology stack.
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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