Let’s get started
By clicking ‘Next’, I agree to the Terms of Service
and Privacy Policy
Jobs / Job page
Staff Engineer image - Rise Careers
Job details

Staff Engineer - job 1 of 4

You Lead the Way. We’ve Got Your Back.

With the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. When you join Team Amex, you become part of a global and diverse community of colleagues with an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities and each other. Here, you’ll learn and grow as we help you create a career journey that’s unique and meaningful to you with benefits, programs, and flexibility that support you personally and professionally.

At American Express, you’ll be recognized for your contributions, leadership, and impact—every colleague has the opportunity to share in the company’s success. Together, we’ll win as a team, striving to uphold our company values and powerful backing promise to provide the world’s best customer experience every day. And we’ll do it with the utmost integrity, and in an environment where everyone is seen, heard and feels like they belong.

Join Team Amex and let's lead the way together.

As part of our diverse tech team, you can architect, code and ship software that makes us an essential part of our customers’ digital lives.  Here, you can work alongside talented engineers in an open, supportive, inclusive environment where your voice is valued, and you make your own decisions on what tech to use to solve challenging problems.  American Express offers a range of opportunities to work with the latest technologies and encourages you to back the broader engineering community through open source.  And because we understand the importance of keeping your skills fresh and relevant, we give you dedicated time to invest in your professional development.  Find your place in technology on #TeamAmex.

Global Infrastructure 

The Global Infrastructure (GI) organization is a large, globally dispersed and diverse team. Its mission is dedicated to delighting our customers through an intuitive and modern self-service infrastructure that allows for secure, stable and scalable platforms with appropriate efficiency and innovation. GI is looking to help raise its bar for technical excellence and so this role will be dedicated to ensuring consistency and enterprise-wide collaboration on how we build and modernize technology, focused within the Infrastructure tower. This role will seek to cultivate and foster technical innovation, strategy, as part of the ability to deliver great experiences to all American Express colleagues.

Description

In this role, you will report to our GI Head Engineer to act as “Developer Zero” – a hands-on senior Infrastructure Developer who consumes our client facing APIs, builds and manipulates infrastructure and deploys test applications on top of that infrastructure - just as our AppDev partners do. The role will in one direction provide direct feedback to the GI Engineers on areas for optimization and improvement on behalf of our clients, and in the other direction, provide guidance to our clients on how best to consume our GI product offerings. 

As “Developer Zero, you will be essential in helping to uplift our enterprise-wide infrastructure services to ensure high levels of product availability for the customers and partners of American Express. This role is critical in delivery of functions to service the full stack of Amex enterprise solutions. 

Some of the problems we'll work on include: 

  • Testing new GI software components and APIs. Partnering with the GI Engineers to improve and optimize the developer experience for Amex applications running on our infrastructure. 
  • Building and operating synthetic applications that can be used to stress test our infrastructure from multiple dimensions (resiliency, security, performance etc.) 
  • Partnering with our Engineering teams to integrate Infrastructure services and platforms with our CI/CD platforms – improving our internal SDLC process, automated test cases and delivering fast time to value. 
  • Working to ensure reliability of compute and data partitioned across geographically distributed data centers – both in and out of the public cloud. 
  • Directly contribute to the design and coding of our software systems, serving as a role model for how great software is built at Amex. 
  • Helping to design and construct systems that are secure, reliable, scalable, and extensible 
  • Help drive sound technical decisions utilizing the advice of teammates, and contribute to technical conversations with other engineering teams 
  • Mentor junior team members across the organization and assist with projects that develop their skills

In this role you will: 

  • Work closely with the GI Head Engineer, EVP of Global Infrastructure and other senior engineers across the organization to find opportunities to improve engineering quality across American Express – both from an infrastructure perspective and from an AppDev perspective. 
  • Contribute to the Foundational Technology pillar of the Tech Strategy. 
  • Drive architectural design and engineering best practices throughout the GI organization.  
  • Instill accountability across GI for building solutions in alignment with Technology policies, standards, and development best practices.

Minimum Qualifications 

  • At least 10 years-experience with Technology strategy and large-scale program delivery. 
  • Strong and diverse technical background – ideally an Infrastructure Developer.  
  • You have contributed to the design and build of cloud-native applications written in Java or Go 
  • You have done “DevOps” work, such as building CI/CD pipelines or setting up cloud hosting environments 
  • Extensive experience in infrastructure products. This may include network, compute, storage, database, midrange, mainframe, observability with a strong focus and practical experience in using both public & private cloud. 
  • You have experience mentoring more junior engineers, helping them to succeed and grow in their roles 
  • You build effective work relationships, giving and receiving constructive feedback, and your colleagues at all levels and across all teams trust you 
  • You can break down platform silos, evaluate from all perspectives, and put enterprise thinking first. 
  • Experience implementing SDLC in a controlled or regulated environment 
  • Strong influencing and negotiation skills 
  • Exceptional stakeholder management skills, including at the senior-level  
  • Excellent written, interpersonal and presentation communications. 
  • Experience working in a matrixed organization and influencing people at all levels. 
  • Demonstrated leadership and management experience in working with cross-functional, geographically dispersed teams on complex projects. 
  • Brings support and positive attributes to a culture that is respectful, supportive, goal oriented, and diverse.  

Technologies we use at Amex include: 

  • Infrastructure components are based around VMware, IP networks and SDN, SAN and NAS fabrics and OpenShift. Experience using public cloud services is crucial. 
  • Go and Java are our primary server languages – familiarity in at least one language will be beneficial 
  • Code lives in GitHub Enterprise and flows to production through a CI/CD pipeline built on GitHub Actions 
  • Code runs in Kubernetes-managed Docker containers hosted in a mix of private and public clouds 
  • Other key tech includes GraphQL, gRPC, Kafka, Postgres, Couchbase, Cassandra, Elasticsearch, Redis, OpenTracing, Jaeger, Prometheus, and Grafana

Salary Range: $170,000.00 to $255,000.00 annually + bonus + equity (if applicable) + benefits

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.

We back our colleagues and their loved ones with benefits and programs that support their holistic well-being. That means we prioritize their physical, financial, and mental health through each stage of life. Benefits include:

  • Competitive base salaries 
  • Bonus incentives 
  • 6% Company Match on retirement savings plan 
  • Free financial coaching and financial well-being support 
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits 
  • Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need 
  • 20+ weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy 
  • Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location) 
  • Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program 
  • Career development and training opportunities

For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site.

American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. American Express will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For positions covered by federal and/or state banking regulations, American Express will comply with such regulations as it relates to the consideration of applicants with criminal convictions.

We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That's why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually.

US Job Seekers/Employees - Click here to view the “Know Your Rights” poster and the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.

If the links do not work, please copy and paste the following URLs in a new browser window: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters to access the three posters.

Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.

American Express Glassdoor Company Review
4.2 Glassdoor star iconGlassdoor star iconGlassdoor star iconGlassdoor star icon Glassdoor star icon
American Express DE&I Review
4.4 Glassdoor star iconGlassdoor star iconGlassdoor star iconGlassdoor star icon Glassdoor star icon
CEO of American Express
American Express CEO photo
Stephen J Squeri
Approve of CEO

Average salary estimate

$212500 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$170000K
$255000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Staff Engineer, American Express

At American Express, we are excited to announce an incredible opportunity for you to join us as a Staff Engineer in New York, New York. You'll be stepping into a pivotal role where innovation meets collaboration, and your expertise will drive the development of essential software solutions that enhance our customers' digital experiences. Here, we’re not only about achieving goals; it’s about fostering a culture of support, diversity, and continuous learning. As a Staff Engineer, you’ll work closely with teams across the organization to architect, code, and deploy infrastructure that meets modern demands. Your role will include building and testing applications, optimizing infrastructure, and mentoring junior engineers—helping to elevate the entire engineering community. We value the input of our colleagues and encourage a creative environment where everyone is empowered to contribute ideas openly. With the backing of a company that prioritizes well-being and career growth, you'll have dedicated time for professional development and be a key player in implementing cutting-edge technology solutions. Imagine working with cloud-native applications and collaborating on CI/CD processes, all while steering our engineering practices towards excellence. Join us on Team Amex where you can truly make a difference while building a fulfilling career path that's uniquely your own.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Staff Engineer Role at American Express
What responsibilities does a Staff Engineer at American Express have?

The Staff Engineer at American Express is integral to fostering technical excellence within the Global Infrastructure team. Key responsibilities include developing and testing infrastructure solutions, optimizing APIs, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating closely with AppDev teams. You will actively contribute to enhancing product experience and reliability, ensuring that all infrastructure services function seamlessly to meet enterprise needs.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What qualifications are needed for the Staff Engineer role at American Express?

To excel as a Staff Engineer at American Express, candidates should possess a strong technical background, ideally as an Infrastructure Developer, with at least 10 years of experience. A deep understanding of cloud-native applications, DevOps practices, and infrastructure products is crucial. Furthermore, exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills will aid in influencing and negotiating technical strategies across a matrixed organization.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How does American Express support continuous learning for Staff Engineers?

American Express recognizes the importance of skill enhancement, offering dedicated time for professional development to its engineers. With opportunities to participate in mentorship programs and access to cutting-edge technologies, Staff Engineers can continuously learn and grow. The company's supportive environment encourages engineers to engage with the broader engineering community through open-source contributions.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What technologies will a Staff Engineer at American Express be working with?

As a Staff Engineer at American Express, you'll work with a variety of technologies, primarily focusing on cloud environments and languages like Java and Go. Our infrastructure leverages tools such as Kubernetes, Docker, GraphQL, and Kafka, enabling Staff Engineers to design scalable, secure, and high-performing applications. Familiarity with GitHub for CI/CD pipelines is also essential.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What benefits does American Express provide for its Staff Engineers?

Staff Engineers at American Express can expect a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes holistic well-being. This includes competitive salaries, bonus incentives, extensive healthcare options, 20+ weeks of parental leave, and a flexible work model. The company is committed to supporting both professional growth and a healthy work-life balance.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Common Interview Questions for Staff Engineer
Can you describe a project where you implemented a cloud-native application?

When answering this question, focus on your specific role in the project, the technologies you used, and the challenges you faced. Highlight your problem-solving skills, collaboration with team members, and how you ensured the application met performance and security standards to provide value to users.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How do you approach optimizing CI/CD processes?

Discuss your experience with various CI/CD tools and methodologies. Be sure to emphasize specific strategies you’ve employed to streamline development workflows, reduce deployment failing rates, and enhance communication between teams. Share metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the improvements you achieved.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What methods do you use to mentor junior engineers?

Illustrate your mentoring approach by detailing how you identify areas for growth in junior engineers. Talk about how you provide constructive feedback and your methods for creating learning opportunities—like pairing on projects or conducting code reviews—to help them develop their skills effectively.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Describe your experience with infrastructure resiliency testing.

Here, share specific examples of how you have tested infrastructure for resiliency. Discuss the tools and frameworks used, types of tests performed (like chaos engineering), and how these efforts contributed to a more reliable service for users. Highlight your analytical skills in interpreting test results.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How do you ensure secure coding practices in your applications?

With this question, emphasize your knowledge of security best practices in application development. Discuss how you integrate security audits into your development lifecycle, educate your team about potential vulnerabilities, and utilize tools to automate the detection of security issues during the coding process.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What challenges have you encountered while working with distributed systems?

Respond by articulating both technical and team-related challenges you've faced in distributed systems and how you've addressed them. Whether it’s latency issues or data consistency challenges, explain your systematic approach to identifying and implementing solutions.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How do you stay up-to-date with evolving infrastructure technologies?

Speak about your strategies for continuous learning, such as reading industry publications, attending conferences, or participating in online communities. Mention any certifications you’ve pursued and how you apply new knowledge to your work to keep your skills relevant.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Explain how you manage stakeholder expectations during a project.

Sketch your methodology for managing communications and expectations with stakeholders. Discuss your approach to setting clear deliverables, regular updates, and how you address any changes or challenges that arise during the project lifecycle to maintain trust and engagement.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What role do you see yourself playing on the tech team at American Express?

In your response, align your skills and experience with the company’s goals. Illustrate how you can contribute to innovation and collaboration, emphasizing your commitment to fostering an inclusive team culture while making a tangible impact on engineering quality for American Express.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How have you contributed to enhancing team collaboration in previous roles?

Share specific actions you've taken to facilitate collaboration, such as introducing new tools for communication or leading team-building exercises. Highlight how these efforts have led to improved productivity and morale within the team.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Similar Jobs
Photo of the Rise User
American Express Remote Sunrise, Florida, United States
Posted 11 days ago
Inclusive & Diverse
Empathetic
Collaboration over Competition
Growth & Learning
Transparent & Candid
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Mental Health Resources
Life insurance
Disability Insurance
Child Care stipend
Employee Resource Groups
Learning & Development
Photo of the Rise User
Posted 11 days ago
Inclusive & Diverse
Empathetic
Collaboration over Competition
Growth & Learning
Transparent & Candid
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Mental Health Resources
Life insurance
Disability Insurance
Child Care stipend
Employee Resource Groups
Learning & Development
Photo of the Rise User
Posted 13 days ago
Customer-Centric
Mission Driven
Collaboration over Competition
Growth & Learning
Photo of the Rise User
EDF UK Remote Bristol, UK
Posted 2 days ago

As an Engineering Lead, immerse yourself in one of the UK's most ambitious nuclear projects while collaborating with diverse teams to overcome complex engineering challenges.

Photo of the Rise User
Posted 2 days ago

Take the lead in advancing optical solutions at Halo Industries, Inc. as an Optical Engineering Manager.

Photo of the Rise User
Anduril Industries Hybrid Costa Mesa, California, United States
Posted 2 days ago

Anduril Industries is on the lookout for a Senior Supplier Sourcing Engineer to drive supply network development and cost management in a transformative defense technology setting.

Photo of the Rise User

Looking for a Director of Site Reliability Engineering to lead our SRE team in ensuring system reliability and performance.

Pallon is on the lookout for a skilled Infrastructure Engineer to enhance their AI-driven urban solutions using advanced GPU technology.

Photo of the Rise User
ServiceNow Remote America Free Zone North Plaza Real Cariari, C. Domingueños 600 America Free Zone, Heredia, Costa Rica
Posted 8 days ago
Inclusive & Diverse
Mission Driven
Rise from Within
Diversity of Opinions
Work/Life Harmony
Empathetic
Feedback Forward
Take Risks
Collaboration over Competition
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Mental Health Resources
Life insurance
Disability Insurance
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Conferences Stipend
Paid Time-Off
Maternity Leave
Equity

Join ServiceNow as a Senior Technical SRE Manager, leading a team to enhance system reliability using AI-driven solutions.

Photo of the Rise User
Posted 11 days ago

American Express is a multinational financial services corporation and global leader in providing personal, small business, and corporate credit cards.

762 jobs
MATCH
Calculating your matching score...
BADGES
Badge Family FriendlyBadge Office VibesBadge Work&Life BalanceBadge Rapid Growth
CULTURE VALUES
Inclusive & Diverse
Empathetic
Collaboration over Competition
Growth & Learning
Transparent & Candid
BENEFITS & PERKS
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Mental Health Resources
Life insurance
Disability Insurance
Child Care stipend
Employee Resource Groups
Learning & Development
FUNDING
DEPARTMENTS
SENIORITY LEVEL REQUIREMENT
TEAM SIZE
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full-time, hybrid
DATE POSTED
April 4, 2025

Subscribe to Rise newsletter

Risa star 🔮 Hi, I'm Risa! Your AI
Career Copilot
Want to see a list of jobs tailored to
you, just ask me below!