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Staff Engineer - job 4 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.

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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

Join American Express as a Staff Engineer and lead a vibrant tech team dedicated to creating innovative infrastructure solutions that directly enhance our customers' digital interactions. Located in the heart of New York City, this role is all about collaboration, creativity, and technical excellence. As a hands-on senior Infrastructure Developer, you will work closely with our GI Head Engineer, acting as 'Developer Zero' to build, test, and optimize our client-facing APIs and infrastructure products. Your experience will be invaluable in guiding both our engineers and clients, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience as we strive to deliver the highest quality service. Don't worry; you won't be alone! You’ll collaborate with talented colleagues who bring diverse perspectives to the table. At American Express, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development is a priority, so you'll have dedicated time for professional growth, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to contribute to open-source projects. With access to cutting-edge technologies like cloud-native applications, CI/CD tools, and advanced observability tools, you'll play a key role in shaping our infrastructure services for better scalability and performance. So, if you’re excited to engage in impactful strategic initiatives, mentor junior engineers, and drive architectural best practices, then American Express is the place for you! Here, we celebrate diversity, innovation, and creativity while ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to make their mark. Your journey in technology starts with #TeamAmex!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Staff Engineer Role at American Express
What are the responsibilities of a Staff Engineer at American Express?

As a Staff Engineer at American Express, your main responsibilities will include acting as 'Developer Zero', where you'll develop, test, and optimize our infrastructure products. You'll work directly with engineers to improve our APIs and help our clients consume GI product offerings effectively. Additionally, you'll engage in mentoring junior engineers, contribute to cloud-native application design, and partner with teams to enhance our CI/CD processes. Your role is crucial in ensuring high levels of product availability and delivering excellent service experiences for Amex customers.

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What qualifications are needed for the Staff Engineer position at American Express?

To qualify for the Staff Engineer position at American Express, candidates should possess at least 10 years of experience in technology strategy and large-scale program delivery. A strong background in infrastructure development, specifically in cloud-native applications using languages like Java or Go, is essential. Additionally, candidates should have a proven track record of implementing CI/CD pipelines, mentoring junior engineers, and possessing strong stakeholder management skills. A proficiency in infrastructure products including networking, storage, and observability tools is also crucial.

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What technologies does a Staff Engineer at American Express work with?

Staff Engineers at American Express will have the opportunity to work with a range of modern technologies. Key technologies include cloud services, VMware, Kubernetes, Docker containers, and programming languages like Java and Go. As part of your role, you may also engage with observability tools such as Prometheus and Grafana, as well as technologies like GraphQL, Kafka, and different database solutions like Postgres and Couchbase. This diverse tech stack will empower you to build scalable and resilient infrastructure.

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How does American Express support the professional growth of Staff Engineers?

American Express takes your professional development seriously. In the Staff Engineer role, you'll have dedicated time to focus on your skills and growth. This includes opportunities to participate in mentoring programs, engage in open-source projects, and access training programs that align with your career objectives. The company also encourages continual learning to keep your skills sharp, ensuring you remain at the forefront of technological advancements in the industry.

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What is the working environment like for a Staff Engineer at American Express?

The working environment for a Staff Engineer at American Express is one that emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation. You'll be part of a diverse technology team that values every voice and encourages creative problem-solving. The company promotes a flexible working model, allowing for hybrid arrangements that suit both personal and professional needs. You'll find a supportive culture here, where feedback is encouraged, and every team member is recognized for their contributions.

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Common Interview Questions for Staff Engineer
Can you describe your experience with cloud-native applications as a Staff Engineer?

When discussing your experience with cloud-native applications, give specific examples of projects where you contributed to their design and implementation. Highlight the technologies you used, such as Java or Go, and discuss how you ensured scalability and performance. It's also important to mention any challenges you faced and how you resolved them, showcasing your problem-solving skills and technical expertise.

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How do you approach mentoring junior engineers in your team?

When preparing to answer this question, focus on your mentorship philosophy and specific strategies you use to support junior engineers. Discuss the importance of building trust and fostering an inclusive environment for learning. Provide examples of how you've guided them through challenges and helped develop their skills, ensuring that you highlight the impact of your mentorship on their growth and success within the team.

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What strategies do you use to manage stakeholder relationships effectively?

Managing stakeholder relationships is key to success in a Staff Engineer role. Be ready to discuss your strategies for communication, including regular updates and seeking feedback. Emphasize the importance of understanding stakeholders' needs and aligning your engineering goals with those objectives. Providing real-life examples of successful stakeholder engagement will help illustrate your approach.

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How do you ensure high levels of product availability in your infrastructure design?

When answering this question, outline your approach to designing infrastructure for high availability. Discuss concepts like redundancy, load balancing, and monitoring. Mention specific tools or practices you've used to proactively address potential issues and maintain system reliability. Moreover, sharing examples of projects where you successfully achieved high availability will strengthen your response.

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Can you discuss a complex technical problem you solved and the impact it had?

This is a chance to showcase your technical skills and problem-solving capabilities. Choose a specific problem relevant to infrastructure development or cloud applications, explain the context and your thought process in deriving a solution. Highlight the steps you took and the outcome, including how it improved efficiency or enhanced user experience, demonstrating your ability to think critically and make impactful decisions.

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What is your experience with CI/CD pipelines?

For this question, provide a detailed description of your experience with building and optimizing CI/CD pipelines. Discuss the tools you've used, like GitHub Actions, and how you integrated them into the development lifecycle. Emphasize the benefits you've seen from CI/CD, such as faster deployment times and improved collaboration among the team, to demonstrate your understanding of DevOps principles.

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How do you handle feedback and criticism from peers and stakeholders?

Reflect on your ability to receive and act on feedback positively. Discuss specific instances where you've learned from constructive criticism and made meaningful changes as a result. Highlight your open-mindedness and willingness to grow, emphasizing how a collaborative environment thrives on effective feedback exchange within your team.

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Describe your experience working in a matrixed organization.

When discussing your experience in a matrixed organization, focus on your adaptability and collaboration across multiple teams. Highlight how you've navigated different priorities and communicated effectively with diverse stakeholders. Give examples of specific projects where cross-functional teamwork was critical to your success and how you achieved alignment among different departments.

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What best practices do you follow for software design and engineering?

Share your committed adherence to software development best practices such as code reviews, documentation, and testing. Discuss the importance of design patterns, modular architecture, and security considerations in your work. Providing real examples will showcase your commitment to quality and continuous improvement in your engineering practices.

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How do you stay current with emerging technologies and trends in engineering?

Express your proactive approach to staying informed about industry trends. Discuss your habits, such as attending conferences, participating in webinars, contributing to open-source projects, or following thought leaders on social media. Highlight any certifications or training you've pursued to ensure your skills and knowledge remain relevant in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

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

671 jobs
MATCH
VIEW MATCH
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 2, 2025

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