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Staff Software Engineer, Back End (Java)

The Company

PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. 

We operate a global, two-sided network at scale that connects hundreds of millions of merchants and consumers. We help merchants and consumers connect, transact, and complete payments, whether they are online or in person. PayPal is more than a connection to third-party payment networks. We provide proprietary payment solutions accepted by merchants that enable the completion of payments on our platform on behalf of our customers.

We offer our customers the flexibility to use their accounts to purchase and receive payments for goods and services, as well as the ability to transfer and withdraw funds. We enable consumers to exchange funds more safely with merchants using a variety of funding sources, which may include a bank account, a PayPal or Venmo account balance, PayPal and Venmo branded credit products, a credit card, a debit card, certain cryptocurrencies, or other stored value products such as gift cards, and eligible credit card rewards.  Our PayPal, Venmo, and Xoom products also make it safer and simpler for friends and family to transfer funds to each other. We offer merchants an end-to-end payments solution that provides authorization and settlement capabilities, as well as instant access to funds and payouts. We also help merchants connect with their customers, process exchanges and returns, and manage risk. We enable consumers to engage in cross-border shopping and merchants to extend their global reach while reducing the complexity and friction involved in enabling cross-border trade. 

Our beliefs are the foundation for how we conduct business every day.  We live each day guided by our core values of Inclusion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Wellness. Together, our values ensure that we work together as one global team with our customers at the center of everything we do – and they push us to ensure we take care of ourselves, each other, and our communities.

Job Description Summary:

Meet Your Team

PayPal is transforming global commerce. Our Engineering team is the heart of this transformation. We’re building innovative solutions that delight customers and drive business growth. Join our dynamic engineering team at PayPal, where you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented peers and work on high-impact projects in an agile environment. We're not just building systems; we're creating scalable, high-performance solutions that make a real difference in global commerce. We prioritize code quality, customer focus, and rapid iteration. Our engineers work closely with design, product, and QA teams to deliver world-class experiences.

Job Description:

Your way to impact

At PayPal, Staff Software Engineers are the architects of our global payment platform. You'll design, develop, and optimize core systems that power millions of transactions daily, directly impacting our customers' experiences and our company's success.

Your day-to-day

As a Staff Software Engineer – Backend (Java) you will architect and lead the development of complex backend systems, drive innovation, and mentor the team.

· Architect and design large-scale backend systems.

· Lead and mentor engineering teams.

· Drive technical excellence and best practices

· Strong analytical skills including the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

What do you need to bring

· Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field.

· 5+ years of backend development experience.

· Proficiency in at least one backend language (Java, Python, Ruby on Rails)

· Expertise in architecting and developing large-scale backend systems using Java EE with extensive experience in Spring MVC or Hibernate.

· Proven track record of designing, building, and maintaining complex RESTful APIs and microservices.

· Leadership in guiding engineering teams through complex technical challenges and design decisions.

· In-depth knowledge of distributed systems, cloud-native applications, and containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes.

· Experience with large-scale data processing, caching strategies, and performance optimization.

· Strong experience with distributed systems and microservices.

· Proven ability to lead and mentor teams.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience with Agile methodology , large-scale, high-performance systems.

· Knowledge of the payment processing industry and relevant regulations.

· Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure).

· Contributions to open-source projects

Additional Job Description:

Subsidiary:

PayPal

Travel Percent:

0

-

PayPal is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices.

Actual Compensation is based on various factors including but not limited to work location, and relevant skills and experience.

The total compensation for this practice may include an annual performance bonus (or other incentive compensation, as applicable), equity, and medical, dental, vision, and other benefits. For more information, visit https://www.paypalbenefits.com.

The U.S. national annual pay range for this role is

$84500 to $204600

For the majority of employees, PayPal's balanced hybrid work model offers 3 days in the office for effective in-person collaboration and 2 days at your choice of either the PayPal office or your home workspace, ensuring that you equally have the benefits and conveniences of both locations.

Our Benefits:

At PayPal, we’re committed to building an equitable and inclusive global economy. And we can’t do this without our most important asset—you. That’s why we offer benefits to help you thrive in every stage of life. We champion your financial, physical, and mental health by offering valuable benefits and resources to help you care for the whole you.

We have great benefits including a flexible work environment, employee shares options, health and life insurance and more. To learn more about our benefits please visit https://www.paypalbenefits.com.

Who We Are:

Click Here to learn more about our culture and community.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 

PayPal provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  In addition, PayPal will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.  If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at talentaccommodations@paypal.com.

Belonging at PayPal: 

Our employees are central to advancing our mission, and we strive to create an environment where everyone can do their best work with a sense of purpose and belonging. Belonging at PayPal means creating a workplace with a sense of acceptance and security where all employees feel included and valued. We are proud to have a diverse workforce reflective of the merchants, consumers, and communities that we serve, and we continue to take tangible actions to cultivate inclusivity and belonging at PayPal.

Any general requests for consideration of your skills, please Join our Talent Community.

We know the confidence gap and imposter syndrome can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates. Please don’t hesitate to apply.

Notice to Applicants and Employees who reside within New York City. Click here to view the notice.

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Average salary estimate

$144550 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$84500K
$204600K

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 Software Engineer, Back End (Java), PayPal

Join PayPal as a Staff Software Engineer, Back End (Java) in the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois! At PayPal, we're on a mission to revolutionize global commerce, and we want you to be a part of our dynamic engineering team where innovation meets collaboration. This is not just about writing code; it's about designing and developing scalable backend systems that power millions of daily transactions worldwide. You will have the chance to lead engineering teams, while working closely with talented peers to drive technical excellence and best practices. Your strong analytical skills will come into play as you tackle complex problems and build large-scale applications using Java EE and frameworks like Spring MVC or Hibernate. If you bring over five years of backend development experience, an understanding of distributed systems, and a passion for mentoring others, you’re exactly who we’re looking for! At PayPal, we value our employees and offer an inclusive workplace where everyone thrives. Here, you’ll play a critical role not only in shaping our projects but also in impacting our customers’ experiences. Let’s work together to build cutting-edge solutions that make commerce simpler, safer, and more personalized for our users!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Staff Software Engineer, Back End (Java) Role at PayPal
What are the main responsibilities of a Staff Software Engineer, Back End (Java) at PayPal?

As a Staff Software Engineer, Back End (Java) at PayPal, your main responsibilities include architecting and designing large-scale backend systems, leading and mentoring engineering teams, and driving technical excellence within projects. You will work closely with different cross-functional teams to ensure the delivery of world-class experiences that meet both customer and business needs.

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What qualifications are necessary for the Staff Software Engineer, Back End (Java) role at PayPal?

To qualify for the Staff Software Engineer, Back End (Java) role at PayPal, you should hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, possess over five years of backend development experience, and demonstrate proficiency with backend languages such as Java. Experience in architecting and developing complex RESTful APIs and distributed systems is also strongly desired.

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How does PayPal support the career growth of Staff Software Engineers?

At PayPal, career development is paramount, especially for Staff Software Engineers. We offer various mentoring opportunities, training sessions, and workshops that help enhance your technical and leadership skills. Our collaborative environment encourages engineers to share knowledge, and we support contributions to open-source projects, which allows you to grow while impacting the tech community.

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What technologies does a Staff Software Engineer, Back End (Java) at PayPal typically work with?

A Staff Software Engineer, Back End (Java) at PayPal typically works with a range of technologies including Java EE, Spring MVC, Hibernate, Docker, Kubernetes, and various cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure. Familiarity with performance optimization and large-scale data processing is also beneficial in this dynamic role.

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What is the work culture like for a Staff Software Engineer at PayPal?

The work culture for a Staff Software Engineer at PayPal is inclusive, innovative, and collaborative. Employees work in a balanced hybrid environment that values flexibility and personal well-being, allowing them to thrive both professionally and personally. Everyone is encouraged to bring their best selves to work, making contributions that foster a sense of purpose and belonging.

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Common Interview Questions for Staff Software Engineer, Back End (Java)
Can you discuss your experience with backend development using Java?

When answering this question, be sure to highlight specific projects or applications you've developed using Java, focusing on your role in the design, architecture, and implementation phases. Discuss your familiarity with frameworks like Spring MVC or Hibernate, and share insights on challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

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What are some best practices you follow when designing RESTful APIs?

Be prepared to explain the principles of REST, such as statelessness, resources, and the use of standard HTTP methods. Discuss versioning, security measures like OAuth, and how you ensure performance and scalability in your API designs. It's helpful if you can provide examples from your past experience.

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How do you handle technical debt in large-scale projects?

Share your strategies for identifying and prioritizing technical debt. Discuss how you communicate with team members to create a plan for addressing it over time while maintaining project timelines. Use examples from past projects to illustrate your approach.

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Can you describe a significant challenge you faced while leading a team and how you resolved it?

Highlight a specific challenge that demonstrates your leadership skills. Describe the situation, your approach to resolving conflicts, how you supported your team, and the positive outcomes that followed. Focus on your problem-solving and mentoring abilities.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What are some performance optimization techniques you've implemented in past projects?

Discuss techniques such as caching strategies, database indexing, load balancing, or code profiling that you have used to enhance application performance. Be specific about how these optimizations improved the user experience or system efficiency.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How do you ensure code quality and maintainability in your work?

Talk about practices like code reviews, automated testing, and adherence to coding standards. Mention any tools you utilize for continuous integration and deployments, emphasizing how they contribute to quality assurance in your projects.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Describe your experience with microservices architecture.

When responding, clarify your role in designing and developing microservices. Discuss the benefits you observed with microservices, such as scalability and the isolation of features, along with any challenges you faced, such as managing inter-service communication.

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How do you stay updated with the latest technologies and trends in software engineering?

Share habits that demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning, such as participating in online courses, attending conferences, or contributing to open-source projects. Mention how you apply new knowledge to your work, making it relevant to the role at PayPal.

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Can you explain your approach to mentoring junior engineers?

Discuss your mentoring philosophy, emphasizing the importance of building a supportive learning environment. Share specific methods you use to guide junior engineers, such as regular check-ins, reviewing their work, and encouraging open communication.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What experience do you have with cloud platforms and how have you utilized them in your projects?

Be prepared to elaborate on your experience with platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP and mention specific services you've used (e.g., compute resources, databases, storage solutions). Discuss how these platforms have enhanced your project's scalability and deployment strategies.

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At PayPal (Nasdaq: PYPL), we put people at the center of everything we do. Founded in 1998, we continue to be at the forefront of the digital payments revolution, last year we processed 4 billion payments, of which 1 billion were made on mobile d...

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April 2, 2025

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