Staff Software Engineer - Full Stack (Java and React) - job 19 of 23

As a Staff Software Engineer - Full Stack at Visa, your responsibilities encompass leading product development through the full development cycle, closely collaborating with cross-functional teams including product managers and architects. You'll focus on designing and customizing solutions for the Ecosystem and Operational Risk product team while mentoring fellow engineers. Consistent application of sound engineering practices to drive business outcomes and staying abreast of emerging technologies is pivotal in this role.

To qualify as a Staff Software Engineer - Full Stack at Visa, you should have a solid background in Java and React, along with experience in building and deploying modern web applications. A growth mindset, curiosity about new technologies, and a collaborative spirit are also vital. Moreover, experience in Agile/Scrum environments and the ability to mentor others will greatly benefit your success in this role.

Visa is committed to fostering growth and learning among Staff Software Engineers. You’ll have opportunities to participate in mentorship programs, lead design reviews, and engage in continuous learning initiatives. Additionally, Visa encourages you to explore emerging technologies through proof of concepts to ensure you stay at the forefront of the ever-evolving tech landscape.

The Staff Software Engineer role at Visa embraces a hybrid work model, allowing you to balance remote work and in-office days. Employees are expected to work in the office for 2-3 set days each week based on leadership decisions, aiming for around 50% in-office presence to foster collaboration and teamwork.

Key skills for a Staff Software Engineer - Full Stack at Visa include strong programming capabilities in Java and React, an understanding of modern service architecture, and effective problem-solving abilities. Additionally, having a collaborative mindset and the capacity to adapt to changing technology landscapes are crucial for success in this dynamic role.

When responding to this question, share specific projects where you utilized Java and React. Highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and the solutions you implemented. Demonstrating how you have leveraged these technologies to create scalable web applications will showcase your expertise.

In answering this question, discuss your mentoring philosophy and share experiences where you've successfully guided junior engineers. Emphasize your ability to provide constructive feedback and foster a collaborative environment to enhance their development.

You could explain how you subscribe to tech blogs, attend webinars, or participate in tech communities. Sharing specific technologies you’ve explored recently can demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and staying relevant in the field.

Detail your process for prioritization, which could include evaluating deadlines, assessing project impacts, and communicating with stakeholders. Mention tools or methodologies like Agile/Scrum that you utilize to manage your workload effectively.

Provide a compelling example where you worked collaboratively to address a complex issue. Highlight the problem, the approach your team took, and the successful outcome, emphasizing your role in driving the solution.

Discuss engineering practices that resonate with you, such as code reviews, automated testing, or documentation. Explain how these practices improve team productivity and product quality, showcasing your understanding of robust engineering principles.

Explain strategies that you implement for writing clean and maintainable code, like following design patterns, using version control systems, and conducting regular refactoring sessions. Discuss how these practices contribute to the scalability of applications.

Describe your experience working in Agile teams, your familiarity with ceremonies (like sprint planning and retrospectives), and how you've contributed to improving team processes. Highlight the importance of flexibility and adaptation in Agile environments.

Focus on your problem-solving approach during high-pressure situations. Discuss your prioritization of issues, collaboration with the team, and effective communication skills that enable quick resolution while ensuring minimal disruption.

Articulate the role of cross-functional collaboration in software development, emphasizing its benefits for aligning goals, sharing expertise, and enhancing product quality. Share past experiences where collaboration led to successful outcomes in your projects.