Principal Software Engineer, Architecture

About the Role

Join Affirm's Architecture Group as a Principal Software Engineer to lead the technical vision for our international expansion, focusing on compliance, localization, and cross-border trade. This pivotal remote role in Poland offers the chance to shape our global platform and mentor future technical leaders in Europe.

Responsibilities

• Drive the long-term technical vision for Affirm’s international expansion, with emphasis on compliance, localization, payments, and cross-border trade.
• Lead architectural strategy and roadmap definition for Europe in collaboration with domain tech leads, the broader Architecture Group, and EU leadership.
• Ensure Affirm’s systems are adaptable to country-specific requirements, including payments infrastructure, KYC/AML regulations, and localization needs.
• Define and uphold standards for design and code quality through reviews, mentoring, and hands-on architectural guidance.
• Partner with Product and Engineering leadership to influence international product direction and align business goals with robust system architecture.
• Guide cross-functional teams to deliver end-to-end solutions that integrate seamlessly with global Affirm platforms.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Play a critical role in building Affirm’s technical leadership bench in Europe.
• Mentor senior Individual Contributors (ICs) and formally establish a strong EU-based tech leads group.
• Serve as the accountable technical leader for Affirm’s European expansion, ensuring that our platform and systems are built to operate reliably, securely, and compliantly across diverse markets.

Requirements

• Proven expertise in software architecture, particularly for international expansion and cross-border trade.
• Deep understanding of compliance, localization, payments infrastructure, and KYC/AML regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to define and lead architectural strategy and technical roadmaps.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with experience developing technical talent.
• Experience partnering with product and engineering leadership to align technical vision with business goals.
• Ability to ensure systems operate reliably, securely, and compliantly in diverse global markets.