Principal Software Architect - Digital Wallets
PayPal
Software Engineering, IT
San Jose, CA, USA · San José Province, San José, Costa Rica · United States
USD 120,300-287,100 / year + Equity
Posted on May 16, 2025
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:
What you need to know about the role: We are seeking a highly motivated, self-starter Principal Software Architect to join our Engineering team to help accelerate this mission and be part of a key strategic initiative. As a technical lead in PayPal’s Digital Wallets ecosystem, you will be platform-focused in helping design systems at scale. You thrive on the challenge of building and optimizing platforms at scale, are deeply passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technologies to create impact, and are dedicated to innovation and global market success. Your role will involve leveraging your extensive technical expertise and practical experience in Distributed Systems to lead and enable solutions to leverage existing platforms and guide the team through the intricacies of functional definition, architecture, solution implementation, and integration within complex environments. With a proven track record in technical leadership, you'll be instrumental in driving high-quality products and ensuring the successful delivery of projects while effectively leading and mentoring team members. Meet our team: We are a team of small and self-driven engineers and product managers to deliver innovative solutions to drive business impact, on a mission to empower consumers with Digital Wallets and enable commerce globally.
Job Description:
Your way to impact:
As one of the most senior engineers in the team, you will be the go-to person for any technical issues and decisions internally, and partner with other teams and partners representing the team within a globally distributed organization.
Your day-to-day:
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 $120300 to $287100
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:
To learn more about our culture and community visit https://about.pypl.com/who-we-are/default.aspx
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 paypalglobaltalentacquisition@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.
REQ ID R0125159
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:
What you need to know about the role: We are seeking a highly motivated, self-starter Principal Software Architect to join our Engineering team to help accelerate this mission and be part of a key strategic initiative. As a technical lead in PayPal’s Digital Wallets ecosystem, you will be platform-focused in helping design systems at scale. You thrive on the challenge of building and optimizing platforms at scale, are deeply passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technologies to create impact, and are dedicated to innovation and global market success. Your role will involve leveraging your extensive technical expertise and practical experience in Distributed Systems to lead and enable solutions to leverage existing platforms and guide the team through the intricacies of functional definition, architecture, solution implementation, and integration within complex environments. With a proven track record in technical leadership, you'll be instrumental in driving high-quality products and ensuring the successful delivery of projects while effectively leading and mentoring team members. Meet our team: We are a team of small and self-driven engineers and product managers to deliver innovative solutions to drive business impact, on a mission to empower consumers with Digital Wallets and enable commerce globally.
Job Description:
Your way to impact:
As one of the most senior engineers in the team, you will be the go-to person for any technical issues and decisions internally, and partner with other teams and partners representing the team within a globally distributed organization.
Your day-to-day:
- Lead the design, prototype, and deploy scalable solutions that enhance money movement capabilities in the digital ecosystem.
- Lead development of API Specs and SDKs.
- Effective communication, listening, interpersonal, influencing, and alignment driving skills; able to convey important messages clearly and compellingly.
- Mentor team members, provide technical guidance, and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in AI/ML technology and industry trends and leverage this knowledge to enhance the platform's capabilities.
- Solid track record of engineering and platform delivery and experience in scaling Distributed Systems with an eye toward security, innovation, and a high bar for quality.
- Masters/Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent, with technical expertise in one or more of the above-mentioned areas or equivalent practical experience.
- Proficiency in designing distributed systems with hands-on experience in developing and deploying end-to-end solutions.
- Expert in one or more Programming/scripting languages, preferably in Java.
- Proficiency in data streaming technologies, No SQL databases, and database design
- Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes). Experience in Azure is a plus.
- Strong communication, listening, interpersonal, influencing, and alignment driving skills; able to convey important messages clearly and compellingly.
- Demonstrated leadership abilities, including the ability to inspire, mentor, and empower team members to achieve their full potential.
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 $120300 to $287100
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:
To learn more about our culture and community visit https://about.pypl.com/who-we-are/default.aspx
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 paypalglobaltalentacquisition@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.
REQ ID R0125159