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:

We are seeking visionary & practical Distinguished Engineers to join our team, to serve as technical leaders and strategic advisors for key business portfolios. In this role, you will shape the future of our systems by collaborating closely with product, engineering, and business leaders, turning aspirations into scalable technology solutions. Your technical expertise and leadership will help elevate not only our platforms but also the next generation of engineers, as you guide and inspire teams toward meaningful, aligned progress.

Job Description:

What you need to know about the role:

As a Distinguished Engineer at PayPal, you work at the intersection of technology and business. You will drive the architectural evolution of our critical systems, ensuring our platforms are cutting-edge, resilient, and adaptable to future needs. You’ll do this by engaging intensively with stakeholders to translate ideas into reality, navigating complex decision-making landscapes, and providing clarity amidst ambiguity. Along the way, you’ll leave a lasting mark on the company’s technical culture, setting the standard for excellence. 

Meet our team

You’ll be joining a highly focused Enterprise Architecture team that is small in size but plays a pivotal role in defining the technology strategy of the company. Our team works closely with business leaders across various portfolios, translating strategic priorities into technical imperatives that shape our platforms' future. We are trusted advisors to the CTO staff, and coaches for emerging technical talent.

Your way to impact

The impact of this role is multi-dimensional: from ensuring the architecture of our systems is robust and future-proof, to developing the skills of junior engineers, to helping our leadership navigate the complex interplay of business goals and technical execution. PayPal’s Distinguished Engineers provide clarity when navigating conflicting viewpoints, and guide teams toward solutions that are both pragmatic and innovative.

Your day-to-day

Collaborate with business and engineering leaders to define product visions and translate them into actionable technical roadmaps.

Lead the design and review of new and existing system architecture.

Conduct deep research into our existing platform and systems, learning our platform and identifying areas for optimization.

Write documents, draw diagrams, and give presentations that convey requirements and architectural strategies, serving as an exemplar for how technical challenges are approached.

Act as a mentor and coach, helping to develop technical leadership across the organization.

What do you need to bring

Creativity, pragmatism and empathy; technology and business are full of puzzles, and grand visions are realized in steps, by humans, so success in this role requires both technical and interpersonal savvy.

A love of technology and a growth mindset.

Strong communication skills (written, verbal, and visual), with a proven ability to translate technical topics for a diverse audience.

10+ years of software engineering experience, with a significant portion in a senior technical leadership role.

Successful experiences designing large-scale software systems, particularly in complex, multi-stakeholder environments, and a track record of delivering strategic outcomes with via incremental, risk-managed milestones.

Experience mentoring engineers and fostering technical talent across an organization.

Ideally, experience working on high-volume, customer-facing internet platforms, and familiarity with cloud technologies, machine learning, and modern computing trends.

Additional Job Description:

Subsidiary:

PayPal

Travel Percent:

0

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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

$144800 to $319000

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.