Staff Software Engineer in Austin, TX

Role Responsibilities As a Staff Software Engineer supporting the Global Bill Payments platform at Western Union, you are an Individual Contributor (IC) responsible for the architectural integrity and technical evolution of mission‑critical systems. Lead the design and evolution of a simplified, high-performance, globally scalable Bill Payments architecture Define and influence architectural decisions across services, APIs, data flows, and infrastructure strategy Design and implement microservices‑based systems supporting high‑volume, real‑time financial transactions Partner with engineers, product managers, and business stakeholders across global teams to deliver end‑to‑end solutions Act as a trusted domain expert for Bill Payments, guiding technical direction and system evolution Improve system reliability, performance, and scalability through deep technical analysis and hands‑on optimization Ensure architecture and implementations meet enterprise‑grade standards for security, compliance, and resilience Translate complex business requirements into elegant, scalable, and maintainable technical solutions Champion engineering best practices including CI/CD, automated testing, and modern Agile delivery practices Contribute to strengthening engineering culture through collaboration, mentorship, and technical leadership Explore and evaluate emerging technologies, including AI‑enabled development tools, to enhance engineering efficiency and system intelligence Role Requirements Qualifications include: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field with 8+ years of experience, or master’s degree with 6+ years of experience Strong hands‑on software engineering experience in Java/J2EE, frameworks such as Spring Boot Strong hands‑on experience with AWS, RDS, Postgres Deep expertise in computer science fundamentals including data structures, algorithms, OOP, and system design Proven experience designing and delivering distributed, microservices‑based architectures at scale Strong experience with SQL databases, data modeling, and building reliable data‑driven systems Hands‑on experience building APIs, web services, and enterprise system integrations (XML/JSON) Solid experience with AWS cloud services and cloud‑native application design Strong experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing frameworks, and Test‑Driven Development (TDD) Demonstrated ability to lead architecture design discussions and influence technical direction across teams Experience working in Agile environments with iterative, fast‑paced delivery cycles Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to thrive in complex and ambiguous environments Experience collaborating across globally distributed engineering teams and time zones Ability to operate effectively as a hands‑on engineer while driving architectural strategy in an IC role Strong communication skills with ability to influence and align technical and business stakeholders Hands‑on experience using AI coding tools and agents to accelerate development Ability to write high‑quality prompts and critically validate AI‑generated output Judgment on where automation helps vs. where human expertise is required Advocates for developer productivity without compromising quality or safety Nice to Have Experience in financial services, payments, or highly regulated domains Experience with hybrid cloud architecture Exposure to AI platforms, prompt engineering, explainable AI, or applied AI in enterprise engineering workflows Experience modernizing monolithic or legacy systems into cloud‑native, distributed architectures Hiring Eligibility & Work Arrangement Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. Western Union will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position. Work Shift: HYBRID – The expectation is to work from the office a minimum of three days a week. Location: 11902 Burnet Rd., Suite 350, Austin, TX 78758 Benefits and Other Details Benefits include short‑term incentives, multiple health insurance options, accident and life insurance, and access to best‑in‑class development platforms. United States‑specific benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Tuition Assistance Program; Employee Discount Program; Parental Leave; 401K Plan. Salary Base salary range: $125,000 - $155,000 per year; total on‑target earnings include a base salary and short‑term incentives that align with individual and company performance. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, political affiliation, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status. Please do not respond to any questions that may solicit age‑related information; you will not be penalized for redacting or removing such information. The company will provide accommodation to applicants, including those with disabilities, during the recruitment process, following applicable laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr Western Union