Technical Lead - Consumer Experience

Job Description

Job Description

At Koalafi, we believe in a world where no one has to put an important purchase on hold. That's why we're making it easier for more people to pay for big purchases over time.

Retailers across the country rely on us to offer flexible lease-to-own financing to their non-prime consumers, while increasing sales and strengthening customer loyalty. Their 2M+ customers love us because we provide a flexible way for them to make payments and give them an opportunity to improve their credit. Our 200+ Koalafi teammates enjoy inspiring and challenging work that accelerates their careers.

Interested in learning more about how we're transforming the financing experience and joining our team?

About the role

Koalafi is seeking a hands-on Tech Lead for the Consumer Team to drive the technical direction and execution of the systems that power our consumer web experience. This leader will guide a team of engineers responsible for payment processing, modernizing legacy systems, building scalable services, and delivering the tools that enable consumers to meet their financing needs with Koalafi.

As Tech Lead for the Consumer Team, you'll shape the systems and team that power Koalafi's consumer experience. You'll direct and guide engineers through design and delivery, work closely with product, risk, and operations, and stay hands-on in the codebase. You'll grow as both a people and technical leader while continuing to code and mentor others.

What you'll do

Lead and deliver:

• Define and execute the technical roadmap for consumer services and APIs

• Architect, build, and modernize backend and frontend systems using React, Golang, and AWS

• Guide design reviews and promote best engineering practices within the team

• Shape quarterly roadmaps that balance ambitious modernization with high-impact features

Coach and influence:

• Mentor engineers through pairing, feedback, and thoughtful one-on-one guidance

• Partner with product, operations, and risk to align business goals with technical execution

• Nurture a high-performing, collaborative engineering culture grounded in ownership and accountability

Innovate and optimize:

• Improve system reliability, observability, and scalability for high-volume financial transactions

• Integrate AI tools into daily development to streamline code analysis, refactoring, and feature builds while ensuring system reliability

• Champion automation, testing, and deployment practices that drive speed and confidence

• Collaborate on technical design reviews and ensure architectural consistency across services

What you'll bring

• 7+ years of professional software engineering experience

• 3+ years of prior management experience

• Experience leading technical efforts or small teams guided by data-driven decisions

• Track record of turning complex technical visions into phased, achievable roadmaps

• Proficiency in React and Golang, with the ability to provide legacy system support in C#/.Net

• Strong database skills in schema design and performance optimization (SQL Server, Postgres)

• Comfort working across frontend, backend, and serverless technologies (TypeScript, AWS)

• Strong understanding of containerized services and event-driven systems

• Proven ability to balance technical depth with business impact and clear communication

• Bonus: prior experience in fintech, payments, or e-commerce

Location: Richmond, VA; Arlington, VA; or Remote (U.S.). Associates near one of our office locations may work in-office, hybrid, or remotely. Remote opportunities are available to candidates throughout the United States.

Salary Range: $168,000-$217,000 per year (depending on experience and location)
Additional Compensation: This position will be eligible to participate in company bonus plan.

The final salary offer will depend on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, and geographic location. The actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate's offer letter.

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Why choose Koalafi: A career at Koalafi means opportunities to tackle exciting challenges every single day. We take pride in a culture of innovation, trust, and ownership. You'll get outside your comfort zone, build meaningful relationships, and most of all, take charge of projects that ultimately help people get the things they need most.

Benefits:

At Koalafi, you will have a direct impact on our products and help shape the company's success. We offer competitive compensation & benefits packages to keep you at your best:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 20 PTO days + 11 paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement with company matching
• Student Loan & Tuition Reimbursement
• Commuter assistance
• Parental leave (maternal + paternal)
• Inclusion and Associate Engagement Programs

Who we are & what we value:

• We focus on what's most important
• We set clear expectations and deliver
• We embrace challenges to reach our full potential
• We ask, "How can this be better?"
• We move fast together