Join a high-velocity team founded by former Braintree and PayPal leaders to revolutionize modern card platform management. As a Principal Engineer, you will architect secure, scalable Java-based payment systems, integrate advanced AI-powered development tools into the SDLC, and build critical ledger and wallet functionalities for digital-first organizations globally.
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Principal Software Engineer at Highnote
Are you a seasoned engineer ready to redefine the future of payments? We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer in San Francisco to architect secure, scalable card issuance platforms using Java and cutting-edge AI-powered development tools. With a flat hierarchy, direct leadership exposure, and a mission to solve payment use cases that don't even exist yet, this is your chance to build a category-defining product from the ground up. Enjoy 100% healthcare coverage, equity, and a competitive $190k-$240k salary while working alongside the industry's most advanced payments team.
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Location
San Francisco, United States
Compensation
$190k-$240k + Equity
Company
Highnote
About this role
Role overview
About the company
Highnote is the unified platform for modern card issuing, acquiring, credit, and money movement, purpose-built for embedded finance. It enables brands and digital enterprises to design, launch, and scale intelligent payment products including physical and virtual card issuance (debit, credit, charge, commercial, consumer), spend controls, multi-party wallets, credit management, and acquiring on a single cloud-native platform.
What you'll do
What you will do
- Architect and write high-quality, robustly tested Java code to build secure card issuer processor products and ledger functionalities.
- Lead the adoption of AI-powered development tools like Claude Code to accelerate design, prototyping, and the full software development lifecycle.
- Interface across multiple company domains to document and strengthen a rapidly-scaling platform that solves complex, real-world payment use cases.
Who you are
Who this is a fit for
- 12+ years of experience building production software systems with a mastery of scalable, performant, and maintainable backend engineering.
- Deep proficiency in Java (11+), JPA/ORM mapping, and SQL, with a strong interest in learning and implementing AI agent frameworks.
- Demonstrated passion for shipping customer-centric software and a drive to push the boundaries of engineering productivity using modern AI tools.
Why this role
Why this role is remarkable
- Build from the ground up at a flat organization where you have direct exposure to a leadership team comprised of payments industry veterans from PayPal and Lending Club.
- Influence the future of embedded finance with a company that has raised over $145M from top-tier investors like Westcap and Pinegrove Venture Partners.
- Work in a hybrid San Francisco environment that prioritizes face-to-face connection while providing a generous home office stipend and 100% healthcare coverage.
Jack & Jill
How Jack & Jill work together
I get to know what you’re great at, then find roles you’d never find yourself.Ok, I'll go first. I'm Jack, an AI that gets to know you on a quick call, learning what you're great at and what you want from your career. Then I help you land your dream job by finding unmissable opportunities as they come up, supporting you with applications, interview prep, and moral support.
I recruit from Jack’s network and make the intro when I spot a great match.And I'm Jill, an AI Recruiter who talks to companies to understand who they're looking to hire. Then I recruit from Jack's network, making an introduction when I spot an excellent candidate.
Jack gets to know what you're great at and what you want next, then searches 15 million jobs daily and helps you discover roles at companies like this.
Meet Jack
What happens next?
Jack’s an AI agent for job searching and career coaching. He works for you.
Jill is the AI recruiter working for the company. She recruits from Jack’s network.
If your profile’s a match and Highnote wants to meet, Jill will make the intro. In the meantime, Jack will send you excellent alternatives.