> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2722821-ciam-software-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2722821-ciam-software-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # CIAM Software Engineer - **Company:** Affirm - **Location:** Los Angeles, CA, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $195,000.0 - $255,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, User Authentication, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Data Stores, Cursor (Graphical User Interface Elements), Software Debugging, Distributed Systems, Multi-Factor Authentication, Github, Python (Programming Language), OAuth, OpenID, Ping (Networking Utility), Azure Active Directory, Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML), Software Engineering, Systems Integration, Privacy Controls, Okta, Backend, Kotlin, Customer Identity Access Management, Low Latency, Build Tools, Front End Software Development, Api Design, Terraform - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/senior-ciam-software-engineer-affirm-2-7921225 ## About the Role * Strong experience designing and implementing CIAM systems, with deep, hands-on knowledge of OAuth 2.0, OIDC, SAML, and SCIM beyond basic configuration. * 5+ years of professional backend software engineering experience * Strong production experience in Python or a similar backend language * Experience designing APIs, automation frameworks, and distributed systems * Hands-on experience building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines * Experience with GitHub-based development workflows and Buildkite or similar build systems * Experience with cloud-native development, preferably AWS * Hands-on experience extending and integrating CIAM platforms such as Okta, Auth0, Ping Identity, ForgeRock, or Azure AD B2C using custom code, hooks, and APIs. * Solid understanding of backend and distributed systems fundamentals, including API design, data modeling, latency, error handling, and observability. * Experience with Infrastructure as Code and automation tools such as Terraform, plus CI/CD pipelines for deploying backend services. * Strong security fundamentals applied through engineering, including access control models, token handling, encryption, MFA, and privacy by design. * Clear communication skills and the ability to work closely with product, frontend, mobile, and security teams while owning backend identity services. * Familiarity with tools such as Cursor and other AI-augmented development environments ## Description Affirm is reinventing credit to make it more honest and friendly, giving consumers the flexibility to buy now and pay later without any hidden fees or compounding interest. Affirm is building the next generation of customer identity and authentication. This role is a hands-on engineering position inside Information Security, focused on designing and shipping core CIAM capabilities that protect customers and support growth. You will build and operate backend services that power registration, login, authorization, and account lifecycle flows across B2C and B2B experiences. You will work closely with partner engineering teams and ensure identity features are delivered with strong security fundamentals, reliability, and operational rigor. What you'll do * Design, build, and operate core CIAM backend services that support customer registration, authentication, authorization, account lifecycle, and profile management for B2C and B2B platforms. * Implement and extend identity standards such as OAuth 2.0, OIDC, SAML, and SCIM in code, ensuring correctness, scalability, and clean integration patterns. * Develop backend APIs and services in Python and Kotlin that expose identity capabilities to web, mobile, and partner applications. * Integrate CIAM platforms with internal systems, including user data stores, messaging, fraud signals, and downstream customer platforms. * Own secure authentication and account flows end to end, including MFA, step-up authentication, device binding, consent, and adaptive authentication logic. * Automate CIAM infrastructure and deployments using Infrastructure as Code and CI/CD pipelines, treating identity as a core platform service. * Monitor, debug, and optimize CIAM services for performance, resilience, and abuse detection in high-scale environments. ## Related Videos - [The AI-Native Engineering Org: What’s Real, What’s Hype, What’s Next](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100004-the-ai-native-engineering-org-what-s-real-what-s-hype-what-s-next) - [Kotlin Multiplatform - True power of native code reuse](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/4-kotlin-multiplatform-true-power-of-native-code-reuse) - [Keeping applications secure by evolving OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100152-keeping-applications-secure-by-evolving-oauth-2-0-and-openid-connect) - [AI Won't Fix Your Engineering Culture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100266-ai-won-t-fix-your-engineering-culture) - [Why Kotlin is the better Java and how you can start using it](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/661-why-kotlin-is-the-better-java-and-how-you-can-start-using-it) - [Delay the AI Overlords: How OAuth and OpenFGA Can Keep Your AI Agents from Going Rogue](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1637-delay-the-ai-overlords-how-oauth-and-openfga-can-keep-your-ai-agents-from-going-rogue) ## Related Articles - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [The Best X (Twitter) Accounts for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/294-the-best-x-twitter-accounts-for-developers) - [What is Software Engineering in the Age of AI?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/640-what-is-software-engineering-in-the-age-of-ai) - [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers) - [Transforming Software Development: The Role of AI and Developer Tools](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/527-transforming-software-development-the-role-of-ai-and-developer-tools)