Lead Software Engineer

The Billing and Payments Area is seeking two Lead Software Engineers to support State Farm Payment Plan (SFPP) at the expected job level. The team supports SFPP mainframe and web systems and owns Consent, which manages approval for recurring automated bill payments. Engineers within the team support mainframe, web, services, data, and batch capabilities, with some working across multiple technology stacks however this posting is seeking web engineering skills with the mainframe skills being an added bonus to work across our entire stack. One primary effort is utilizing Artificial Intelligence to see how much of our mainframe system we can migrate over into our web technology stack.

The team partners with business and technology stakeholders to deliver user interfaces, data services, APIs, and batch processing for Agency, Operations, and the Customer Contact Center. SFPP includes stable, business-critical systems that require ongoing maintenance, technical upgrades, security improvements, and targeted business enhancements.

As a Lead Software Engineer, you will design, build, test, secure, deploy, and support full-stack web solutions that integrate with mainframe capabilities. You will influence technical and product direction, maintain high quality and availability for business-critical payment systems, resolve complex issues, and mentor engineers while partnering with leads, Technology Analysts, the Engineering Manager, and stakeholders across the organization., * Design, build, test, secure, deploy, and support full-stack web solutions that depend on SFPP mainframe capabilities.

• Maintain the current SFPP architecture while partnering with engineers, leads, and architecture partners on needed changes.
• Deliver enhancements for SFPP and related Billing and Payments applications and services.
• Translate business needs into reliable technical solutions and explain technical upgrades or constraints in clear business terms.
• Develop and maintain APIs, UI components, batch processes, data movement solutions, and integration patterns for payment capabilities.
• Participate in modernization efforts, including cloud migration, platform upgrades, container adoption, and technology refresh work.
• Build and enhance applications using Java, Spring Boot, JavaScript, and related technologies; Python experience is beneficial.
• Diagnose complex production and non-production issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement long-term stability improvements.
• Apply strong engineering practices across security, source control, CI/CD, unit testing, observability, containers, Linux, mainframe, cloud, and databases.
• Help shape SFPP technical direction by balancing modernization, business priorities, operational stability, and maintainability.
• Champion user experience improvements across usability, consistency, accessibility, reliability, and supportability.
• Mentor engineers through technical guidance, training, code review, work coordination, and delivery support.
• Promote inner source practices through reusable code, documentation, shared patterns, and collaboration across teams and guilds.
• Use AI-assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot, OpenCode, and Codex with sound engineering judgment and quality controls.

• Advanced experience developing and supporting Java applications and enterprise software solutions.
• Experience with Spring Boot, RESTful APIs, and modern frontend frameworks such as React or Angular.
• Advanced understanding of relational databases such as PostgreSQL or DB2, including data design, data movement, and integration patterns.
• Experience delivering solutions across mainframe, Linux, AWS, ROSA, public cloud services, and container environments.
• Experience with Git-based workflows, code review, automated testing, GitLab CI/CD, Dynatrace, or similar DevOps and observability tools.
• Strong software engineering fundamentals, including secure coding, maintainable design, source control, unit testing, and CI/CD.
• Experience with infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform.
• Experience supporting high-volume, business-critical enterprise applications and distributed systems.
• Strong analytical skills for troubleshooting complex application, data, integration, and production support issues.
• Ability to collaborate with technical teams, business partners, product partners, and leaders across the organization.
• Ability to help define product vision and technical direction while balancing delivery, modernization, quality, and operations.
• Experience mentoring engineers, leading technical design discussions, and influencing quality engineering practices.
• Self-motivated learner with strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical topics clearly.
• Experience using AI-assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot, Codex, or OpenCode.
• Experience participating in modernization, cloud migration, platform upgrade, container adoption, or technology refresh initiatives.
• Experience contributing to technical communities, guilds, reusable patterns, shared documentation, or inner source initiatives.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies with ability to be a role model within the team and professionally manage conflicts.

Preferred Skills

• Experience developing applications within the State Farm technology environment.
• Understanding of State Farm’s organizational structure or demonstrated ability to navigate a large enterprise.
• Knowledge of Billing and Payment systems.
• Experience with State Farm Design System or similar design systems for consistent, accessible user experiences.

Our Benefits: Because work-life balance is a priority at State Farm, compensation is based on our standard 38:45-hour work week!

• Potential starting salary range: $120,000 - $135,000 *

• Starting salary will be based on skills, background, and experience
• High end of the range limited to applicants with significant relevant experience
• Potential yearly incentive pay up to 15% of base salary

At State Farm, we offer more than just a paycheck. Check out our suite of benefits designed to give you the flexibility you need to take care of you and your family! * Get Paid! On top of our competitive pay, you are eligible for an annual raise and bonus.

• Stay Well! Focus on you and your family’s health with our robust health and wellbeing programs. State Farm pays most of your healthcare premium, and we offer multiple healthcare plan options, including a high deductible plan. All medical plans provide 100% coverage for in-network preventative care, AND you and your family have access to vision, dental, telemedicine, 24/7 mental health professionals, and much more!
• Develop and Grow! Take advantage of educational benefits like industry leading training programs, top-notch tuition assistance programs, employee resource groups, and mentoring.
• Plan Ahead! Plan for those big moments in life with benefits like fertility/IVF/adoption assistance, college coaching, national discount programs, interactive monthly financial workshops, free financial coaching, and more. You can also start a savings account or consider financing through our State Farm Federal Credit Union!
• Take a Little “You” Time! You will have access to our generous time off policies designed so you can plan around holidays, family events, volunteering, or just to take a relaxing day off. With the opportunity to initially earn up to 20 days annually plus parental leave, paid holidays, celebration day, life leave (40 hours/year), bereavement leave, and community service/education support days, there will be plenty of time for you!
• Give Back! We offer several ways to give back through our Matching Gift Program, Good Neighbor Grant Program, and the Employee Assistance Fund.
• Finish Strong! Plan for retirement using free financial advisors and a 401(k) plan with company contributions of up to 7% of your salary.