Software Engineer - Operations UI

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Software Engineer - Operations UI Company: Visa (Pismo) Location: Reading, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-time Category: Software Engineering / Operations Technology Date Posted: 2025-10-16 Experience Level: Entry-level (0-2 years) Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Focus on developing and maintaining backend services for an Operations UI, specifically connecting UI elements to internal APIs via GraphQL.
• Collaborate closely with senior engineers and cross-functional teams to design, build, and test robust backend solutions within a cloud-first fintech environment.
• Engage in core software development practices including pair programming, bug fixing, and contributing to architectural design discussions to enhance service reliability and performance.
• Learn and apply modern development methodologies such as microservices architecture, cloud-native development, and secure coding best practices.
• Contribute to a critical platform used by global customers, with opportunities to explore new technologies and gain experience in large-scale financial systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for an "Associate Backend Engineer" focusing on the "Operations UI" team within Pismo, which was acquired by Visa. The core function involves building the backend logic that powers the user interface used for daily operational tasks. While the title is "Software Engineer - Operations UI," the responsibilities and requirements clearly indicate a backend development focus with an emphasis on supporting operational workflows. The "Operations UI" aspect means the candidate will be instrumental in creating the tools that allow clients to manage their services efficiently.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain GraphQL endpoints that serve as the bridge between the Operations UI and internal backend APIs, enabling essential operational functionalities.
• Collaborate with senior engineers and product teams to define requirements, design scalable backend services, and implement new features for the Control-Center platform.
• Actively participate in code reviews, providing constructive feedback and learning from peer insights to ensure code quality and adherence to best practices.
• Troubleshoot and resolve bugs and performance issues in backend services, contributing to the overall stability and reliability of the platform.
• Engage in pair programming sessions to foster knowledge sharing, accelerate learning, and ensure consistent development standards across the team.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of microservices architecture, leveraging cloud-native principles and secure coding practices within an AWS environment.
• Document technical designs, API specifications, and operational procedures to support ongoing development and knowledge transfer.
• Assist in the testing of backend services, including unit, integration, and end-to-end testing, to validate functionality and performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on backend development role with a strong emphasis on GraphQL API development and integration with internal systems. The "Operations UI" context means the focus is on creating features that enable customers to manage financial operations, such as viewing transactions or adjusting balances. The role also emphasizes learning and applying modern software engineering practices within a regulated fintech environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a closely related technical field.

Experience:

• 0-2 years of experience in backend software development, with a strong emphasis on learning and practical application.
• Demonstrated experience through academic projects, internships, or personal coding endeavors showcasing an ability to build and maintain software.

Required Skills:

• Foundational understanding of backend development principles, including API design and data structures.
• Exposure to or a strong interest in Golang (Go) for backend service development.
• Familiarity with GraphQL for API development and querying.
• Basic knowledge of RESTful API principles and design.
• Enthusiasm for working with cloud platforms, particularly AWS.
• Ability to write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code.
• Proficiency in secure coding practices to protect sensitive financial data.
• Strong debugging skills and willingness to use debugging tools to identify and resolve issues.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• A proactive approach to learning and a genuine curiosity for new technologies and development methodologies.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with microservices architecture patterns and principles.
• Experience with cloud-native development concepts and tools.
• Practical experience with version control systems, specifically Git.
• Exposure to Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
• Knowledge of containerization technologies such as Docker.
• Exposure to telemetry, monitoring, or logging tools for system observability.
• Understanding of modern database technologies and data modeling.
• Prior exposure to financial technology (FinTech) or regulated environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize foundational backend development skills and a strong willingness to learn, aligning with an Associate or entry-level role. The specific mention of Golang, GraphQL, and AWS indicates key technologies the candidate will be expected to work with and develop expertise in. The inclusion of "Demonstrated interest in software development through coursework, projects, or internships" is a crucial point for candidates with limited professional experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase projects demonstrating backend development capabilities, ideally involving API creation (REST or GraphQL).
• Include examples of code written in Golang, if available, to highlight language proficiency or learning efforts.
• Projects that utilize cloud services (especially AWS) are highly valued to demonstrate cloud familiarity.
• Examples of contributions to open-source projects or personal coding challenges that highlight problem-solving skills and software design.
• Any projects demonstrating experience with microservices architecture or cloud-native principles.

Process Documentation:

• For any project shared, provide concise documentation explaining the problem it solves, the technical approach taken, and the outcomes achieved.
• Detail the development workflow used, including version control (e.g., Git), testing strategies, and any CI/CD practices implemented.
• Clearly articulate the design choices made, especially regarding API structure, data modeling, and service interaction.
• Evidence of understanding and applying secure coding principles within project development.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a formal "portfolio requirement" in the original posting, for an Associate Backend Engineer role, demonstrating practical application of skills through personal projects, GitHub repositories, or academic work is critical. The focus should be on showing foundational coding ability, understanding of backend concepts, and enthusiasm for learning the required technologies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on an Associate Backend Engineer role in Reading, UK, with a focus on Golang and GraphQL within a major FinTech company like Visa (Pismo), the estimated annual salary range is £40,000 - £60,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Reading, the experience level (0-2 years), and the specialized technical skills required (Golang, GraphQL, AWS). The exact salary will depend on the candidate's specific skills, interview performance, and alignment with the company's compensation bands.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision).
• Retirement savings plan (pension scheme) with potential company matching contributions.
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training, certifications, and conference attendance.
• Stock options or employee stock purchase plans may be available.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Employee assistance programs (EAP) for mental health and well-being support.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Access to Visa's global employee resource groups and networking opportunities.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week.
• While the role is remote, adherence to core working hours may be expected to facilitate collaboration with global teams and for scheduled operational activities.
• Flexibility may be offered, but clear communication with the team regarding availability is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the specified location and experience level, as no specific range was provided. Benefits are standard for a large, established company like Visa, with a focus on employee well-being, professional growth, and financial security. The remote nature may offer flexibility, but operational needs will dictate specific availability requirements.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (FinTech), Payments, Financial Infrastructure Company Size: Visa (as a whole) is a global corporation with tens of thousands of employees. Pismo, prior to acquisition, had over 500 employees. This indicates a blend of a large corporate structure with the agility of a specialized FinTech unit. Founded: Pismo was founded in 2016. Visa's history dates back much further, providing a stable, established foundation.

Team Structure:

• The Operations UI team is part of the broader Control-Center platform, which is integral to Pismo's core offering.
• The team likely comprises backend engineers, frontend engineers, QA specialists, and potentially a product manager or technical lead.
• Reporting structure will likely involve reporting to a Senior Engineering Manager or Director overseeing the Control-Center platform.
• Cross-functional collaboration is expected with product management, other engineering teams (e.g., core platform, API services), and potentially customer support or client onboarding teams.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on agile development methodologies, including Scrum or Kanban, for iterative development and rapid deployment.
• Data-driven decision-making, utilizing metrics and performance data to inform development priorities and improvements.
• A strong focus on microservices architecture, cloud-native development, and leveraging AWS services for scalability and reliability.
• Commitment to engineering excellence through practices like code reviews, automated testing, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD).
• A culture that encourages continuous learning, innovation, and challenging the status quo.

Company Website: https://usa.visa.com/ (Visa corporate); https://pismo.io/ (Pismo, current status may vary post-acquisition)

📝 Enhancement Note: The integration of Pismo into Visa signifies a move towards leveraging Visa's extensive resources and market reach while maintaining Pismo's innovative FinTech capabilities. This environment offers both stability and opportunities for growth within a rapidly evolving sector. The "Operations UI" team's role is critical for customer satisfaction and operational efficiency, making it a high-impact area.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "Associate Backend Engineer," indicating an entry-level position (0-2 years of experience). It's designed for individuals starting their software engineering careers, with a focus on learning and contributing under guidance.

Reporting Structure: The Associate Backend Engineer will report to a Senior Engineer or Team Lead within the Operations UI team. This lead will provide mentorship, guidance on tasks, and oversee performance and development. The team itself likely reports into a broader engineering management structure for the Control-Center platform.

Operations Impact: While the role is technically focused on backend development for an operations interface, its impact is significant. By enabling customers to efficiently manage their financial operations (viewing transactions, adjusting balances, managing cards), this team directly contributes to customer satisfaction, operational efficiency for clients, and the overall scalability and success of Pismo's platform within Visa. A well-functioning Operations UI reduces friction for clients and supports the broader adoption of Visa's financial solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in Golang, GraphQL, AWS, and microservices architecture. Progress to mid-level and senior backend engineering roles.
• Domain Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in FinTech, payment processing, and financial infrastructure, becoming a valuable asset in this domain.
• Leadership Potential: As experience grows, opportunities may arise to mentor junior engineers, lead feature development, or transition into technical lead or management roles.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working with various stakeholders, understanding different facets of product development, and potentially exploring frontend development or full-stack roles if desired.
• Learning & Development Programs: Access to Visa's extensive training resources, mentorship programs, and opportunities to attend industry conferences for continuous skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a foundational step in a software engineering career within the FinTech space. The growth path is clearly defined, emphasizing technical skill acquisition and domain expertise, which are highly valued in the financial technology sector. The move to Visa offers a stable environment with ample resources for career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position. While Visa is a global company with offices, this specific role does not require regular attendance at a physical Visa office. However, the posting notes that "Remote positions may be required to be present at a Visa office with scheduled notice," implying occasional visits might be necessary for key meetings or team events.

Office Location(s): The primary location listed is Reading, United Kingdom, but the role is remote, meaning candidates can be based anywhere within the UK or potentially other specified remote work regions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Remote Environment: The team utilizes digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, video conferencing) to maintain strong communication and teamwork despite being geographically dispersed.
• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to development tools, cloud environments (AWS), and collaboration platforms necessary for backend development and operational task management.
• Team Interaction: Regular virtual stand-ups, pair programming sessions, and team meetings are crucial for fostering a connected and productive remote work environment. Opportunities for informal virtual interactions will likely exist to build team camaraderie.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 per week) are expected.
• While remote, candidates will need to manage their time effectively to meet deadlines and be available for scheduled meetings and collaborations, potentially across different time zones if the team is globally distributed.
• The flexibility of remote work allows for better work-life integration, but requires strong self-discipline and time management skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of this role is a key aspect, offering flexibility. However, candidates should be prepared for potential occasional travel to a Visa office and understand the importance of proactive communication and self-management in a distributed team setting. The "Operations UI" focus means that understanding the operational workflows of clients is implicitly part of the work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications, focusing on educational background, any project experience, and demonstrated interest in backend technologies.
• Technical Assessment: This may involve a coding challenge (e.g., on platforms like HackerRank, LeetCode, or a take-home assignment) to evaluate fundamental programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and familiarity with Golang or similar languages.
• Technical Interview(s): Expect one or more interviews with engineers or team leads. These will delve into your understanding of backend principles, API design (REST/GraphQL), cloud concepts (AWS), and potentially Golang specifics. Behavioral questions assessing collaboration, problem-solving, and learning aptitude will also be included.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager to assess cultural fit, career aspirations, and overall suitability for the team and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Focus on 2-3 projects that best showcase your backend development skills, especially those involving APIs, Golang, or cloud services.
• Clear Documentation: Ensure each project has a well-written README explaining the project's purpose, the technologies used, how to run it, and any challenges faced.
• Code Quality: Highlight clean, well-structured, and commented code. If possible, demonstrate an understanding of testing and error handling.
• GitHub Profile: Maintain an active and organized GitHub profile. Link to your relevant projects from your resume.
• Explain Your Role: For group projects, clearly articulate your specific contributions and responsibilities.

Challenge Preparation:

• Coding Fundamentals: Brush up on data structures, algorithms, and general problem-solving techniques.
• Golang Basics: Familiarize yourself with Go syntax, concurrency primitives (goroutines, channels), and standard library packages.
• GraphQL Concepts: Understand GraphQL query structure, schema definition, and how it differs from REST.
• AWS Basics: Be familiar with core AWS services relevant to backend development (e.g., EC2, Lambda, S3, IAM).
• Behavioral Questions: Prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer questions about teamwork, problem-solving, and learning experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an entry-level role, the interview process emphasizes potential and foundational skills over extensive experience. A strong portfolio, even if academic or personal, is crucial for demonstrating practical ability. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their learning journey and enthusiasm for the specific technologies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Backend Language: Golang (Go) - primary language for service development.
• API Technologies: GraphQL (for UI-to-API communication), RESTful APIs (for inter-service communication).
• Cloud Platform: Amazon Web Services (AWS) - for hosting, scaling, and deploying services.
• Version Control: Git (likely GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket) - for code management and collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Monitoring & Observability: Tools like Datadog, Prometheus, Grafana, or AWS CloudWatch for tracking service performance, logs, and metrics.
• Logging: Centralized logging solutions (e.g., Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana - ELK stack, or AWS CloudWatch Logs).

CRM & Automation:

• CI/CD Tools: Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, or AWS CodePipeline for automating build, test, and deployment processes.
• Containerization: Potentially Docker for service packaging and local development environments. Kubernetes might be used for orchestration in production.
• Project Management: Tools like Jira or Asana for task tracking and workflow management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technologies for this role are Golang, GraphQL, and AWS. Proficiency or a demonstrated strong interest in these is key. Experience with CI/CD, Git, and monitoring tools are considered valuable additions that indicate a candidate's readiness for a modern development environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: Understanding that the Operations UI directly impacts client experience and operational efficiency.
• Engineering Excellence: Commitment to writing high-quality, reliable, and maintainable code.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing open communication, mutual support, and collective problem-solving.
• Continuous Learning: Encouraging curiosity, skill development, and staying updated with industry best practices and technologies.
• Innovation & Improvement: Fostering an environment where team members are encouraged to challenge existing systems and propose better solutions.
• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for tasks, features, and the overall success of the team's deliverables.

Collaboration Style:

• Remote-First Collaboration: Utilizing digital tools and structured communication channels to ensure effective interaction among geographically dispersed team members.
• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and honest feedback, active listening, and transparent information sharing.
• Pair Programming & Code Reviews: Engaging in collaborative coding and rigorous code reviews as standard practices for knowledge sharing and quality assurance.
• Cross-Functional Partnerships: Working closely with product managers, designers, and other engineering teams to ensure alignment and successful feature delivery.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: A culture of identifying potential issues early and working collaboratively to find solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of high-performance engineering standards with a supportive, collaborative environment, which is essential for a remote team. The "Operations UI" context means that understanding the practical needs of users managing financial operations is implicitly part of the team's mindset.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively contributing and staying connected within a distributed team requires strong communication and self-management skills.
• Learning Curve: Rapidly acquiring proficiency in Golang, GraphQL, and AWS within a complex FinTech environment can be demanding.
• System Complexity: Understanding and working with large-scale, interconnected financial systems and microservices.
• Balancing Innovation with Stability: Developing new features while ensuring the reliability and security of a critical operational platform.
• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Keeping pace with new developments in backend technologies and cloud computing.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Golang Training: Deepen expertise in Go's concurrency, performance tuning, and ecosystem.
• GraphQL Mastery: Become an expert in GraphQL schema design, query optimization, and advanced features.
• AWS Certifications: Pursue AWS certifications to validate cloud expertise.
• Microservices Architecture: Gain hands-on experience designing, building, and deploying microservices.
• FinTech Domain Expertise: Develop a deep understanding of payment processing, card issuing, and financial regulations.
• Mentorship Programs: Benefit from guidance and support from experienced senior engineers.
• Conferences & Workshops: Opportunities to attend industry events to learn about new trends and network with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for an entry-level role in a dynamic tech field, particularly in FinTech. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a clear path for technical and professional development within a leading global company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Technical Depth: Be ready to explain core backend concepts like stateless applications, API authentication/authorization, data modeling, and asynchronous processing.
• Golang Specifics: Prepare to discuss Go's concurrency model (goroutines, channels), error handling, and differences compared to other languages.
• GraphQL vs. REST: Articulate the advantages and disadvantages of each, and when to use them. Discuss schema design principles.
• AWS Services: Be familiar with the purpose of key AWS services relevant to web applications (EC2, Lambda, RDS, S3).
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Practice thinking through how you would design a simple API, debug a performance issue, or implement a specific feature.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Research Visa/Pismo: Understand their mission, products, and recent developments (especially the acquisition).
• Motivation for FinTech: Explain why you are interested in working in the financial technology sector.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others, handled disagreements, or contributed to a team project.
• Learning Aptitude: Be ready to discuss how you approach learning new technologies and how you stay updated.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a compelling story: what problem did you solve? Why did you choose specific technologies? What was the outcome?
• Code Walkthrough: Be prepared to share your screen and walk through a key piece of code, explaining your design choices and logic.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., "improved performance by X%", "handled Y requests per second").
• Highlight Learning: Emphasize what you learned from the project, especially if it involved overcoming challenges or learning a new technology.
• Conciseness: Keep your presentation focused and to the point, respecting the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only technical aptitude but also a candidate's potential, learning ability, and cultural fit. A strong portfolio presentation that showcases passion and practical application is key for an entry-level candidate.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations technology position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the SmartRecruiters platform.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight any backend development experience, projects involving Golang, GraphQL, or cloud technologies (AWS). Emphasize academic achievements, internships, and personal coding projects that showcase your skills and enthusiasm. Use keywords from the job description.
• Portfolio Preparation: If you have a GitHub profile or personal website, ensure it's up-to-date and showcases relevant projects. Prepare a concise summary of your key projects, focusing on your role, the technologies used, and the outcomes.
• Technical Practice: Refresh your knowledge of fundamental backend concepts, Golang syntax, GraphQL basics, and common AWS services. Practice coding problems and prepare to discuss your thought process.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Visa's acquisition of Pismo, their core offerings in financial technology, and their commitment to innovation. Understand the company's values and culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.