Senior Backend Software Engineer, Flights

Traveltechessentialist; New York (NY); On-site; USD 113,000 - 252,000; Full time

Job summary

Navan seeks a Senior Software Engineer in the Flights group to build and scale the next-generation flight platform, Navan’s flagship product that drives global business growth. You will own end-to-end features, collaborating with engineers, PMs, designers, and business leaders across the globe to deliver high-quality solutions at scale.

You will contribute to a culture of technical excellence, focusing on code quality, monitoring, and testing while growing professionally in a fast-paced,

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience building and scaling complex systems in fast-paced, high-growth, or large-scale environments
• Hands-on experience developing and maintaining consumer-facing or core business products at scale
• Proficiency in Java and Spring Boot, with solid understanding of JVM performance and optimization
• Strong experience with distributed systems, micro-services, and API design, including practical expertise with AWS or other cloud platforms
• Ownership mentality with a record of delivering production-quality, maintainable code, and supporting features post-release through monitoring and troubleshooting
• Collaborative team player able to work effectively with global, cross-functional partners
• Commitment to engineering best practices in testing, documentation, scalability, and code quality
• Problem-solving mindset with a passion for tackling technically demanding and customer-impacting challenges
• Domain knowledge in the travel industry (flights, bookings, or inventory management) is a strong plus
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience

Responsibilities

• Build at scale: Design and develop robust, high-performance features and core services
• Solve complex problems addressing large-scale engineering challenges
• Deliver customer-facing solutions with end-to-end ownership from design to operation
• Collaborate across teams with engineers, PMs, designers, and leaders
• Contribute to engineering culture with best practices in testing, monitoring, and documentation
• Learn and grow by staying updated on new technologies and industry trends

Skills

Java

Spring Boot

JVM performance

Distributed systems

Microservices

API design

AWS

Ownership mindset

Code quality

Testing

Collaboration

Problem solving

Travel domain

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS/Engineering

Tools

AWS

Job description

Navan has transformed the corporate travel, payment, and expense landscape by consistently prioritizing user needs. As a Senior software Engineer in the Flights group, you’ll play an essential part in building and scaling the next-generation flight platform, Navan’s flagship product that drives global business growth. This is a high-scale, complex environment where your work will impact customers worldwide. You’ll solve challenging problems, collaborate with engineers, product managers, and designers across the globe, and contribute to a platform trusted by major enterprises.

What You’ll Do:

• Build at Scale: Design and develop robust, high-performance features and core services that support the company’s flagship product and serve a global customer base.
• Solve Complex Problems: Apply deep technical expertise and creativity to address large-scale engineering challenges, driving improvements in reliability, performance, and user experience.
• Deliver Customer-Facing Solutions: Take end-to-end ownership of features—from design and development to deployment and operational support—ensuring exceptional quality and value for users.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Work effectively as part of a global, cross-functional team, partnering with fellow engineers, product managers, designers, and business leaders to deliver impactful solutions and elevate team performance.
• Contribute to Engineering Culture: Champion best practices in code quality, scalability, documentation, monitoring, and testing, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Learn and Grow: Stay engaged with new technologies and industry trends, bringing a growth mindset and a passion for delivering elegant solutions to complex problems.

What We're Looking For:

• 6+ years of experience building and scaling complex systems in fast-paced, high-growth, or large-scale environments (open to exceptional candidates with less experience)
• Hands-on experience developing and maintaining consumer-facing or core business products at scale
• Proficiency in Java and Spring Boot, with solid understanding of JVM performance and optimization
• Strong experience with distributed systems, micro-services, and API design, including practical expertise with AWS or other cloud platforms
• Ownership mentality with a record of delivering production-quality, maintainable code, and supporting features post-release through monitoring and troubleshooting
• Collaborative team player able to work effectively with global, cross-functional partners
• Commitment to engineering best practices in testing, documentation, scalability, and code quality
• Problem-solving mindset with a passion for tackling technically demanding and customer-impacting challenges
• Domain knowledge in the travel industry (flights, bookings, or inventory management) is a strong plus
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience

Pay Range

The posted pay range represents the anticipated low and high end of the compensation for this position and is subject to change based on business need. To determine a successful candidate’s starting pay, we carefully consider a variety of factors, including primary work location, an evaluation of the candidate’s skills and experience, market demands, and internal parity. For roles with on-target-earnings (OTE), the pay range includes both base salary and target incentive compensation. Target incentive compensation for some roles may include a ramping draw period. Compensation is higher for those who exceed targets.

$113,400 — $252,000 USD

About Navan

Navan (Nasdaq: NAVN) is the leading all-in-one business travel, payments, and expense management platform that makes travel easy for frequent travelers. From finding flights and hotels to automating expense reconciliation, with 24/7 support along the way, Navan delivers an intuitive experience travelers love and finance teams rely on. See how Navan customers benefit and learn more at navan.com.

Culture of Excellence

Our team is our competitive edge — a high-performance group of smart, driven people committed to winning together. This dedication to excellence is why we’ve been recognized as a Best Place to Work by Built In (2023-2026), a G2 Best Global Software Company (2025-2026), a CNBC Disruptor 50 (2022-2025), and a Forbes Fintech 50 (2022-2025). At Navan, we provide an environment where top talent excels, offering the autonomy and fast-paced trajectory needed to build a defining career and do the best work of your life.

Our Benefits

Navan offers a comprehensive benefits program designed to support your well-being, financial security, and life outside of work. Our benefits, thoughtfully tailored by country to meet local needs, include healthcare coverage, insurance offerings, and wellness resources for you and your family.

We support long-term financial growth through retirement savings programs and opportunities to participate in our equity plans, so you can share in Navan’s success. To promote balance, we offer flexible time off, country-specific holidays, and paid parental leave for all new parents. Additional benefits include connectivity and commuting support, mental health resources, and exclusive travel-related perks. Wherever you’re based, our benefits evolve with you.

Workplace Policy

Navan believes in the value of in-person connections, whether that’s sitting down to have lunch with one another, taking a walking 1:1, or collaborating in a room together. The connections forged through face-to-face interactions improve company culture and drive business results. Navan invests in global office spaces — in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, among others — that feel welcoming. In-office perks such as company-provided lunches and happy hours create a strong team environment to help you do your best work. Our employees work from the office four days a week. Please expect this policy for all roles that are tied to an office.

Equal Opportunity

Navan is an equal opportunity employer. We make all employment decisions based solely on merit. We provide equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without discrimination on the bases of race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We prohibit any such discrimination or harassment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring.

Accommodations

Navan complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local law. Navan will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability in connection with applications for employment as required by law.

If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, you are welcome to email us at [e-mail].

Candidate Privacy Notice

Please review Navan's Candidate Privacy Notice here.

*Applies to select locations.