Sr. Software Engineer, Backend

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

Job summary

Navan is seeking a Senior Software Engineer (Backend) to drive the technical vision, architecture, and execution for Navan’s global travel and expense platform. You will architect core backend systems, lead cross-functional engineering projects, and ensure low-latency, highly available services across regions.

You will design microservices, APIs, and event-driven workflows, mentor engineers, and set technical standards while collaborating with product and data teams to deliver enterprise-grade

Qualifications

• 6+ years of software engineering experience building and operating highly scalable, distributed production systems at an enterprise or global scale.
• Deep technical expertise in backend stacks such as Java, TypeScript/Node.js, Python, or Go.
• Hands-on experience designing microservices, APIs, event-driven workflows, caching strategies, and distributed databases.

Responsibilities

• Architect Core Backend Systems: Design, build, and scale high-performance, fault-tolerant microservices that process millions of travel and expense transactions globally.
• Lead Technical Initiatives: Drive complex, cross-functional engineering projects from conception to deployment and set technical standards.
• Optimize Performance & Reliability: Build robust APIs, event-driven architectures, and scalable data pipelines with low latency and high availability.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner with product, data, and platform teams to translate business needs into enterprise-grade solutions.
• Raise the Engineering Bar: Mentor engineers, lead architecture reviews, and foster ownership across teams.

Skills

Java

TypeScript/Node.js

Python

Go

Microservices

APIs

Event-driven architectures

Kafka

RabbitMQ

Distributed databases

Observability

Mentoring

Leadership

Tools

Kafka

RabbitMQ

Databases

Caching strategies

Job description

Navan is building the next generation of intelligent travel experiences, where loyalty, personalization, and AI agents help travelers make better decisions before, during, and after every trip. As a Senior Software Engineer (Backend), you’ll drive the technical vision, architecture, and execution for the highly available, distributed services that form the backbone of Navan’s global travel and expense platform.

What You’ll Do

• Architect Core Backend Systems: Design, build, and scale high-performance, fault-tolerant microservices that process millions of travel and expense transactions globally.
• Lead Technical Initiatives: Drive complex, cross-functional engineering projects from conception to deployment, making critical architectural trade-offs and setting technical standards for the wider backend organization.
• Optimize Performance & Reliability: Build robust APIs, asynchronous event-driven architectures, and scalable data pipelines with a relentless focus on low latency, high availability, and operational excellence.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner closely with product management, engineering leadership, data, and platform teams to translate ambiguous business requirements into cohesive, enterprise-grade technical solutions.
• Raise the Engineering Bar: Champion maintainable code, thoughtful abstractions, and rigorous testing. Act as a force multiplier by mentoring engineers, leading architecture reviews, and fostering a culture of strong operational ownership.

What We’re Looking For

• 6+ years of software engineering experience building and operating highly scalable, distributed production systems at an enterprise or global scale.
• Deep technical expertise in backend engineering stacks such as Java, TypeScript/Node.js, Python, or Go, alongside a strong mastery of engineering fundamentals.
• Extensive hands-on experience designing microservices, complex APIs, event-driven workflows (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ), caching strategies, and distributed databases.
• Proven track record of driving technical vision and leading the architecture of large, multi-team projects from inception through to successful production rollouts.
• Exceptional skills in systems observability, production debugging, and ensuring the reliability of critical Tier 1 services.
• Product mindset with the ability to balance immediate product delivery with long-term technical health and scalability.
• Experience with travel platforms, fintech, payment processing, or complex financial ledgers is a strong plus.

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. Candidates may receive more information from the recruiter.

Pay Range: $113,400 USD - $252,000 USD

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