Staff Software Engineer - AI-First Travel Platform

Engine; United States; Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Hybrid-remote options

Job summary

Engine is an AI-native platform transforming travel through scalable software and AI-driven agents. As Staff Software Engineer, you will design and implement scalable systems, APIs, and harnesses for agentic workflows, while mentoring engineers and leading high-impact initiatives that improve performance and reliability across the platform.

You will work with Node.js/TypeScript/Kotlin/React on AWS in a hybrid environment, collaborating with Product and Data Science to deliver seamless customer

Qualifications

• 8+ years in designing, implementing, and maintaining distributed systems.
• Experience building public-facing APIs and managing versioning, deprecation, and rate limiting.
• Proficiency with modern backend languages and API design principles.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement scalable software systems and APIs with a focus on performance, security, and reliability.
• Mentor mid-to-senior engineers and lead initiatives to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with Product and Data Science to deliver seamless experiences for customers.

Skills

Distributed systems

API design

Cloud AWS

Tools

Node.js

TypeScript

Kotlin

React

AWS

Job description

Engine is the AI-native platform for intelligent travel. For a decade, Engine has built the proprietary technology and supply behind modern business travel, serving over 40,000 customers and nearly 2 million travelers, along with leading travel and AI companies that build on Engine's infrastructure. One system powers business travel, group travel, human agents, and AI agents.

That work has earned recognition as one of Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators (2025), TravelTech's Reservation Platform of the Year (2026), and one of Built In's Best Places to Work (2020–2026).

We're looking for bold, ambitious people to help redefine how businesses manage and experience travel. Working here, you can expect exponential growth, an ambitious pace, full ownership, and high-caliber colleagues who push you to do the best work of your career. Every hire raises the bar.

Come outpace the ordinary and build the future of travel with us.

As a Staff Software Engineer at Engine, you’ll play a vital role in an environment where innovation meets collaboration. Here’s what you’ll take charge of:

• Design and Implement: Drive System Design output across the team, craft innovative software systems and APIs that contribute to the success of Engine’s mission, focusing on scalability, security, and performance.
• AI First Mindset: Deep agentic experience (Claude Code, Cursor, or comparable) tools; not just daily use, but in depth understanding of agentic workflows, how to build a harness, how to structure a codebase for agents, etc.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product and Data Science, to unlock new opportunities and deliver seamless experiences for our customers.
• Leadership: Mentor mid-to-senior level engineers, and lead efforts to ensure the quality, scalability, and robustness of our software.
• Ownership: Lead key initiatives that improve efficiency, enhance system performance, and drive customer satisfaction.
  
  

What You’ll Bring to Engine:

We’re looking for someone who’s ready to make an impact and grow alongside us:

• Experience: 8+ years of hands-on experience in designing, implementing, and maintaining highly available and high-performing distributed systems. You have a proven track record of building public-facing (consumer-grade) APIs and managing the complexities of versioning, deprecation, and consumption-based rate limiting.
• Tech Stack: Node.js, TypeScript, Kotlin (or similar modern backend languages), React, and AWS
• Skills: You’re a problem-solver with a strong grasp of software design principles, scalability, and system architecture. You thrive in fast-paced, innovative environments and prioritize Domain-Driven Design.
• AI-first as a daily practice, not a talking point. You are actively using agentic coding tools (Claude Code, Cursor, or comparable) and you have a point of view on where they help, where they hurt, and how to set the team's defaults.

We accept applications for this role on an ongoing basis. We review applications as they are received and encourage interested candidates to apply early.

Compensation
Our compensation packages are based on several factors, including your experience, expertise, and location. In addition to a competitive base salary, all roles receive equity. Depending on the role, total compensation may also include an annual bonus. Your recruiter will share your complete compensation package as you move through the process.

Base Pay Range

$200,000 - $245,000 USD

The Engine Edge: Perks & Compensation
We believe in rewarding great work with great benefits:

• Compensation: Competitive base pay tied to role and experience, with equity for all employees. Some roles are also eligible for bonuses or commissions.
• Environments for Success: Different roles have different needs in terms of the environments that drive success which is why we have a hybrid-hub model. Whether you are in one of our amazing offices or fully remote, we'll make sure you have what you need to succeed.

Perks and benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and more

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Engine? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Education

School Select...

Degree Select...

LinkedIn Profile

What are your salary expectations? *

Are you legally authorized to work in the country where this position is based? * Select...

Would you, now or in the future, require immigration sponsorship for work authorization? * Select...

If you’ll require Engine to commence, i.e., “sponsor,” an immigration or work permit case in order to employ you, either now or at some point in the future, then you should answer yes. An example of an immigration or work permit case that may require sponsorship now or in the future would be an H-1B or other employment-based work permit sponsorship.

I certify that all information provided in this employment application is true and complete. I understand that any false information or omission may disqualify me from further consideration for employment and may result in my dismissal if discovered at a later date. I understand that this application, verbal statements by management, or subsequent employment does not create an express or implied contract of employment nor guarantee employment for any definite period of time. If employed, I understand that I have been hired at the will of the employer and my employment may be terminated at any time, with or without reason and with or without notice. I have read, understand, and give my consent to these statements. * Select...