A senior software engineer plays a critical role in designing, developing, and maintaining complex software systems while providing technical leadership within a team. Their primary purpose is to architect scalable and efficient solutions, ensuring that software meets both functional and non-functional requirements such as performance, security, and maintainability.

As Senior Software Engineer you will be responsible for writing high-quality, scalable, and efficient code, ensuring that software meets business and technical requirements. In this role, you will review and optimize existing code, conduct thorough testing, and troubleshoot complex issues to improve system performance and reliability. You are a strong communicator who is able to foster a culture of continuous learning and best practices in coding, architecture, and software development methodologies. You are a natural connector who can easily build relationships with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and quality assurance professionals, to align technical solutions with business objectives. You are a self-starter, who can work independently to proactively identify business needs, contribute to architectural decisions, evaluate new technologies, and drive innovation within the organization.

Projects you may be working on in this position include: 

• You’ll be joining a team working at the intersection of innovation and reinvention. We’ve built beloved products and now we’re setting our sights on bold new horizons — including building a premium SMB product from the ground up. This is a greenfield opportunity to shape what’s next: from reimagining historic lending experiences to applying LLMs and AI for smart email processing, automation, and virtual advice for small businesses.

• This team has a true product mindset — you as an owner who thrives in ambiguity, wears multiple hats, and is ready to make an outsized impact. In a lean environment like ours, everyone influences the outcome, and your work will directly shape the future of how we serve and empower SMBs.

Where you can make an impact: 

• Drive strategic initiatives that directly influence our vertical's growth and enhance NerdWallet's position as a trusted financial guidance platform

• Collaborate with a high-performing team of experts who are passionate about empowering consumers to make smarter financial decisions

• Identify innovative solutions to diverse business challenges that require both analytical thinking and creative problem-solving

• Contribute to building sustainable processes that scale with NerdWallet's ambitious growth plans

• Make meaningful connections with stakeholders across the organization to ensure alignment and maximize our impact on consumers' financial lives

• Be part of shaping the future direction of a critical business unit within NerdWallet

Your experience:

We recognize not everyone will meet all of the criteria. If you meet most of the criteria below and you’re excited about the opportunity and willing to learn, we’d love to hear from you.

• Minimum of 4+ years in software engineering, with a strong background in backend development

• Programming Languages – Proficiency in languages like Ruby, JavaScript, or others based on the stack.

• Software Development – Strong understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) and methodologies (Agile, Scrum, DevOps).

• System Design & Architecture – Architect Ruby (or other) applications with clean separation of concerns

• Databases – Knowledge of SQL (PostgreSQL, MySQL) databases.

• Cloud Platforms – Experience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud for deploying and managing applications.

• Familiarity with RESTful APIs, GraphQL, and MVC architecture.

• DevOps & CI/CD – Experience with automation tools (Docker, CircleCi, GitHub Actions).

• Testing & Debugging – Proficiency in unit testing, integration testing, and debugging tools.

• Security Best Practices – Awareness of security principles, authentication, and authorization techniques.

• Version Control – Proficiency with Git and workflows like GitFlow.

• Experience in consumer credit, lending, loans, or insurance.

• Familiarity with Ruby and Ruby on Rails

Where:

• This role will be remote (based in the U.S.).

• We believe great work can be done anywhere. No matter where you are based, NerdWallet offers benefits and perks to support the physical, financial, and emotional well being of you and your family.

What we offer:

Work Hard, Stay Balanced (Life’s a series of balancing acts, eh?)

• Industry-leading medical, dental, and vision health care plans for employees and their dependents

• Rejuvenation Policy – Vacation Time Off + 11 holidays + 4 Mental Health Days Off

• New Parent Leave for employees with a newborn child or a child placed with them for adoption or foster care

• Mental health support

• Paid sabbatical for Nerds to recharge, gain knowledge and pursue their interests

• Health and Dependent Care FSA and HSA Plan with monthly NerdWallet contribution

• Monthly Wellness Stipend, Cell Phone Stipend, and Wifi Stipend 

• Work from home equipment stipend and co-working space subsidy

Have Some Fun! (Nerds are fun, too)

• Nerd-led group initiatives – Employee Resource Groups for Parents, Diversity, and Inclusion, Women, LGBTQIA, and other communities

• Hackathons and team events across all teams and departments

• Company-wide events like NerdLove (employee appreciation) and our annual Charity Auction 

• Our Nerds love to make an impact by paying it forward – Take 8 hours of volunteer time off per quarter and donate to your favorite causes with a company match

Plan for your future (And when you retire on your island, remember the little people)

• 401K with company match

• Be the first to test and benefit from our new financial products and tools

• Financial wellness, guidance, and unlimited access to a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) through Northstar

• Disability and Life Insurance with employer-paid premiums

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here.

NerdWallet is committed to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, so all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.  

NerdWallet will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act and the San Francisco Fair Chance Act, which requires this notice, as well as the Los Angeles Fair Chance Act, which requires this notice.

NerdWallet participates in the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services E-Verify program for all US locations. For more information, please see:

• E-Verify Participation Poster (English+Spanish/Español)

• Right to Work Poster (English) / (Spanish/Español) 

#LI-Remote

#LI-4

#LI-DNP