At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build world-class APIs for the travel industry, shaping the future of travel.
- Company: Join a dynamic startup backed by top investors, revolutionising travel technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, remote work, private healthcare, and generous sabbatical programme.
- Other info: Exciting growth opportunities in a vibrant Shoreditch office with regular team socials.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on millions of travel bookings and influence key technical decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience in API design, strong problem-solving skills, and a collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Create the Future of Travel With Us
Whether it's visiting the people closest to us, starting an exciting adventure, or a career-defining business trip, travel is essential. Yet we've all experienced the aches and pains of getting to our destination. More than 4 billion airline passengers rely on technology that hasn't kept up with modern expectations. That's why we're rebuilding the infrastructure that underpins the travel industry - simplifying systems and building tools that will make the future of travel effortless.
We were part of Y Combinator S18's cohort and we're backed by Benchmark, Blossom, Index Ventures, and Kima Ventures - a fantastic set of investors that has helped build some of the world's largest companies.
Our London team is growing, and we're looking for a Senior Engineer to help shape both the product and the team building it.
Engineering at Duffel
We're building tools to simplify travel distribution, search, and booking through one seamless API. The technical challenge? Design a world class API, then integrate it with a vast number of travel providers - each with different systems and requirements - whilst delivering a fantastic developer experience. We work with Elixir, Phoenix, Kubernetes, and Google Cloud Platform, but we value strong engineering fundamentals over specific tech experience.
As a Senior Engineer, you won't just execute against a spec - you'll help define what gets built and how. You'll take on ambiguous problems, shape technical decisions across teams, and set a bar for quality that others follow.
You’ll Thrive Here If:
- You've designed and shipped APIs at scale, and have a clear point of view on what makes a great one
- You can take a loosely-defined problem and turn it into a clear technical plan, working independently - weighing technical rigour against business impact along the way
- You think in systems: you can trace how a decision in one part of the stack ripples into others, and design with those knock-on effects in mind
- You want to keep writing production code as a senior engineer, not move away from it - this role is hands-on for the long run, not just at the start
- You've mentored engineers or helped them do their best work, and take real satisfaction in others reaching the bar you hold yourself to
- You communicate clearly, articulating what you're working on, why, and the reasoning behind your tradeoffs, in a structured way, to a variety of internal and external stakeholders
- You thrive collaboratively - you believe in your methods but stay open to feedback and suggestions, and know when to stand by your approach and when to compromise
Bonus: Experience in travel, flights, hotels, or cars
What You'll Get:
- Competitive salary + equity (you'll own part of Duffel)
- Work from anywhere policy
- Private Healthcare
- Duffel travel allowance (use what we build)
- Matched Family leave
- Sabbatical programme (3 months full pay)
- Office in Shoreditch + regular team socials
Why Now Matters
You'll work on the core API powering millions of travel bookings, with real influence over its direction. Early-stage role = outsized impact on how we build and scale, and a seat at the table for the technical decisions that will define the next phase.
Senior Engineer in London employer: Duffel
At Duffel, we are not just redefining travel technology; we are creating a vibrant work culture that values innovation and collaboration. As a Senior Engineer in our London team, you will enjoy a competitive salary, equity options, and a flexible work-from-anywhere policy, alongside unique benefits like a sabbatical programme and a travel allowance to experience the very tools you help build. Join us in shaping the future of travel while growing your career in an environment that prioritises mentorship and technical excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Engineer in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Duffel or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Duffel.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Duffel.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Duffel that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Duffel.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Duffel and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Duffel
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Duffel uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
