At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build scalable APIs for global travel search and booking.
- Company: Join Duffel, a leading travel tech company transforming the industry.
- Benefits: Visa sponsorship, competitive salary, equity, and hybrid working model.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global travel technology with innovative solutions.
- Qualifications: Strong backend experience, API design skills, and collaborative mindset.
- Other info: Exciting career growth in a dynamic, international environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Duffel, one of Europe’s most exciting travel technology companies, is hiring a Senior Software Engineer in London, United Kingdom, for 2026, with Skilled Worker visa sponsorship available for qualified international candidates. This is a rare opportunity to join a fast-growing, venture-backed company that is rebuilding the core infrastructure of the global travel industry and powering millions of bookings through a single, modern API.
Based in London with a hybrid working model, this role is ideal for experienced engineers who want to work on globally impactful systems, solve complex integration problems at scale, and help define the technical standards of a high-growth product company. You will be working on mission-critical systems used by travel companies worldwide while enjoying the stability, benefits, and long-term career growth that come with a well-funded, product-led technology firm.
About the RoleAs a Senior Software Engineer at Duffel, you will play a key role in designing, building, and scaling the core APIs and backend systems that connect hundreds of airlines and travel providers into a single unified platform. The work focuses on building elegant, reliable, and developer-friendly systems in a highly distributed and complex ecosystem.
While Duffel’s stack includes Elixir, Phoenix, Kubernetes, and Google Cloud, the company prioritises strong engineering fundamentals, system design skills, and product thinking over specific language experience. This is a high-impact role with real influence over architecture, standards, and long-term technical direction.
About the Hiring FirmDuffel is a Y Combinator-backed travel technology company supported by leading investors, including Benchmark, Blossom, Index Ventures, and Kima Ventures. The company is on a mission to modernise global travel distribution and eliminate the complexity behind flight and travel bookings. Headquartered in London, Duffel serves customers worldwide and offers a highly international, product-focused, and engineering-driven culture. The company actively supports international hires through UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship and relocation support.
Responsibilities- Design, build, and maintain scalable APIs that power global travel search and booking
- Develop robust backend systems integrating with hundreds of external travel providers
- Improve reliability, performance, and developer experience of Duffel’s core platform
- Contribute to architectural decisions and long-term technical strategy
- Write high-quality, maintainable, and well-tested production code
- Collaborate closely with product, design, and other engineers to deliver impactful features
- Help define engineering standards, best practices, and development processes
- Participate in code reviews, technical discussions, and system design sessions
- Strong experience as a Software Engineer working on backend or platform systems
- Proven ability to design and maintain APIs and distributed systems
- Excellent software engineering fundamentals and code quality standards
- Experience working with cloud infrastructure and modern deployment practices
- Strong communication skills and ability to work in collaborative product teams
- Product-minded approach and ability to balance technical and business priorities
- Experience with high-scale or integration-heavy systems is a strong advantage
- Eligible for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship
This is a standout Senior Software Engineer job in the UK in 2026 with visa sponsorship, offering international candidates the chance to work on globally impactful technology, earn equity, and build a long-term career in one of Europe’s most ambitious travel tech companies. For engineers seeking scale, ownership, and real-world impact, Duffel represents an exceptional opportunity.
Senior Software Engineer Job in UK 2026 | Duffel employer: NewsNowGh
Contact Detail:
NewsNowGh Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer Job in UK 2026 | Duffel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Duffel employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the technical interview by brushing up on your system design skills. Think about how you would approach building scalable APIs and backend systems, as that’s what Duffel is all about!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for travel tech! When you get the chance, share your thoughts on how technology can improve the travel experience. It’ll show you’re not just a coder, but someone who cares about the industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people at Duffel. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer Job in UK 2026 | Duffel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Software Engineer role at Duffel. Highlight your experience with APIs, backend systems, and any relevant technologies like Elixir or Kubernetes. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for travel tech and how you can contribute to our mission at Duffel. Be sure to mention specific projects or experiences that showcase your problem-solving skills and product mindset.
Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on any notable projects, especially those involving scalable systems or cloud infrastructure, make sure to include them. We love seeing real-world examples of your work and how you've tackled complex challenges in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in joining the Duffel team!
How to prepare for a job interview at NewsNowGh
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Familiarise yourself with the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Elixir, Phoenix, Kubernetes, and Google Cloud. Even if you haven't worked with them directly, understanding their principles and how they fit into backend systems will show your enthusiasm and readiness to learn.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of complex integration problems you've solved in the past. Be ready to discuss your thought process and the impact of your solutions. Duffel is looking for engineers who can tackle challenges at scale, so demonstrating your analytical skills will be key.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with product, design, and other engineers, highlight your experience in collaborative environments. Share specific instances where teamwork led to successful project outcomes, showcasing your strong communication skills.
✨Understand the Business Impact
Be prepared to discuss how your technical decisions can affect business outcomes. Duffel values a product-minded approach, so think about how your work contributes to user experience and overall company goals. This will demonstrate that you can balance technical and business priorities effectively.