Staff Software Engineer, CKD

NerdWallet

. Lead the technical direction and architecture for NerdWallet financial guidance integrations with third-party AI assistants .

Posted 10/13/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $152,000 - $282,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in architecting complex backend systems and leading technical direction for AI integrations, with a strong focus on security, compliance, and engineering best practices. Proficient in mentoring teams and establishing standards for production code and system performance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

8+ Years In Software EngineeringDeep Hands-On Experience With LLMsAdvanced Knowledge Of TypeScript StackExperience Designing APIs And Shared ServicesStrong Understanding Of Authentication Patterns

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Production Backend SystemsArchitecting Complex SystemsBuilding On Third-Party PlatformsDesigning APIsVersioning And Backward CompatibilityTool Use/Function CallingPrompt And Context DesignRetrieval (RAG)Automated EvaluationsEnd-To-End Testing

Soft Skills

Strong Communication SkillsMentoring EngineersLeading Teams Through Technical Problems

Tools & Technologies

Node.jsReactGraphQLPostgresRedisAWSCI/CDContainerization

Industry Keywords

Financial ComplianceSecurity Best PracticesOAuthAI Assistant PlatformsRegulated Industries

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AWSGraphQLJavaScriptNode.jsPostgresReactRedisTypeScript

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the technical direction and architecture for NerdWallet financial guidance integrations with third-party AI assistants
Architect how guidance is packaged, exposed, and rendered, including tool and protocol design and in-conversation UI
Write production code for new integrations and prototype emerging platform capabilities
Define reusable abstractions, contracts, and patterns across multiple AI platforms
Track changing platform protocols, SDKs, review processes, and policies and incorporate them into roadmaps and architecture
Define evaluation and testing strategies, including automated evaluations, regression suites, and end-to-end tests
Partner with Security, Legal, and Compliance on authentication, consent, sensitive data, and financial compliance
Set standards for monitoring, latency, cost, and incident response and help resolve production issues
Lead design reviews, establish coding and architecture standards, and conduct code reviews
Mentor engineers across FTE and contractor teams
Partner with Engineering Managers and Product Managers on priorities, effort, risk, and technical investments
Analyze usage and performance data to guide integration decisions
Report to the Director, Engineering

Requirements

What you’ll need

8+ years in software engineering
At least 3+ years at the Staff level
Deep hands-on experience building and operating production backend systems
Track record of architecting complex systems end to end
Experience leading teams through difficult technical problems
Experience establishing engineering best practices and mentoring engineers
Hands-on production experience with LLMs, including tool use/function calling, MCP or similar protocols, prompt and context design, retrieval (RAG), evals, and non-deterministic output
Advanced knowledge of a modern TypeScript stack, such as Node.js, React, GraphQL, Postgres, and Redis
Ability to evaluate unfamiliar codebases, SDKs, and vendor tools
Experience designing APIs and shared services, including versioning and backward compatibility
Experience building on third-party platforms or ecosystems with external constraints and review processes
Strong understanding of authentication and authorization patterns, such as OAuth
Security best practices for handling sensitive data
Comfort with early-stage, zero-to-one work
Strong communication skills for explaining AI system behavior, tradeoffs, and risk
Preferred: experience building apps, connectors, or agents for major AI assistant platforms
Preferred: experience shipping AI features in regulated industries
Preferred: experience with AWS, CI/CD, containerization, and LLM observability
Preferred: experience mentoring blended FTE and vendor/contractor teams

Benefits

Comp & perks

Industry-leading medical, dental, and vision health care plans for employees and their dependents
Rejuvenation Policy – Flexible Vacation Time Off + 11 holidays + holiday company shutdown
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 after 5 years
Health and Dependent Care FSA and HSA Plan with monthly NerdWallet contribution
Monthly Wellness Stipend
Cell Phone Stipend
Wifi Stipend for remote Nerds
Work from home equipment stipend for remote Nerds
Co-working space subsidy for remote Nerds
Employee Resource Groups
Hackathons and team events
Company-wide events
8 hours of volunteer time off per quarter
Company match for charitable donations
401K with 4% company match
Early access to new financial products and tools
Financial wellness guidance and unlimited access to a Certified Financial Planner through Northstar
Disability and Life Insurance with employer-paid premiums
Equity offered