At NerdWallet, we’re on a mission to bring clarity to all of life’s financial decisions and every great mission needs a team of exceptional Nerds. We’ve built an inclusive, flexible, and candid culture where you’re empowered to grow, take smart risks, and be unapologetically yourself (cape optional). Whether remote or in-office, we support how you thrive best. We invest in your well-being, development, and ability to make an impact because when one Nerd levels up, we all do.
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. This is a Full-Stack role.
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.
This role reports to the Sr. Director, Product, Design, and Technology.
Where you can make an impact:As a key member of our team, you will help strengthen and grow one of the top-performing verticals at Nerdwallet. Your contributions will be meaningful and visible as you:
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
Minimum of 4 years in software engineering, with a strong background in full-stack development.
Technical Skills:
Programming Languages – Proficiency in languages like Ruby (on Rails), JavaScript (React), and similar languages/frameworks.
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 (e.g. 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in consumer credit, lending, loans, or insurance.
Familiarity with Ruby on Rails and React.
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.
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 – 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 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 (Only remote Nerds are eligible for the Wifi Stipend)
Work from home equipment stipend and co-working space subsidy (Only remote Nerds are eligible for these stipends)
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 4% 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-5
Top Skills
What We Do
At NerdWallet, we’re on a mission to provide clarity for all of life’s financial decisions. Every day, we help people find the right credit cards and mortgage rates, refinance their student loans, track their spending and so much more. We're proud to say that millions of people turn to Nerds for our objective advice, expert info, and helpful tools.
Speaking of Nerds — we're a passionate, mission-driven bunch. We know what's best for our business means doing what’s best for our consumers, and we foster professional growth while striking this balance. We work collaboratively and empathetically, guided by our company values: Hypothesize, Build, Measure, Learn; Drivers Before Solutions; Consumer, Company, Team, Self; Candid and Constructive; and Relentless Self-Improvement.
In 2019, Inc. included NerdWallet on its list of the Best Workplaces, and the San Francisco Business Times listed us as one of the 50 Greater Bay Area Financial Tech Companies. Beyond generous compensation packages, we also provide a range of benefits, including top-notch health, dental, and vision insurance; commuter and gym stipends; great PTO and both maternity and paternity leave; and catered breakfasts and lunches in our beautiful San Francisco office.
In 2020, NerdWallet expanded internationally. UK-based Know Your Money joined the NerdWallet family. Together, we aspire to provide the most comprehensive financial comparison website in the UK, while continuing to provide clarity for all of life’s financial decisions.
