Lead Software Engineer

Summary

Join Kafene, a leading point-of-sale financing partner, as a Lead Software Engineer. You will be a highly skilled full-stack developer contributing to the codebase, influencing architectural decisions, and driving high-impact initiatives. Collaborate with US and European teams, mentor junior engineers, and shape engineering practices. This role requires 10+ years of full-stack experience with Node.js, TypeScript, and Vue. The position offers remote work flexibility with a preference for NYC-based candidates and a competitive salary ($150,000-$190,000). Kafene values a dynamic workplace culture and offers comprehensive benefits.

Requirements

• 10+ years of full-stack experience with Node.js , TypeScript, and Vue
• Experience working on complex backend systems and with RESTful APIs
• A strategic mindset with the ability to advocate for impactful engineering work
• An ability to break down large solutions into smaller working MVPs focused on moving fast, learning quickly, and driving value every release
• Strong communication skills with the confidence to speak up and engage with business stakeholders
• Able to work with distributed teams across time zones, overlapping with EST and some European hours, and participate in on-call support
• Experience with agile methodologies and continuous delivery practices

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver critical features and services across the stack (TypeScript, Node.js, Vue)
• Lead technical decision-making and architecture improvements to support business growth and scalability
• Collaborate daily with offshore developers—reviewing code, unblocking teammates, and providing technical guidance
• Provide on-call coverage to ensure system reliability and fast response times
• Champion agile practices, continuous delivery, and strong testing practices
• Identify and advocate for technical priorities to increase team velocity and product quality
• Partner with product and business stakeholders to shape technical solutions aligned with business goals
• Drive a culture of excellence by modeling proactive communication, ownership, and accountability
• Serve as an advocate for the broader engineering team—amplifying their voices, surfacing feedback, and ensuring their perspectives help shape technical and product decisions

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience scaling systems for high-growth or consumer-facing products
• Prior experience at a start-up or in the Fintech space
• Interest in growing into a formal leadership role

Benefits

• Base Salary: Earn a competitive base salary ranging from $150,000 to $190,000
• Healthcare: We prioritize your well-being by covering 80% of medical, dental, and vision insurance costs, including coverage for your spouse, children, and other dependents
• Retirement Benefits: Begin planning for your future from day one with our 401k plan
• Paid Time Off: We understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer flexible paid time off days starting from day one of your employment