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Staff Backend Software Engineer

hopper

Remoto Ireland - Remote
Development

Job Score

100 pts
Remote model (+90) Development (+10)

About the job

Did you know Hopper's technology powers some of the largest travel portals in the world? Our Hopper Technology Solutions (HTS) platform drives travel purchases for major global brands — from banks to airlines to fintech leaders. This platform is a configurable, multi-tenant travel commerce engine, enabling partners to launch world-class hotel and travel booking experiences faster, with less custom engineering.

 

The platform is built. What comes next is growth — and that's what this team owns. We have 410M cardholders across our banking partners and we've barely scratched the surface. The work is about making partner cards genuinely more competitive: connecting cardholder behavior to the right offers at the right time, giving partners real insight into what drives incremental spend, and building the intelligence layer that compounds across the network as we scale. We're moving Commerce from a travel vendor to a strategic card partner — and the engineering work is what makes that real.

 

We're looking for a staff software engineer who builds great products and has figured out how to use AI to do it at a pace that wasn't possible a year ago. You're not using AI to auto-complete your code — you're orchestrating agents, building feedback loops, and shipping features end-to-end in a fraction of the time it used to take. You understand the strengths and weaknesses of LLMs, and you've developed the taste to know when to trust the output and when to intervene.

 

Tech stack

  • Backend: Scala, GCP services

  • Frontend: React + TypeScript

  • We value stack-agnostic thinking. If you've built great systems in Go, Python, Java, or anything else, and you pick things up fast — that's what matters.

What your day-to-day would look like

  • Identify and execute improvements to the codebase that make it easier for both humans and AI agents to move fast and ship safely.

  • Work with a group of senior engineers in a low-process environment powered by trust and autonomy.

  • Drive decisions and consensus asynchronously with thoughtful documentation and specs.

  • Own features end-to-end — from the backend systems to the partner-facing surface. You'll primarily work on the backend, but expect to use AI tooling to move across the stack as needed. We care that you can ship a complete feature, not that you can write production-grade React from memory.

  • Architect scalable solutions and foundational patterns that let us efficiently launch new partner experiences.

  • Work directly with PMs and business partners to define and refine our roadmap. Your voice and technical vision matter.

  • Collaborate with a diverse group of people, giving and receiving feedback for growth.

An ideal candidate has

  • A natural drive to fearlessly dive into an unknown codebase and deliver results fast.

  • Strong product thinking — your conception of quality and architecture is anchored in the customer experience, not in technical elegance for its own sake.

  • The ability to direct AI agents and automated workflows to build and maintain complex systems, and the judgment to know when to step in and when to let them run.

  • Experience designing the guardrails and feedback loops that keep AI-assisted development productive and reliable.

  • Experience with, or a mastery-level willingness to learn, distributed system development in Scala.

  • The ability to articulate not just how you'd solve a problem, but why, and what tradeoffs you're accepting.

Engagement Status: Independent Contractor

Note on Contractual Status 🇮🇪: This position is offered as an Independent Contractor engagement (Contract for Services) and does not constitute an offer of direct employment. The successful candidate will operate as a self-employed individual or through a Personal Service Company (PSC). You will be responsible for your own tax, PRSI, and VAT compliance in accordance with Irish Revenue Commissioners regulations. Engagement is contingent upon providing proof of valid business registration and appropriate professional indemnity insurance.

More about Hopper

At Hopper, we are on a mission to become the leading travel platform globally – powering Hopper’s mobile app, website and our B2B business, HTS (Hopper Technology Solutions). By leveraging massive amounts of data and advanced machine learning algorithms, Hopper combines its world-class travel agency offering with proprietary fintech products to bring transparency, flexibility and savings to travelers globally. We have developed several unique fintech solutions that address everything from pricing volatility to trip disruptions – helping people travel better and save more on their trips.

The Hopper platform serves hundreds of millions of travelers globally and continues to capture market share around the world. he Hopper app has been downloaded over 120 million times and has become largely popular among younger travelers – with 70% of its users being Gen Z and millennials.

While everyone knows us as the Gen Z and Millennial travel app, Hopper has evolved to become much more than that. In recent years, we’ve grown into a travel fintech provider, commerce platform, and global travel agency that powers some of the world’s largest brands.

Through HTS, our B2B division, the company supercharges its partners’ direct channels by integrating our fintech products on their sites or powering end-to-end travel portals. Today, our partners include leading travel brands like Capital One, Nubank, Air Canada, and many more.

Here are just a few stats that demonstrate the company’s recent growth:

Billions of dollars worth of travel and travel fintech are sold through Hopper and HTS’ channels every year.

Our fintech products – including Cancel for Any Reason and Flight Disruption Assistance – have exceptionally strong CSAT because the terms are always clear, and customers receive instant, no-questions-asked resolutions.

Almost 30% of our app customers purchase at least one fintech product when making a booking; and consumers are 1.6x more likely to repurchase if they add fintech to their booking vs if they booked just travel.

Given the success of its fintech products, Hopper launched a B2B initiative, HTS (Hopper Technology Solutions), which represents more than 75% of the business.

Through HTS, any travel provider (airlines, hotels, banks, travel agencies, etc.) can integrate and seamlessly distribute Hopper’s fintech or travel inventory on their direct channels. As its first HTS partnership, the company partnered with Capital One to co-develop Capital One Travel, a new travel portal designed specifically for cardholders. Other HTS partners include Air Canada, Uber, CommBank, Nubank, Flair Airlines and many more.

Hopper has been named the #1 most innovative company in travel by Fast Company Hopper has been downloaded over 120 million times and continues to have millions of new installs each month. Hopper is now the #3 largest online travel agencies in North America and 70% of our app customers are Gen-Z and millennials travelers.

Hopper has raised over $750 million USD of private capital and is backed by some of the largest institutional investors and banks in the world. HTS is primed to continue its growth as the leading travel ecommerce provider in a $1 trillion online shopping category. The Hopper app and website will also continue to be the preferred travel provider for Gen Z and Millennials..

Come take off with us!

This role utilizes automated decision-making systems to assess candidate suitability. Under local regulations, you have the right to understand the principal factors used in this assessment, request a correction of your data, or request a human review of any automated decision. To exercise these rights, please contact privacy@hopper.com.

#LI-REMOTE

About Software Development

Software Development is one of the most dynamic and constantly evolving fields in the job market. Professionals in this area are responsible for creating, maintaining, and optimizing web, mobile, and desktop applications that impact millions of users daily.

Key languages and frameworks include JavaScript (React, Node.js, Vue.js), Python (Django, Flask), Java (Spring), PHP (Laravel), and TypeScript. Demand for full-stack developers continues to grow, especially in tech companies and startups.

Salaries range from entry-level to senior positions, with growing opportunities for remote work and international freelancing.

Discover Other Areas

Understand the scope of work, key skills, and tools used in different career areas.

About Product Manager

The Product Manager (PM) is the professional responsible for defining the strategy, vision, and roadmap of a digital product. They work at the intersection of technology, business, and user experience (UX), leading the discovery and delivery of solutions that solve real problems in a viable way for the company.

Key skills include product discovery, data and metrics analysis (AARRR, NPS, LTV), user research, go-to-market strategy, roadmapping, strategic prioritization, and leadership by influence. Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Hotjar, Jira, and Notion are fundamental.

Product Managers play a central role in the growth of startups, scale-ups, and large technology companies, with career progression opportunities to Product Leader, Head of Product, and Chief Product Officer (CPO).

About Content

The Content and Social Media area is essential for building digital presence and audience engagement. Professionals create content strategies, manage social networks, and develop impactful brand narratives.

Key skills include copywriting, storytelling, community management, metrics analysis, audiovisual production, and knowledge of each platform algorithms.

With the growth of influencer marketing and social commerce, this area continues to generate new career opportunities.

About Web3

The Web3 area represents the new phase of the decentralized internet, built on blockchain technology. Web3 professionals create decentralized applications (dApps), interact with smart contracts, manage digital assets (cryptocurrencies and NFTs), and utilize DeFi (Decentralized Finance) protocols, revolutionizing how data, ownership, and finance are managed online.

About Project Management

Project Management is essential to ensure strategic initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and with quality. PM professionals coordinate teams, manage risks, and communicate with stakeholders.

Key methodologies include PMBOK, PRINCE2, Scrum, and Kanban. Tools like Jira, Asana, Monday, and MS Project are widely used in daily work.

Certifications like PMP and PgMP are important differentiators in the market, with growing demand in technology and consulting companies.

About Agile

The Agile and Digital Transformation area is fundamental for organizations seeking efficiency and rapid adaptation. Agile professionals facilitate processes, eliminate bottlenecks, and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

Key certifications include CSM, PSM, SAFe, ICP, and Kanban. Knowledge of Scrum, Kanban, XP, and agile frameworks is essential, as are leadership and facilitation soft skills.

Senior Agile coaches and Scrum Masters are highly valued, especially in technology companies that adopt agile methodologies at scale.

Career Guides

Technology Career Guide

Planning, skills, interviews, and professional growth in IT, Data Science, DevOps, and Product.

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Design Career Guide

UX/UI, Graphic Design, Product Design. Portfolio, tools, interviews, and growth in the Design field.

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Marketing Career Guide

SEO, Paid Media, Growth, Content Marketing. Certifications, tools, and strategies to grow in Digital Marketing.

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Finance Career Guide

Financial market, investments, corporate finance, certifications, and strategies to grow in the financial field.

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Communication Career Guide

Journalism, PR, Corporate Communication, Content Marketing, and Multimedia Production.

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Administration Career Guide

Business Management, HR, Logistics, Consulting, Project Management, and Entrepreneurship.

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Data Career Guide

Data Science, Data Engineering, BI, Machine Learning, and AI. From training to the job market.

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Product Career Guide

Product Management, Product Ownership, Agile, Scrum, and OKRs. From strategy to execution.

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Tech & Remote Glossary

Stop getting lost in interviews and job descriptions

The job market, especially within tech and global companies, has developed its own dialect. Not understanding these acronyms can make you lose valuable opportunities or poorly negotiate your contract. To end this problem, we created the Definitive Glossary for the Remote Professional.

🏢 Work Models & Routine

Async (Asynchronous Work)
A communication model where responses don't need to be immediate. Instead of back-to-back meetings, the team relies on well-structured documents, threads, and messages. It's the gold standard for global companies spanning multiple time zones.
Sync (Synchronous Work)
The opposite of Async. It requires the team to be online and available at the same time for meetings, live chats, and real-time collaboration.
Daily / Stand-up
A quick daily meeting (usually 15 minutes) common in Agile (Scrum) methodologies. The team answers three questions: What did I do yesterday? What will I do today? Are there any blockers?
All-Hands / Town Hall
A company-wide meeting involving all employees. Usually led by the founders (C-Levels) to present results, new goals, and answer team questions.
1:1 (One-on-One)
A recurring individual meeting between a professional and their direct manager. It is used for career alignment, feedback, and problem-solving, not just for project status updates.

💰 Contracts, Benefits & Compensation

PTO (Paid Time Off)
Instead of strict, categorized leave policies, modern US companies usually offer a flexible pool of days (e.g., 20 days of PTO, or even "Unlimited PTO") that you can use for vacations, sick days, or personal matters, while receiving your regular compensation.
Equity / Stock Options
Company ownership. The startup offers you the right to buy shares at a heavily discounted strike price in the future. If the company grows, goes public, or is acquired, these shares can be highly lucrative.
Vesting (Vesting Schedule)
The rule that controls your Equity. It usually lasts 4 years. You don't get all the shares on day one; you "earn" them gradually as you stay with the company. A "1-year Cliff" means you must stay for at least one year to receive your first batch of shares.
RSUs (Restricted Stock Units)
Unlike Stock Options (where you have the right to buy the stock), RSUs are actual shares the company grants you as a bonus or part of your compensation package, following a strict Vesting schedule.
Independent Contractor (1099 / B2B)
The most common international hiring model for global talent working for US companies. You act as a service provider (business-to-business), receiving the gross salary (often six-figure compensation) without standard local payroll tax deductions at the source.

🤖 Recruitment & Hiring Process

ATS (Applicant Tracking System)
The "robot" that reads your resume. Software like Greenhouse, Ashby, and Workday are used to filter candidates by keywords before a human even looks at the document. (Pro tip: this is why your resume must be clean, semantic, and have the right keywords).
JD (Job Description)
The document that lists the responsibilities, technical requirements, and benefits of the open position.
Cultural Fit
The interview stage that evaluates if your core values, communication style, and worldview align with the company's culture. This is the ultimate test of your Soft Skills.
Onboarding
The integration process. It's the period of your first few weeks at the company, where you get your access credentials, learn about the culture, study the internal documentation, and understand how the product works.

🚀 How to use this to your advantage?

The secret isn't just knowing what these acronyms mean, but using them actively. If during an interview for a premium tech role you ask, "How does your PTO policy and Vesting schedule work?", the recruiter will immediately perceive you as a high-level professional, familiar with the global market standards.

The remote job market requires preparation. And having the right vocabulary is the first big step to securing six-figure proposals and standing out among thousands of applicants.

Expert Tip

The 2026 AI Boom: The Most Valuable Tech Careers and How to Land Six-Figure Remote Jobs

We are halfway through 2026, and one thing is crystal clear: the "experimental" phase of Artificial Intelligence is officially over. While 2023 and 2024 were characterized by awe over chatbots drafting emails and generating images, 2026 has solidified AI as the core infrastructure of global enterprises. The transition from standalone "AI tools" to Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems has radically transformed the job market.

For Tech, Design, and Digital Marketing professionals across the United States, 2026 represents the greatest window of opportunity of the decade to secure top-tier, 100% remote roles with highly lucrative six-figure compensations.

In this article, we will break down the current AI job landscape, backed by recent data, and list the top careers that startups and Fortune 500 companies are desperately trying to fill.

The Current Landscape: 2026 Data and Projections

The market isn't just hiring standard developers anymore; it's hiring intelligence orchestrators. According to recent Future of Work reports:

  • Exponential Growth: The World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 update highlights that roles focused on AI, Machine Learning, and Big Data have grown by 45% compared to 2024, cementing them as the fastest-growing fields nationwide.
  • Corporate Adoption: Data published by Gartner earlier this year reveals that over 80% of Fortune 500 companies are now running Generative AI applications in production environments. This has created a massive demand for AI maintenance, ethics, and governance.
  • The Remote Premium: An internal analysis from Mondywork's database (which tracks integrations with major ATS platforms like Greenhouse and Ashby) shows that 73% of US-based AI roles are Remote-First. The average salary for senior specialists in these roles currently exceeds the $140,000 to $180,000 annual range, plus equity.

The 5 Hottest AI Opportunities in 2026

If you want to tailor your resume and LinkedIn profile to be easily captured by modern recruiting algorithms, these are the positions with the highest talent deficit in the US market right now:

1. MLOps and LLMOps Engineers (Operations Engineering)

Large Language Models (LLMs) are like Formula 1 engines: they need a full pit crew to avoid crashing on the track. The industry has realized that putting AI into production is vastly different from running a local model.

  • What they do: Manage infrastructure, oversee the model lifecycle, handle fine-tuning with proprietary company data, and ensure the AI does not suffer from large-scale hallucinations.
  • Hot Search Terms: MLOps, LLMOps, Platform Engineering, Data Ops, Kubernetes for AI.

2. Prompt Engineer & AI Interaction Designer

The profession many thought would be a passing fad has heavily evolved. The 2026 Prompt Engineer is not just someone who "talks well to machines"; they are complex logical system designers.

  • What they do: Sitting at the intersection of Software Engineering and UX Design, these professionals design system prompts for Autonomous Agents, build RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) flows, and structure how AI safely interacts with end-users.
  • Hot Search Terms: Prompt Engineering, NLP, AI Behavior Design, UX Writer for AI.

3. Analytics Engineer / Structured Data Specialist

AI is completely useless without clean data. The classic Data Scientist role has yielded massive ground to the Analytics Engineer, the professional who bridges the gap between raw data engineering and business analysis.

  • What they do: Prepare, model, and transform chaotic data lakes into crystal-clear sources so enterprise AI models can consume data and generate real-time insights.
  • Hot Search Terms: Analytics Engineer, dbt, Snowflake, Computer Vision, BigQuery.

4. AI Product Manager (AI PM)

Companies are tired of building AI features "just because." Now, they need these features to drive serious revenue (ROI). The AI-focused Product Manager is the conductor of this orchestra.

  • What they do: Understand the technical limitations of modern LLMs, translate user pain points into viable AI solutions, and manage the product roadmap while ensuring the technology complies with strict privacy laws (like CCPA and GDPR).
  • Hot Search Terms: AI Product Manager, CPO, Product Ops, AI Governance.

5. AI Growth Marketer / High-Performance Media Buyer

In the digital marketing realm, 2026 is the year of autonomous campaign orchestration. Marketers still relying on 100% manual campaign creation are rapidly losing ground to those who can direct predictive AI.

  • What they do: Leverage Machine Learning and advanced AI tools for autonomous Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), automated A/B testing, mass content generation, and predictive consumer behavior analysis.
  • Hot Search Terms: Growth Marketing, Media Buyer, Programmatic, AI Copywriting, Martech.

How to Prepare and Get Found (Beating the ATS Filters)

US companies utilize incredibly rigorous Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) like Workday, Greenhouse, and Lever. They configure recruiting bots to filter resumes using fine-mesh keyword grids.

If you want to land these highly competitive roles, the golden rule is to mirror the exact industry jargon:

  • Don't just write "Data Analyst"; use "Data Ops" or "Analytics Engineer".
  • Don't just list "Cloud Support"; highlight "FinOps", "Cloud Architect", or "Platform Engineer".
  • Replace the outdated "Digital Marketer" with "Growth Ops" or "Performance Manager".

Mondywork Does the Heavy Lifting for You

The US market is fiercely competing for top-tier talent. Startups and tech giants are looking for highly skilled professionals ready to collaborate across different time zones in fully remote environments. That is exactly why Mondywork exists. Our proprietary algorithm scans the largest global Job Boards to find verified, high-paying, and 100% remote Tech, Design, and Marketing opportunities.

Don't miss the chance to ride the biggest technological revolution of our generation.

👉 Subscribe now to Mondywork's Job Alerts


Macroeconomic Reference Sources:

  • World Economic Forum - The Future of Jobs Report 2026 Update.
  • Gartner - Hype Cycle for Artificial Intelligence, 2026.
  • McKinsey Global Institute - The Economic Potential of Generative AI (Revisited 2026).