Lead Software Engineer & Chapter Lead Backend

Join to apply for the Lead Software Engineer & Chapter Lead Backend (m/f/d) role at journaway

We’re looking for an experienced Software Engineer & Chapter Lead who combines deep engineering expertise with people-focused leadership. You’ll help shape the technical evolution of our backend platform, build scalable services, and ensure our systems remain reliable and future-ready. Together with architects, QA engineers, product owners, and developers, you’ll drive technical decisions, code quality, best practices, and elevate our AI solutions.

As a Chapter Lead, you’ll support specialists in their growth, strengthen our engineering culture, and stay hands‑on in your squad. If you care about clean code, strong architectures, and helping others thrive, you’ll fit right in.

• Build and evolve backend services that support millions of travel dreams—scalable, secure, and future-proof.
• Shape purposeful architectures in close collaboration with software architects and cross‑functional squads.
• Keep our platform fast, stable, and resilient by proactively addressing performance challenges and risks.
• Identify relevant AI‑based use cases and lead their implementation.
• Raise the bar for engineering excellence through clean code, automated testing, CI/CD, pair programming, and continuous learning.
• Deliver meaningful features together with product owners, QA engineers, and your squad.

• Support chapter members in their personal and professional development through coaching, growth paths, and honest feedback.
• Lead with empathy and clarity—guiding performance processes, fostering psychological safety, and enabling people to do their best work.
• Stay hands‑on within your squad to stay close to real challenges and everyday engineering life.
• Build a community of specialists who share best practices, learn from each other, and grow stronger together.
• Provide context and direction so your chapter understands the bigger picture and their impact on journaway’s success.

• Degree in Computer Science or similar—or equivalent experience shaped by curiosity and craftsmanship.
• 8+ years of experience with C#, .NET, microservices, modern backend architectures, and cloud solutions.
• Proven understanding of scalable design patterns, system performance, and secure engineering.
• Comfortable working in agile, cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent problem‑solving and communication skills in English and/or German.
• You take ownership, collaborate naturally, and thrive when helping others succeed.

• Flexibility that fits your life:
  Dynamic working hours, remote‑first setup.
• Generous time off: 30 vacation days, 50 workation days, and 2 social days for passion projects.
• Easy onboarding: A furnished apartment in Leer for onboarding and office visits.
• Real team spirit:
  Summer vibes, after‑work events, movie nights, team meet‑ups, and more.
• Your future matters:
  Company pension scheme and high‑quality home office equipment.
• Stay active:
  
  Hansefit membership and sporty team highlights like our tennis camp.
• Travel included:
  Travel Industry Card and attractive discounts for your next adventure.

journaway is not a typical travel tech company. We’re the Anti‑Holiday platform. We want our users to design and experience their bucket list dreams, to travel in a sustainable and social way, to get to know and fall in love with our beautiful world and its many hidden gems. To achieve this, we aim to revolutionize how people plan and book their trips.

By seamlessly combining flights, hotels, excursions, rental cars, and more, we empower travelers to build customized travel experiences with ease. Our technology removes complexity to allow the user to focus on what truly matters - the journey itself.