Senior Software Engineer
Job Description
About NextLink Labs
NextLink Labs is a fast growing technology firm focused on helping companies build, scale, and secure their software applications and organizations. We believe that in order for companies, teams, and products to succeed, technology must be utilized effectively and securely. We pride ourselves in helping our clients win in their respective industries.
As a remote-first company with team members spread out all across the country, NextLink Labs continuously works to ensure our work environment is comfortable and collaborative. We also aim to maintain an inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive professionally and live full lives outside of work.
Position Summary
NextLink Labs is seeking a versatile Senior Software Engineer to join our Custom Software Development consulting team. Our client portfolio spans a wide range of languages and frameworks, including Ruby on Rails, React, Node.js, Rust, Python, Java, and Go, and we're building a bench of strong engineers across that spectrum. The ideal candidate brings deep, production-proven expertise in at least one modern language or framework, a generalist's instincts, and the flexibility to move across stacks and problem domains as engagements demand.
This person will design and build systems for our clients, make sound architecture decisions, and contribute strategically to elevating our consulting practice. As part of your application, you'll tell us which languages and frameworks you're strongest in and which you're most interested in growing into, as that’ll help us match you to the right engagements.
What You'll Do
Design, develop, and maintain scalable web applications, APIs, and backend services for client engagements
Work across a variety of languages and frameworks (e.g., Ruby on Rails, React, Node.js, Rust, Python, Java, Go) depending on client needs and your strengths
Architect service-oriented, microservices, or event-driven solutions appropriate to each engagement
Make pragmatic architecture decisions to identify and remediate technical debt in legacy applications
Communicate directly with clients, leading demos, gathering feedback, and shaping solutions to their pain points
Work in an agile team environment with regular stand-ups
Engage in code reviews with teammates and uphold strong testing and debugging practices
Contribute to internal best practices, documentation, and code templates
Engage in thought leadership through blog posts, webinars, and other marketing materials
Required Qualifications
5+ years of experience building production web applications or backend services
Deep proficiency in at least one modern language/framework (e.g., Ruby on Rails, React/Node.js, Rust, Python/Django, Java, Go, C#/.NET) with a track record of production ownership
Experience designing and implementing APIs (REST, GraphQL, or gRPC) and integrating with third-party services
Proficiency with relational databases (PostgreSQL or similar) and sound database design/optimization practices
Strong testing and debugging discipline (e.g., RSpec/Minitest, Jest/RTL, or language-appropriate equivalents)
Ability to work independently, take ownership, and scope features or full projects from client requirements
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, able to build buy-in, facilitate compromise, and manage client expectations
Proficient with Git and modern version control workflows
Understanding of accessibility, security, and scalable application design principles
Comfort moving between languages, frameworks, and problem domains as engagements demand
Nice to Have
Experience with a second major language/framework beyond your primary stack
Familiarity with distributed systems patterns (microservices, event sourcing, CQRS, actor-based concurrency)
DevOps tooling experience (AWS, Azure, Terraform, Docker, Kubernetes)
Experience with observability/monitoring tooling (OpenTelemetry, Datadog, Grafana, Sentry)
Experience with event streaming (Kafka) or message-driven architectures
Prior consulting or client-facing engineering experience
Experience modernizing or migrating legacy applications
Why NextLink Labs
Compensation commensurate with experience and stack specialization (typical range $120,000–$160,000 annually)
We're a technical consulting firm that values clarity, ownership, and outcomes
Competitive salary with bonus structure
Remote-first culture, flexible work schedule, and autonomy to do your best work
Healthcare (Medical, Dental, and Vision) and 401k
Paid parental leave
Responsibility and autonomy at a growing company
The opportunity to build something big and exciting
Visa Sponsorship
At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or take over sponsorship for existing visas. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.