About the Organization
GiveDirectly is a global nonprofit focused on reducing extreme poverty by sending cash directly to people in need. Operating across multiple countries, the organization has delivered direct cash assistance to over 2 million recipients and is widely recognized for its evidence-based approach to humanitarian aid.
🔗 FOLLOW OUR LINKEDIN PAGE FOR DAILY UPDATES
Role Overview
The Senior Software Engineer will design, build, and scale the core systems that power GiveDirectly’s global operations.
Job Title: Senior Software Engineer (Remote – EMEA)
Location: Remote (EMEA, global team coordination required)
Contract Type: Full-Time
Compensation: ~$180K+ total compensation (varies by location)
This includes platforms for cash transfers, donor engagement, and rapid disaster response systems that deliver aid within days of crises. The role combines backend engineering, cloud infrastructure, and product thinking in a high-autonomy environment.
Key Responsibilities
System Design & Architecture
- Design and build scalable, reliable backend systems
- Own architecture decisions for high-impact platforms
Product Engineering
- Develop and deploy production-ready features end-to-end
- Work on donor platforms, payment systems, and crisis response tools
Infrastructure & Cloud Engineering
- Build and maintain cloud-based infrastructure (AWS and similar platforms)
- Improve CI/CD pipelines, testing frameworks, and deployment workflows
Collaboration & Delivery
- Work closely with product, operations, and data teams
- Translate real-world operational needs into technical solutions
Production Support & Reliability
- Debug and resolve production issues across systems
- Implement long-term fixes and improve system reliability
Technical Environment
- Backend systems and APIs
- Cloud infrastructure (AWS preferred)
- Strongly-typed languages (Java, Go, C#)
- Scripting languages (Python, Ruby)
- Microservices / serverless architecture (bonus)
Required Qualifications
- 4+ years of experience in production software engineering
- Strong backend and distributed systems experience
- Experience with cloud infrastructure and API development
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Ability to work independently with high ownership
Preferred Skills
- Experience with AWS in production environments
- Experience with Python or similar scripting languages
- Exposure to payments or financial systems
- Experience with scalable microservices architectures
- Interest in tech-for-good or social impact systems
Work Environment
GiveDirectly operates as a highly distributed global team across multiple countries and time zones. The engineering culture emphasizes autonomy, speed, ownership, and direct impact on real-world outcomes.
- Fully remote (EMEA-friendly timezone overlap required)
- Occasional travel (1–2 times per year)
- High-trust, low-hierarchy engineering environment
Compensation & Benefits
- Estimated total compensation: ~$180K+ (location-dependent)
- Performance bonus (up to ~15%)
- Annual benefits stipend
- Unlimited PTO
- Remote work flexibility
- Strong professional growth opportunities
Hiring Process
- Take-home coding assignment
- Live coding interview (60 min)
- Systems design interview (60 min)
- Project deep dive + behavioral interview (60 min)
OTHER JOBS:
Why This Role Matters
This role directly supports systems that deliver cash transfers to vulnerable populations worldwide. Engineers contribute to platforms that power humanitarian aid, disaster response, and donor funding at global scale.
How to Apply
Apply through the official GiveDirectly careers portal. Candidates should highlight experience in backend systems, cloud infrastructure, and scalable application design.
