Senior Software Engineer

About the role

This role delivers scalable backend systems for a wholesale distribution software company. The engineer owns complex projects from planning to deployment while collaborating with product and customer teams. The work focuses on performance, reliability, and shaping product features that serve industries that power the real economy.

Software engineers turn product ideas into working code. Engineers work in small teams, review each other's work, and ship in small batches. Most teams follow agile practices such as sprints and daily standups. Engineers also write tests, fix bugs, and improve performance. The field values clear communication as much as technical skill. Engineers spend part of every week on planning, code review, and debugging, not just writing new code. The ability to explain a technical decision in plain words separates strong engineers from the rest.

Key facts

What you'll do

Backend engineering work improves scalability, performance, and reliability for distribution workflows.

Large, complex projects are owned end to end, from planning through deployment for customer operations.

Direct collaboration with product and customer teams aligns engineering solutions with business needs in wholesale distribution.

Hands-on coding guides the team's technical direction and unblocks other engineers through thoughtful reviews.

Shaping the future of Canals continues as the platform scales alongside a growing customer base.

Requirements

Senior-level experience as a backend engineer builds scalable, high-performance systems for distribution data.

Independent work thrives in a fast-paced, product-focused environment where delivery meets quality.

Ownership of deliverables ensures projects meet high standards while customers rely on the platform daily.

Guidance for other engineers appears through code reviews and architectural feedback that unblocks production.

Background in high-growth startups or small teams is preferred for this role in a scaling software company.

Practical notes

Canals is an equal opportunity employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to protected status.

Typical interview steps

Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.

Good to know

Software for wholesale distributors automates ordering, purchasing, accounts payable, and critical workflows.

Engineering culture values ownership, transparency, continuous improvement, and thoughtful challenge among ambitious teammates.

General backend engineering in fast-growth environments relies on scalability, reliability, and autonomous execution.

Questions to ask

Good questions to ask the employer in the interview: what does success look like in the first six months, how is the team structured, what is the current biggest challenge, and how are decisions made. Asking about growth paths and the review process is also well received. Employers expect questions, and good ones show preparation.

Career growth

Engineering careers usually progress from individual contributor to senior, staff, and principal levels. Some engineers move into management and lead teams of five to twenty people. Others stay on the technical track. Growth follows demonstrated impact, not tenure alone. A typical engineering ladder has clear levels with defined expectations for scope, quality, and mentorship. Moving up usually requires owning outcomes end to end rather than completing assigned tickets.

About the company

Canals or artificial waterways are waterways or engineered channels built for drainage management or for conveyancing water transport vehicles. They carry free, calm surface flow under atmospheric pressure, and can be thought of as artificial rivers.