Backend Engineer, API Platform

Who we are

We are a high-growth tech startup, located in Toronto, helping travellers all over the world. At sherpa°, our mission is to help travellers move freely around the world, and shift the way the world's leading travel providers think about borders. We are enabling travel companies to regain trust in international travel by providing travellers with accurate information, and building the next border crossing experience. We are looking for team members who are excited about our mission, committed to personal growth, and excited to take ownership of their work.

We are focused on creating a positive working environment. We have regular team events, bi-weekly social activities and offer attractive compensation, including equity participation and benefits.

What we're looking for

As a Backend Engineer - API Platform , you'll architect and build the API ecosystem that powers global travel for millions of passengers monthly. Sherpa° is seeking an engineer who thrives on designing robust, scalable APIs in a microservices environment that directly impacts travelers from 193 countries.

You'll be working with a sophisticated Node.js/NestJS API platform deployed on Google Cloud Platform, handling everything from visa applications to real-time document processing. Our API ecosystem includes:

🔌 API Platform at Scale Design and maintain 15+ specialized APIs (Orders, Documents, Applications, Webhooks, Travellers, Products) serving millions of requests with consistent patterns and governance

☁️ Cloud-Native API Infrastructure Deploy APIs with Google Cloud Run, implement API gateways, manage service mesh communication, and ensure high availability across multi-region environments

🔄 Event-Driven API Architecture Build resilient API integrations using Google Pub/Sub, design webhook systems, and implement real-time data synchronization between services

🛡️ Enterprise API Security Implement comprehensive API authentication, rate limiting, API key management, and compliance systems for sensitive travel documents

🤖 AI-Powered API Integration Work with Google Cloud Gen AI APIs for document analysis and build machine learning API pipelines for travel requirement processing

You'll collaborate directly with product managers, frontend engineers, and designers to deliver API contracts that streamline visa applications for partners like American Airlines , Air Canada , and British Airways . Your APIs will handle everything from passport document verification to complex travel requirement calculations.

This is API platform engineering at its most impactful - where your distributed API expertise directly removes friction from global travel and helps millions of people explore the world. You'll tackle challenges like API versioning, contract management, multi-tenant API architecture, and building resilient API gateways that never sleep because travel never stops.

Tech Stack : Node.js, NestJS, TypeScript, Google Cloud Platform, API Gateway, Firestore, Pub/Sub, Docker, Terraform, Firebase, REST APIs, OpenAPI, Microservices

What you can expect

Own API platform infrastructure. Co-manage API gateways, authentication layers, rate limiting, monitoring, and API lifecycle management systems.

Architect API solutions. Drive API design decisions, versioning strategies, and service integration approaches.

Ship quality APIs. Build performant, reliable API contracts that serve millions of users with consistent developer experience.

Be versatile. Handle diverse tasks from API documentation to GCP infrastructure with Terraform, API monitoring to contract testing.

You are a good fit if you

• 5+ years professional software development experience with strong focus on API design and development

• Proven track record building complex, user-focused API platforms and managing API lifecycles

• Experience with distributed systems, microservices architecture, and API gateway patterns

• Deep understanding of REST APIs, OpenAPI specifications, API versioning, and service mesh technologies

• Excel in collaborative, fast-paced startup environments

• Strong communication skills for API contract discussions and cross-team coordination

What we offer

• Competitive base salary

• Comprehensive benefits

• Early-stage stock options

• 4 weeks' vacation (Moving towards unlimited vacation plan)

• Flexibility to work from home or office

• Learning and development fund

Ready to build the API platform that powers seamless global travel?