Experienced Staff Software Engineer – Personalization and Contextualization Infrastructure Development for Innovative Search Platforms

Introduction to Airbnb and Our Mission

Airbnb, founded in 2007, has grown exponentially to become a global community of over 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 billion guest arrivals across almost every country. Our mission is to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere, and we achieve this through our core values and innovative spirit. As a mission-driven company, we are dedicated to helping people connect with communities in a more authentic way, and our search function is at the heart of this connection, enabling guests to find unique stays and experiences that fit their needs and wants.

About the Role and Our Team

We are seeking an experienced Staff Software Engineer to join our team, focusing on Personalization and Contextualization Infrastructure. As a key member of our search infrastructure engineering team, you will lead projects to improve search experiences, collaborate with cross-functional partners, and advance Airbnb's mission. Our team is committed to revolutionizing the search experience, and we are looking for someone who shares our passion for innovation and community building.

The Difference You Will Make

• Lead search infrastructure engineering projects to improve search experience, in collaboration with product teams, focusing on personalization and contextualization.
• Think deeply about personalizing search experiences by understanding our users and their travel intent, and develop solutions to enhance their experience.
• Up-level search system reliability, scalability, and performance, in collaboration with Infrastructure teams, to ensure a seamless user experience.
• Build the next generation search platform to power different products at Airbnb, including generative AI (large language model) use cases, and contribute to the development of new search features.
• Mentor, advocate, and support the career growth of individual contributors, sharing your expertise and experience to help them grow.

A Typical Day in This Role

A typical day as a Staff Software Engineer at Airbnb will be dynamic and engaging. You can expect to spend a significant amount of time implementing important components of the search platform, collaborating with cross-functional partners, and attending design workshops and meetings. Your day may include:

• A large block of focus time to implement an important component of the search platform, with tools like GitHub Copilot as your assistant.
• Attending a design workshop for the next generation search platform, contributing your expertise and ideas to the discussion.
• Giving a presentation to senior leadership about the plan for the search platform, showcasing your communication skills and ability to articulate complex ideas.
• Discussing with cross-functional partners (e.g., product managers, designers) on the technical design of an exciting new search feature, and collaborating to bring it to life.
• Having a 1:1 mentoring session with a principal engineer, sharing your knowledge and experience to help them grow.
• Attending an in-person gathering with team members and partners, building relationships and fostering a sense of community.

Your Expertise and Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent work experience, demonstrating a strong foundation in software engineering and computer science principles.
• 9+ years of industry experience with a BS/Masters, and 6+ years with a PhD, showcasing your ability to lead and deliver complex technical projects.
• Expertise in search and recommendation systems, with a deep understanding of personalization and contextualization techniques.
• A track record of tech-leading engineering teams to deliver technical solutions with high quality, and a passion for mentoring and growing individual contributors.
• Great communication skills in collaboration with cross-functional partners, with the ability to articulate complex ideas and negotiate priorities.

Our Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging

Airbnb is committed to working with the broadest talent pool possible, believing that diverse ideas foster innovation and engagement. We strive to provide a disability-inclusive application and interview process, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. If you are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in order to submit an application, please contact us at: reasonableaccommodations@airbnb.com.

How We'll Take Care of You

We offer a competitive salary range of $204,000-$259,000 USD, dependent on many factors such as training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market demands. This role may also be eligible for bonus, equity, benefits, and Employee Travel Credits. We are committed to providing a comprehensive benefits package that supports your well-being and career growth.

Work Environment and Company Culture

Our company culture is built on our core values of belonging, innovation, and community. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging among our employees, and providing opportunities for growth and development. As a remote-eligible role, you will have the flexibility to work from anywhere in the US, with occasional in-person gatherings and meetings. We prioritize work-life balance, and offer a range of perks and benefits to support your well-being and happiness.

Career Growth Opportunities and Learning Benefits

At Airbnb, we are committed to helping our employees grow and develop in their careers. As a Staff Software Engineer, you will have access to a range of learning and development opportunities, including mentorship programs, training sessions, and conferences. You will also have the opportunity to work on complex and challenging projects, and to collaborate with experienced engineers and leaders in the field.

Conclusion and Call to Action

If you are a motivated and experienced software engineer looking to join a dynamic and innovative team, we encourage you to apply for this role. As a Staff Software Engineer at Airbnb, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact on our search platform, and to contribute to the development of new and innovative features. You will be part of a talented and diverse team, and will have access to a range of learning and development opportunities. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to join our team and help shape the future of search and personalization at Airbnb. Apply now to take the first step in your journey with us!