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- Tasks: Develop innovative features for Airbnb's hosting experience and improve system reliability.
- Company: Join Airbnb, a global leader in unique stays and experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, equity, and travel credits.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Tackle complex engineering challenges that impact millions of travellers and hosts.
- Qualifications: 4+ years of experience in software development and strong collaboration skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
London, United Kingdom
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.
The Community You Will Join:
We're building the next generation of Airbnb experiences for guests and hosts across Europe and EMEA - and we're looking for a Backend Software Engineer to help us get there. Our team has a singular mission: make Airbnb the go-to platform across 40+ markets in the region. We're embedded within the Guest and Host organisation and work in close collaboration with engineering teams in San Francisco and across the globe. Our work spans the full app, and we're empowered to make changes wherever they're needed to win in the region.
Right now our focus is on the experiences that matter most - payments, search, pricing, and inventory discovery - but our charter goes far beyond that. If something needs to change to drive success in Europe, we're the team that makes it happen. You’ll be working on technically challenging, high-impact problems that shape how millions of Europeans travel and host. From enabling localised experiences that reflect how people in the region actually use the platform, to building the trust and reliability that keeps both guests and hosts coming back - this is work that matters at scale.
If you're excited by complex engineering problems, a broad mandate, and the chance to directly influence one of Airbnb's most important strategic priorities, this is the role for you.
The Difference You Will Make:
- Deliver useful, personalized new features for Airbnb’s hosting experience; enabling hosts around the world to connect with others to make hosting on Airbnb easier.
- Build systems that drive reliability, performance, and cost-efficiency in our infrastructure.
- Contribute to technical direction in your area, partner across adjacent teams when needed, and help raise the bar for engineering quality within the team.
A Typical Day:
- Write clear technical designs for projects of moderate-to-high complexity, balancing functional requirements and non-functional qualities (resilience, testability, observability).
- Collaborate with engineers and cross-functional partners in Hosting Services to clarify requirements, manage dependencies, and ensure robust integrations.
- Contribute to technical improvements that make the team’s products higher quality and increase the team’s velocity.
- Help define and improve coding standards, development processes, operational runbooks, and best practices.
Your Expertise:
- 4+ years of industry experience with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. No prior industry experience required for candidates with a PhD.
- Experience in building and scaling high-quality products (or systems) with a focus on operational excellence.
- Strong collaboration with colleagues across multiple timezones.
- Strong communication skills with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across teams and stakeholders.
Our Commitment To Inclusion & Belonging:
Airbnb is committed to working with the broadest talent pool possible. We believe diverse ideas foster innovation and engagement, and allow us to attract creatively-led people, and to develop the best products, services and solutions. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
How We'll Take Care of You:
Our job titles may span more than one career level. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range shown below is annualized, is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role may also be eligible for bonus, equity, benefits, and Employee Travel Credits.
Backend Software Engineer – Guest & Host in London employer: airbnb, Inc.
Contact Detail:
airbnb, Inc. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Software Engineer – Guest & Host in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Airbnb employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common technical questions and coding challenges. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills. We want you to feel confident when tackling those complex engineering problems!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for Airbnb's mission! During interviews, share how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to making hosting easier and more reliable for everyone. It’s all about that connection!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Airbnb community.
We think you need these skills to ace Backend Software Engineer – Guest & Host in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Backend Software Engineer role. Highlight your experience with building and scaling high-quality products, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects that showcase your technical skills!
Show Off Your Collaboration Skills: Since we work closely with teams across different time zones, it’s important to demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively. Share examples of how you've worked with others in the past to tackle complex engineering problems.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us understand your technical designs and thought processes better.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at airbnb, Inc.
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re familiar with the technologies mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your knowledge of backend systems, especially those related to payments, search, and inventory management. Being able to discuss your experience with these technologies will show that you're ready to tackle the challenges at Airbnb.
✨Showcase Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working with teams across multiple time zones, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight any experiences where you’ve worked with cross-functional teams or managed dependencies effectively, as this will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a global environment.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions that assess your problem-solving skills and coding abilities. Practice coding challenges and be ready to explain your thought process. This is your chance to showcase your operational excellence and how you approach complex engineering problems.
✨Understand Airbnb's Mission
Familiarise yourself with Airbnb’s mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to making hosting easier for others. Showing genuine enthusiasm for the company’s goals will set you apart from other candidates.