At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects to enhance guest and host experiences across Europe.
- Company: Join Airbnb, a global leader in unique stays and experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, travel credits, and inclusive work culture.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how people connect and travel worldwide.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software engineering, expertise in Java/Kotlin, and mentoring skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
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 are building the next generation of Airbnb experiences for both guests and hosts across Europe and EMEA, with a singular focus: making Airbnb successful in the region's 40+ markets. While our initial focus is on the booking surfaces - payments, search, pricing, and inventory discovery - our charter spans the entire app, and we're empowered to make changes anywhere they're needed to win in the region. As part of the Guest and Host organisation, and in collaboration with engineering teams based in San Francisco and globally, you will focus on enabling localised, trustworthy, and differentiated experiences that reflect how Europeans actually travel and host. You'll be able to work on exciting, innovative, and technically challenging work, supporting a major company strategy.
The Difference You Will Make:
- Own key company level problem statements and drive critical projects
- Lead the scoping phase, the technical requirements and the implementation of the new functionality
- Partner closely with other Engineering teams and cross functional partners including PM, Design, Data, and TPM.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning
A Typical Day:
- Architect and implement complex features, focusing on data-driven decision making and performance optimisations
- Collaborate with other engineers and cross-functional partners across Booking & Pricing and organisations such as Listings and Users to understand and prioritise technical requirements
- Proactively grows knowledge of leading edge practices and trends involving workflow orchestration systems
- Help define and improve coding standards, development processes and best practices
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning
Your Expertise:
- 5+ years of experience in a hands‑on software engineering role in backend/full-stack development
- Bachelor’s and/or Master/PhD’s degree, preferably in CS, or equivalent experience
- Considerable experience working in Java and/or Kotlin
- Passionate about efficiency, availability, technical quality and system quality
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills and the ability to work well within engineering organisation and cross functions
- Demonstrated expertise in backend systems within large-scale service‑oriented architectures
- Ability to drive alignment, manage projects and effectively collaborate with stakeholders.
- Mentorship of junior developers
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. We strive to also provide a disability inclusive application and interview process.
How We'll Take Care of You: 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, benefits, and Employee Travel Credits.
Senior Software Engineer, Guest & Host in London employer: airbnb, Inc.
Airbnb is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, particularly for the Senior Software Engineer role in Europe and EMEA. With a commitment to employee growth through mentorship and knowledge sharing, as well as a focus on creating meaningful experiences for both guests and hosts, employees are empowered to make impactful contributions while enjoying competitive benefits and a diverse, inclusive work environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior 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 technical interview by brushing up on your coding skills. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to practice common algorithms and data structures. We want you to feel confident when tackling those tricky questions!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for the role! During interviews, share your thoughts on how you can contribute to Airbnb's mission. Discuss your ideas on enhancing guest and host experiences, and let your enthusiasm shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to dive into the Airbnb culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer, Guest & Host in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Software Engineer role. Highlight your backend/full-stack development experience, especially in Java and Kotlin, to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about building unique experiences for guests and hosts. Share specific examples of how you've driven projects or mentored junior engineers in the past.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t just list your technical skills; demonstrate how you've tackled complex problems in previous roles. We love seeing data-driven decision-making in action!
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’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at airbnb, Inc.
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in Java and Kotlin, as these are key for the role. Brush up on your backend development skills and be ready to discuss your past projects that showcase your expertise in these areas.
✨Understand Airbnb's Mission
Familiarise yourself with Airbnb’s journey and its commitment to creating authentic experiences. This will help you align your answers with their values and demonstrate your passion for the company’s mission during the interview.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since the role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, think of examples where you’ve successfully collaborated with others. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed projects and driven alignment in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Mentorship Skills
As a senior engineer, you’ll be expected to mentor junior developers. Prepare to share specific instances where you’ve guided others, fostered knowledge sharing, and contributed to a culture of continuous learning.