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 96000 - 120000 € 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 grow 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. 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. Please include your full name, the role you’re applying for and the accommodation necessary to assist you with the recruiting process. We ask that you only reach out to us if you are a candidate whose disability prevents you from being able to complete our online application.
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. United Kingdom Annual Pay Range £96,000—£120,000 GBP
Senior Software Engineer, Guest & Host employer: Airbnb
Airbnb is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, particularly for the Senior Software Engineer role in the vibrant tech hub of San Francisco. With a commitment to employee growth through mentorship and continuous learning, as well as competitive benefits including bonuses and travel credits, Airbnb empowers its engineers to make a meaningful impact on the guest and host experience across Europe and EMEA. Join a diverse team dedicated to creating authentic connections and shaping the future of travel.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer, Guest & Host
✨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. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer, Guest & Host
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior Software Engineer role. Highlight your backend/full-stack development experience, especially with Java and Kotlin, to show us you’re the right fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about working at Airbnb. Share specific examples of how you've driven projects or mentored junior engineers, as this aligns with our focus on collaboration and knowledge sharing.
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 and performance optimisations in action!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Airbnb
✨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.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Airbnb values teamwork, so prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams. Highlight any experiences where you’ve partnered with PMs, designers, or data teams to drive projects forward.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect to tackle some technical challenges during the interview. Practice articulating your thought process when solving complex problems, especially those related to system quality and performance optimisation.
✨Emphasise Mentorship Experience
As a senior engineer, you’ll be expected to mentor junior developers. Be ready to share specific instances where you’ve guided others, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning within your team.
