Staff Software Engineer, Search Infrastructure

Details

Airbnb is a mission-driven company dedicated to helping create a world where anyone can belong anywhere. Search is at the core of the Airbnb marketplace that connects our guests and hosts. This role is part of the Search organization and focuses on building and evolving search infrastructure and platforms to improve the search experience across Airbnb.

Responsibilities

• Lead search infrastructure engineering projects to improve search experience in collaboration with product teams.
• Up-level search system reliability, scalability, and performance in collaboration with Infrastructure teams.
• Build the next-generation search platform to power different products at Airbnb.
• Mentor, advocate for, and support the career growth of individual contributors.
• Participate in design workshops, present technical plans to senior leadership, and implement key platform components (including working with LLMs as assistants).
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners (product managers, designers) on the technical design of new search features and attend in-person gatherings as needed.

Typical Day

• Attend a design workshop for the next-generation search platform.
• Present plans to senior leadership about the search platform.
• Focused implementation time for important components of the search platform, using state-of-the-art LLMs as assistants.
• Technical design discussions with cross-functional partners.
• 1:1 mentoring sessions with senior/principal engineers.
• Attend occasional in-person team gatherings and offsites.

Requirements

• BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 9+ years of industry experience with a BS/Masters, or 6+ years with a PhD.
• Expertise in search and recommendation systems.
• Experience applying GenAI/LLM technologies to search is a plus.
• Track record of tech-leading engineering teams to deliver high-quality technical solutions.
• Strong communication skills for collaborating with cross-functional partners.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base pay range: $204,000 — $255,000 USD. The actual base pay is dependent on factors such as training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market demands; the role may also be eligible for bonus, equity, benefits, and Employee Travel Credits.

Location & Work Policy

• This position is US - Remote Eligible. The role may include occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites, as agreed with your manager.
• If remote eligible, you must live in a U.S. state where Airbnb, Inc. has a registered entity (some states may be excluded).

Inclusion

• Airbnb is committed to inclusion and belonging and encourages all qualified individuals to apply.
• Candidates with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation during the application process can contact [email protected] with their full name, the role, and the requested accommodation.