Senior Java Software Engineer, Search team

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain scalable backend search capabilities focused on speed, reliability, relevance, and user experience.
• Own complex technical solutions from design through operational support.
• Provide technical leadership by guiding architecture discussions and maintaining high engineering standards.
• Collaborate with commercial, data, and engineering teams to deliver robust technical solutions.
• Resolve production issues, improve system reliability, and reduce technical debt.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to better testing, observability, CI/CD, and development practices.

Preferred

• Previous experience with AI/LLM would be a plus.
• Exposure to ElasticSearch or similar search technologies.

Please apply if you have

• Education in Computer Science or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience with the Java ecosystem and Spring Framework (Boot, Security).
• Expertise in designing for high-throughput data environments using PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Redis.
• Fluent English communication skills.

Salary consists of three elements

Base pay: from 3330 EUR up to 6660 EUR gross monthly

In addition

• Significant yearly bonuses, approx 10 percent of annual salary.
• Booking Holdings RSU (Restricted Stock Units) package, worth 20000 USD gross, with possibility to receive yearly refreshes.

Benefits

• Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year
• Funds for your career growth
• Access to thousands of on-demand e-learnings
• Generous additional Health Insurance
• Flexible sick time off
• Additional financial support for your sick leave
• Additional day off on your birthday
• Company-wide vacation week once a year (winter holidays)

Additional financial support during parental leave

• Free lunch twice a week and daily snacks at the office
• Free yoga twice a week
• Paid volunteering time

No meeting Fridays

• Office and team events such as summer camp, KAYAK birthday, winter party and more!
• Company-paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth
• Company-paid subscription to HeadSpace
• Internal Communities

Inclusion

At KAYAK, we want everyone to have the space to grow, share ideas and do great work. That’s why we’re focused on hiring the best talent from all walks of life and experiences, supporting them well and making sure no one feels like they have to fit a mold to belong here.

If you need accommodations during the application or interview process, or on the job, we’re here to support you. Please reach out to your recruiter to request any accommodations.

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