Senior Software Engineer

Join KAYAK as a Senior Java Software Engineer on the Retention and CRM team. You'll design and deliver scalable backend services, improve messaging systems, and drive user retention. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, debug and optimize solutions, and mentor junior engineers. Enjoy flexible work options, team-wide time off, and opportunities for career growth.

• Design and deliver scalable, high-quality backend services across both Retention and CRM, including systems that power the Trips product and user re-engagement features.
• Lead the design of complex features end-to-end, from technical scoping and architecture decisions through deployment, monitoring, and production support.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into well-engineered solutions, and debug and optimize full-stack solutions.
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with product managers, marketing partners, designers, and globally distributed engineering teams to ship impactful features
• Solid experience with APIs and SQL — including designing and consuming RESTful APIs and working with relational databases such as MySQL or similar systems
• Experience leading the design and delivery of complex technical solutions, including making architectural tradeoffs and owning features through deployment and ongoing operations
• Education in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience and transferable skills
• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience, with a track record of delivering high-quality, production-grade backend systems in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with HTML and CSS is a plus, especially when debugging or collaborating on full-stack solutions with partner teams
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing needs without requiring close direction, balancing sprint commitments with longer-term technical work
• A collaborative mindset and openness to learning and sharing ideas, including a willingness to mentor others through code reviews and knowledge sharing
• Strong, proven programming skills in Java, with the ability to independently design, implement, and own complex backend features end to end