Staff Software Engineer

KAYAK

. Design, implement and maintain reliable production software for KAYAK’s travel-search and trip-planning experiences .

Posted 10/2/2026full-timeConcord • Massachusetts • United StatesLead💰 $160,000 - $180,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in building and maintaining production software, with a strong focus on Java, APIs, and automated testing. Capable of improving software reliability and performance while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Java ProgrammingAPI DevelopmentAutomated TestingAI and Machine LearningDistributed Systems

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Production Software DevelopmentJavaSpring FrameworkAPIsAutomated Testing FrameworksRelational DatabasesCloud ServicesCI/CD PipelinesSoftware Design PrinciplesDebugging

Soft Skills

Clear CommunicationOwnershipCollaborationConstructive FeedbackProblem-Solving

Industry Keywords

Travel Search EngineHigh-Volume Consumer ProductsAccessibilityUsabilityPersonalization

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudDistributed SystemsJavaSpring

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, implement and maintain reliable production software for KAYAK’s travel-search and trip-planning experiences
Build and evolve APIs and services supporting AI-assisted search, conversational travel planning, itineraries and related user experiences
Investigate technical problems, assess trade-offs and choose practical solutions that improve reliability, performance and maintainability
Write automated tests and contribute to unit, integration and end-to-end testing quality
Participate in code reviews and technical discussions, providing constructive feedback focused on correctness, clarity and maintainability
Work with engineers, product managers and designers to clarify requirements and deliver useful, accessible user experiences
Contribute to ASK AI, smart filters, AI-generated hotel review summaries, Explore and related search experiences
Help make AI-assisted features dependable, transparent and useful to travelers
Learn unfamiliar systems and share knowledge through documentation, pairing and technical discussions
Monitor and improve production behavior through debugging, observability and root-cause analysis
Contribute to development tools, engineering processes and delivery practices
Support KAYAK, a travel search engine and Booking Holdings metasearch brand, helping travelers find flights, stays, rental cars and vacation packages

Requirements

What you’ll need

Experience building and maintaining production software
Proficiency in Java or another relevant programming language
Familiarity with APIs, data structures and software-design principles
Experience testing software and investigating defects or production issues
Ability to explain technical decisions clearly in writing and conversation
Ability to take ownership of assigned work while asking for input or support when needed
Experience contributing to projects from design through implementation, release and maintenance
Equivalent practical experience is welcome in place of a specific degree or educational path
Experience with distributed systems, search, personalization or other high-volume consumer products
Experience with AI, machine learning or large language model applications
Experience with relational databases or other structured data stores
Experience working on web products, mobile products or travel-related products
Experience improving accessibility, reliability or usability
Experience working with Java and Spring
Experience with cloud services, CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks
Must be able to commute to the Concord, MA office 3 times a week
Must be able to work in the United States without visa sponsorship; the employer is unable to offer US work sponsorship, including OPT

Benefits

Comp & perks

Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year
Company-paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth
Company-paid subscription to HeadSpace
Company-wide week off a year
No meeting Fridays
Paid parental leave
Generous paid vacation and time off for your birthday
Paid volunteer time
Development Dollars
Leadership development
Access to thousands of on-demand e-learnings
Travel Discounts
Employee Resource Groups
Competitive retirement and health plans
Free lunch 2 days per week
Fun quarterly events such as boat trips, arcades, ski trips, Thursday happy hours, and more
Health benefits
Flexible spending account
Retirement benefits
Life insurance
Paid time off, including PTO, paid sick leave, medical leave, bereavement leave, floating holidays and paid holidays
Parental leave benefits
Annual bonus and recurring RSU grants (compensation extras)