Staff Software Engineer, Communication & Connectivity
Airbnb · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $255,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Lead data system design and build at scale.
- Power ML models and new product features.
- Collaborate across backend, frontend, and ML.
- Utilize GenAI and LLMs for product enhancement.
- Mentor engineers and influence community.
About the role
Staff Software Engineer, Communication & Connectivity
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 connect Airbnb’s community with the right information, in the right place, at the right time. We tailor Messaging & Notifications so hosts on Airbnb can streamline their operations, and travelers get just the information they need to enjoy their stay worry-free. Additionally, we are building new connections within our community to help enrich the experience of hosting & traveling on Airbnb: easing the process of hosting, and adding meaning to our guest’s trips.
The data team utilizes industry-leading tools, builds scalable data systems and applies cutting-edge ML models to provide insights and empower all products in the Communication and Connectivity (CnC) organization.
The Difference You Will Make
At CnC, data is foundational to our organization’s success. This role will lead key initiatives to design and build large-scale, distributed data systems - both batch and real-time processing. The data will power machine learning models and unlock new product features. You’ll be at the center of cross-functional collaboration, bridging backend, frontend/client, and machine learning engineering teams.
CnC is applying GenAI and large language models (LLMs) to power products that enhance the Airbnb experience in various surfaces including highly used ones like Messaging. We're building a robust ML platform to power our product ambitions.
A Typical Day
- Shape the team’s long-term vision and roadmap in close collaboration with cross-functional partners across Airbnb.
- Build strong relationships with partner engineering teams, including backend, client, data science, analytics, and ML, to drive aligned and impactful outcomes.
- Design, develop, and maintain reliable, scalable data pipelines - both batch and real-time - that collect, process, and serve data from diverse sources across Airbnb.
- Implement robust offline and online feature building processes to enable faster production of ML products.
- Architect and build ML infra and optimize for performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
- Mentor and develop engineers on the team, while also contributing to and influencing the broader data engineering community at Airbnb.
Your Expertise
- 9+ years of relevant industry experience with a Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in CS/EE, or equivalent experience, or 6+ years of experience with a PhD.
- Strong CS fundamentals, and knowledge of architecture and common design patterns.
- You’re passionate about being in a product-focused environment where everyone cares deeply about customer impact.
- You have experience of running data processing pipelines in production using distributed data processing frameworks like Apache Spark or Flink.
- Experience collaborating with client, backend, ml, analytics teams, product and business partners.
- Effectively work across team boundaries to establish overarching data architecture, data flow, and provide guidance to individual teams.
- Experience working on/with end-to-end Machine Learning products.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Key skills/competency
- Data Engineering
- Distributed Systems
- Machine Learning
- Apache Spark
- Flink
- Data Pipelines
- ML Platform
- Scalability
- Real-time Processing
- Communication
Skills & topics
- Staff Software Engineer
- Data Engineering
- Distributed Systems
- Machine Learning
- Apache Spark
- Flink
- Data Pipelines
- ML Platform
- Scalability
- Real-time Processing
- GenAI
- LLMs
- Communication
- Connectivity
- Remote
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 9+ years of experience, CS fundamentals, and expertise in distributed data systems, ML products, and frameworks like Spark/Flink.
- Showcase impact: Quantify your achievements in previous roles, emphasizing your ability to design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines and ML infrastructure.
- Demonstrate collaboration: Provide examples of how you've successfully worked with cross-functional teams (backend, client, ML, analytics, product).
- Prepare for technical interviews: Brush up on CS fundamentals, system design, and common architectural patterns relevant to large-scale data processing and ML.
- Understand Airbnb's culture: Research Airbnb's commitment to community, innovation, and customer impact, and be ready to articulate how your values align.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary focus of the Staff Software Engineer role at Airbnb's Communication & Connectivity team?
- The primary focus is to lead key initiatives in designing and building large-scale, distributed data systems, including batch and real-time processing. These systems will power machine learning models and unlock new product features for Airbnb's Communication and Connectivity organization, with a growing emphasis on GenAI and LLMs.
- What technical experience is most valued for this Staff Software Engineer position at Airbnb?
- The role highly values 9+ years of relevant industry experience, strong CS fundamentals, and knowledge of architecture and common design patterns. Specific experience with running data processing pipelines in production using distributed frameworks like Apache Spark or Flink, and working with end-to-end Machine Learning products is crucial.
- How does Airbnb leverage data and ML in the Communication & Connectivity (CnC) organization?
- The CnC organization uses industry-leading tools, scalable data systems, and cutting-edge ML models to provide insights and empower its products. They are actively applying GenAI and LLMs to enhance the Airbnb experience, particularly in areas like Messaging, and are building a robust ML platform to support these ambitions.
- What is the work arrangement for the Staff Software Engineer role at Airbnb?
- This position is US - Remote Eligible, meaning you can work from home within the United States. However, occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites may be required, as agreed with your manager. You must reside in a state where Airbnb, Inc. has a registered entity.
- What kind of collaboration is expected in this Staff Software Engineer role at Airbnb?
- Expect extensive cross-functional collaboration. You will work closely with backend, frontend/client, data science, analytics, and machine learning engineering teams to drive aligned outcomes. You will also collaborate with product and business partners to establish overarching data architecture and data flow.
- Does Airbnb offer mentorship opportunities for engineers in this role?
- Yes, a key responsibility of this Staff Software Engineer role is to mentor and develop engineers on the team. You will also contribute to and influence the broader data engineering community at Airbnb, indicating a strong culture of knowledge sharing and growth.