Backend Software Engineer (Python, Java)

About The Company

Hopper is a leading travel technology company committed to transforming the way travelers plan, book, and experience their journeys. Renowned for its innovative use of data and machine learning, Hopper powers one of the most popular travel apps globally, with over 120 million downloads and a strong presence among Gen Z and millennial travelers. The company's mission is to become the world's foremost travel platform by offering transparent, flexible, and cost-effective travel solutions. Hopper's platform integrates proprietary fintech products, providing travelers with unique features such as trip disruption assistance and flexible booking options, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. With a proven track record of rapid growth, Hopper has secured over $750 million USD in funding from prominent investors and continues to expand its global footprint through strategic partnerships and technological innovation.

About The Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Staff Software Engineer to join our dynamic engineering team. In this role, you will be instrumental in developing scalable, intelligent solutions that leverage AI and machine learning to enhance our travel commerce platform. Your expertise will help us build and refine features that connect cardholder behavior to personalized offers, drive incremental spend, and provide deep insights into partner performance. You will work closely with product managers, business partners, and a talented team of engineers to design and implement end-to-end solutions. The ideal candidate is passionate about innovation, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and possesses a strong product mindset. You will primarily focus on backend development using Scala and GCP services, but also have the opportunity to work across the stack, utilizing AI tooling to accelerate development and deployment processes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in distributed system development, preferably in Scala
• Strong proficiency in backend technologies such as Scala and GCP services
• Experience with frontend frameworks like React and TypeScript is a plus
• Stack-agnostic mindset with the ability to quickly learn new programming languages like Go, Python, or Java
• Demonstrated ability to design scalable solutions and foundational patterns for high-availability systems
• Experience working with AI agents, automated workflows, and feedback loops in software development
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a focus on customer experience and product quality
• Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate technical decisions and tradeoffs clearly
• Self-motivated with a drive to explore unknown codebases and deliver results rapidly

Responsibilities

• Identify and implement improvements to the codebase that facilitate faster, safer shipping for both human developers and AI agents
• Collaborate with senior engineers in a trust-based, low-process environment to develop innovative solutions
• Drive architectural decisions and establish scalable patterns for new partner experiences
• Own the full lifecycle of features from backend systems to partner-facing interfaces, utilizing AI tools as needed
• Work directly with product managers and business stakeholders to define, refine, and execute the product roadmap
• Design and maintain guardrails, feedback loops, and automated workflows to ensure AI-assisted development remains reliable and productive
• Contribute to cross-functional teams, providing technical expertise and fostering a culture of continuous improvement
• Stay updated with emerging technologies and incorporate best practices into development processes

Benefits

• Competitive salary with the upside of pre-IPO equity packages
• Unlimited paid time off (PTO) to promote work-life balance
• Carrot Cash travel stipend to support personal travel experiences
• Access to co-working spaces on demand through FlexDesk and a work-from-home stipend
• Generous parental leave policies exceeding industry standards
• 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage
• Access to Disability & Life insurance plans
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for healthcare expenses
• Flexible Spending Accounts (DCA/FSA) and 401(k) retirement plan options
• Open communication with management and leadership fostering a transparent work environment
• Opportunity to work in small, agile teams with significant impact

Equal Opportunity

Hopper is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all employees. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.