Staff Software Engineer, Performance

Airbnb is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to join their Infrastructure Performance team, focusing on optimizing performance across their extensive backend systems. This role sits at the intersection of infrastructure optimization and performance engineering, working with cutting-edge technologies in a company that has facilitated over 2 billion guest arrivals globally.

The position involves working with a diverse range of infrastructure systems, including Kubernetes services, observability infrastructure, data pipelines, and ML infrastructure. You'll be responsible for analyzing, scoping, and delivering performance improvements across the entire backend stack, while building and maintaining strong cross-team relationships.

As a Staff Engineer, you'll lead initiatives to evaluate and implement the latest hardware offerings, optimize JVM performance, and own key pieces of performance infrastructure. The role requires deep technical expertise in performance optimization, with a focus on Java environments and cloud infrastructure. You'll work closely with accomplished engineers and report to the Senior Engineering Manager, Infrastructure.

The compensation package is competitive, ranging from $204,000 to $255,000 USD, with additional benefits including equity and employee travel credits. This is a remote-eligible position within the United States, with occasional office visits or offsites as needed.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of performance optimization experience, deep knowledge of software tuning (particularly in Java), and expertise in cloud infrastructure and containerization. You should be passionate about efficiency, skilled in performance debugging, and able to work effectively across teams to drive improvements in system performance and cost optimization.

This role offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on the performance and efficiency of a platform that connects millions of hosts and guests worldwide. You'll be working at the forefront of performance engineering, implementing solutions that directly affect the user experience of Airbnb's global customer base.