Software Engineer I - AI Application Platform

Your New Company: At Booking.com, data drives our decisions. Technology is at our core. And innovation is everywhere. But our company is more than datasets, lines of code or A/B tests. We’re the thrill of the first night in a new place. The excitement of the next morning. The friends you make. The journeys you take. The sights you see. And the food you sample. Through our products, partners and people, we make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

As a Software Engineer working on the AI Application Platform, you will work at the intersection of scalable backend systems and cutting-edge AI. You will have the opportunity to design and build the core platform that enables product teams to rapidly develop and deploy AI-powered experiences for millions of people. You will tackle complex performance and scaling challenges, shape the foundation of our AI infrastructure, and collaborate closely with ML engineers, data engineers, and data scientists to bring intelligent systems into production at scale.

• Design and evaluate architecture solutions for AI infrastructure, rapidly prototyping to validate key assumptions and guide decision-making.
• Build and maintain scalable, reusable backend services that support real-time AI/ML inference, model deployment, and data pipelines.
• Collaborate closely with ML engineers, data engineers, and data scientists to bring AI/ML models into production and optimize system performance.
• Take end‑to‑end ownership of system reliability and operational excellence, including performance tuning, observability and incident management.
• Continuously grow technical and interpersonal skills through hands‑on experience, knowledge sharing sessions, and industry events.

• 1-3 years of professional experience in software engineering, with a focus on backend or platform development.
• Experience in feature engineering, integrating AI/ML models into production systems, and understanding model behavior, performance and constraints.
• Experience building AI agents and components such as memory, context engineering, retrieval, and orchestration.
• Experience working in cross‑functional teams alongside ML engineers, data scientists, and product stakeholders to bring AI/ML products to production.
• Experience building distributed systems at scale, with a focus on performance tuning, observability, and reliability best practices.
• Experience with scalable data storage systems (e.g. MySQL, Redis) and optimizing data access and caching for high‑throughput applications.
• Proficiency in one or more server‑side programming languages such as Java, Scala, or Python.
• Experience with containerization tools like Docker and Kubernetes, and deploying applications in cloud environments such as AWS or GCP.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, take ownership of complex problems, and drive them to resolution.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent industry experience.

• Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including parental (22‑weeks paid leave), grandparent, bereavement, and care leave.
• Hybrid working including flexible working arrangements, working from home furniture and ergonomic support, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country).
• A beautiful sustainable HQ Campus in Amsterdam, that offers on‑site meals, coffee, and snacks, multi-faith and breastfeeding rooms at the office.
• Commuting allowance and bike reimbursement scheme.
• Discounts & Wallet to spend on our products, upgrade to Booking.com Genius Level 3, and friends & family Booking.com discount vouchers.
• Free access to online learning platforms, development and mentorship programs.
• Global Employee Assistance Program, free Headspace membership.

Inclusion at Booking.com:

Inclusion has been a core part of our company culture since day one. This ongoing journey starts with our very own employees, who represent over 140 nationalities and a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations.

Take it from our Chief People Officer, Paulo Pisano: “At Booking.com, the diversity of our people doesn’t just build an outstanding workplace, it also creates a better and inclusive travel experience for everyone. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. It’s a place where you can make your mark and have a real impact in travel and tech.”

We ensure that colleagues with disabilities are provided the adjustments and tools they need to participate in the job application and interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Key Skills

MySQL, Redis, Java, Scala, Python, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud, AWS, GCP

Pre‑Employment Screening

If your application is successful, your personal data may be used for a pre‑employment screening check by a third party as permitted by applicable law. Depending on the vacancy and applicable law, a pre‑employment screening may include employment history, education and other information (such as media information) that may be necessary for determining your qualifications and suitability for the position.