Associate Software Engineer

About the role

Join KAYAK's Cars Meta UI team to develop the user interface for our car search experience. This role focuses on front-end development, contributing to a platform used by millions of travelers daily. You will grow your skills within a supportive team environment. You will partner closely with product and design to translate business requirements into intuitive, responsive user interfaces that enhance the traveler journey. The position emphasizes ownership of specific features from initial concept through production deployment, ensuring your work has a direct impact on the product. You will refine your engineering practices by leveraging modern tooling and collaborating effectively within an agile framework. Success in this role requires curiosity, a commitment to quality, and the ability to learn quickly within a fast-paced setting. Your contributions will help shape how millions of users discover and book rental cars across the globe.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop front-end features for KAYAK's car search platform, taking ownership of end-to-end implementation with mentorship.
• Write clean and maintainable code using React and TypeScript, adhering to team quality standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and backend engineers to build user-facing experiences for web and mobile.
• Participate actively in code reviews, offering constructive feedback and incorporating suggestions from peers.
• Create unit, integration, and end-to-end tests to validate functionality and ensure software reliability and robustness.
• Utilize AI coding tools to accelerate development speed, improve code quality, and explore innovative solutions.
• Engage in agile ceremonies including sprint planning, daily standups, and retrospectives to drive continuous improvement.
• Debug complex user interface issues by analyzing behavior across different browsers and devices to deliver consistent experiences.
• Contribute to the evolution of the design system by implementing reusable components that enhance consistency and efficiency.
• Monitor application performance and implement optimizations that improve load times and user satisfaction.
• Document technical decisions and processes to support knowledge sharing and long-term maintainability.
• Support the deployment pipeline by working with CI/CD tools to ensure smooth and reliable releases.
• Assist in triaging user feedback and bug reports to prioritize work and address critical issues promptly.
• Mentor junior developers by providing guidance, code examples, and constructive feedback to foster professional growth.

Requirements

• A degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field, or a strong portfolio demonstrating practical skills.
• Fundamental knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build semantic and accessible user interfaces.
• Experience with React or a similar modern UI framework to create dynamic and responsive applications.
• Familiarity with Git for version control and collaborative coding workflows.
• Ability to use AI coding tools to improve development efficiency, code quality, and problem-solving approaches.
• Clear communication skills and a collaborative approach to teamwork, feedback, and cross-functional coordination.
• Capacity to work in a hybrid model, attending the Cambridge or Concord office at least 3 days per week to support team collaboration.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to learn new technologies and adapt to changing requirements.
• Attention to detail to ensure high-quality deliverables that meet functional and design specifications.
• A passion for building scalable and maintainable software solutions that enhance the user experience.

Nice to have

• Exposure to TypeScript for improved code reliability and development experience.

Practical notes

• Employees can work remotely for up to 20 days per year.
• Benefits include company-paid therapy sessions via SpringHealth and a HeadSpace subscription.
• The company observes a full week off annually for team-wide recharge.
• Fridays are designated as no-meeting days to support focused work.
• Paid parental leave is provided to support major life events.
• Generous paid vacation and a day off for your birthday are included in the time-off policy.
• Paid volunteer time is offered to encourage community engagement and personal values.
• Career growth is supported through Development Dollars, leadership development programs, and e-learning access.
• Travel discounts are available to help you explore new destinations and gain fresh perspectives.
• Competitive retirement and health plans are provided to ensure financial and physical well-being.
• Free lunch is offered two days per week to support nutrition and team interaction.
• Quarterly social events are organized to strengthen team relationships and celebrate achievements.
• KAYAK supports adjustments for interviews, applications, or on-the-job accommodations to ensure an inclusive experience.