Software Architect

Zerolook; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Zerolook is seeking an experienced architect to define and lead the design of a large-scale, high-performance infrastructure serving billions of queries per month. You will own non-functional KPIs, drive security, availability, and disaster recovery, and mentor engineers as the team grows.

You will partner with the founders and key industry players to evolve the core Zerolook offering, shaping architecture from 0 to 1 and setting engineering standards for a fast-paced startup in Switzerland.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelors or Masters in Computer Science or related field.
• Large scale applications: 1K QPS with ~1s latency.
• Broad software architecture: 5+ years leading enterprise apps.
• Engineering foundation: Java, C++, containerization and orchestration.

Responsibilities

• System architecture: define the architecture and lead implementation of large-scale, high-performance infrastructure.
• Enterprise-class application: own KPIs for non-functional requirements incl. security, availability and DR.
• Technical leadership: set standards, mentor engineers as team grows.
• Strategic collaboration: partner with founders and industry orgs on core Zerolook offering.

Skills

Java

C++

System architecture

Leadership

Containerization

Education

Bachelors/Masters in CS

Tools

Helidon SE

Drogon C++

Kubernetes

Job description

Looking for a role that allows you to architect an engine serving billions of queries per month at sub-second latency? We have that!

Zerolook ($1.9M raised in August '26, founded by former Google Flights and Kayak execs) is changing how air travel is priced by offering an alternative to traditional airfare pricing engines. At the core of the offering is a large-scale infrastructure capable of serving the billions of requests generated by people and AI agents. As an early hire, you get to define the architecture at the center of it all.

Tasks

• System Architecture: Define the architecture and design, and lead the implementation of a large-scale, high-performance, cost effective infrastructure.

• Enterprise-class application: own the KPIs for non-functional requirements, including security, scalability, availability, business continuity, and disaster recovery.

• Technical Leadership: set standards and best practices, and hire, lead and mentor other engineers as the team grows.

• Strategic Collaboration: Partner alongside the founders with key organizations in the industry in developing the core Zerolook offering.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelors or Masters in Computer Science or related field.

• Large scale applications: experience building applications serving over 1K QPS at latencies on the order of 1 sec

• Broad Software Architecture experience: 5+ years in leading the design, implementation, and deployment of enterprise class applications.

• Engineering Foundation: extensive knowledge of Java and related Enterprise technologies and frameworks, competency in C++, experience with containerization and orchestration

• Startup DNA: Comfortable with the "0 to 1" phase-ambiguity, fast iteration, and taking extreme ownership.

Bonus Requirements

• Travel Tech: Previous experience with OTAs, metasearch, or GDS/NDC integration is a significant plus.

• Frameworks: experience with Helidon SE, and / or Drogon C++ Web Framework

• Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science

Benefits

Compensation

CHF 140.000-150.000 + significant stock options