Principal Data Engineer - Data & AI, Marketplace

Booking Holdings, Inc.; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual paid time off

Hybrid working

HQ Campus in Amsterdam

Commuting allowance

Wallet credits

Online learning & mentorship

Headspace access

Job summary

Booking.com is seeking a Principal Data Engineer I for Marketplace Data & AI in Amsterdam. You will lead data engineering across tracks, shaping data models, pipelines, and interfaces to enable trusted, discoverable data used by product teams.

The role blends hands-on technical work with architectural leadership, requiring strong English communication and experience with data governance and compliance. Hybrid work with a modern HQ in Amsterdam is offered.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of software development experience.
• Minimum 3 years in lead/architect role.
• Experience in modern Data Management systems, architecture and approaches.
• Experience in applying compliance and regulatory requirements (SOx, GDPR, DMA, …).
• Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Data Governance tooling (DAMA).
• Excellent English communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and build data models, pipelines, and interfaces for cross-track data discovery and trust.
• Lead hands-on work on complex Spark/Flink pipelines and data modelling decisions.
• Propose and validate data infrastructure standards with architects and leads across tracks.
• Collaborate with SEMs, GPMs, and EMs to align data investments with product needs.
• Architect robust data foundations adaptable to MPDAI priorities.

Skills

Software development

Lead Architect

Data management

Data governance

Data quality

English communication

Education

B.sc. or MSc CS

Computer Science degree

Job description

About the Team

Marketplace Data & AI (MPDAI) is the data and AI engine behind how Booking.com understands and serves the traveller — spanning Experimentation, Customer Data Platform, Traveller Intelligence, and AI Experience. We're a multi-craft org (Product, Software Engineering, Data and AI) working across Amsterdam, Tel Aviv and Bangalore, powering Connected Trip and the next generation of AI-native traveller products whilst also serving the entire company for experimentation and AI products.

About the scope and the role:

As a Principal Data Engineer I - Marketplace Data & AI, you will be an overall Data Engineering & leader.

You will:

• Operate across Marketplace Data & AI's tracks — Traveller Intelligence, Experimentation, Benefits & Relevance, AI Experience — connecting and understanding stakeholders across a fast-growing, multi-track organisation
• Design and build the data models, pipelines, and interfaces that let one track's data be discovered, trusted, and used by another, applying data product or data mesh thinking where it genuinely fits
• Get hands-on with the hardest data problems yourself: complex Spark/Flink pipelines, tricky modelling decisions, performance issues nobody else has been able to crack
• Propose what "good" looks like for shared data infrastructure at Booking.com, and pressure-test that thinking with architects, principals, and leads across tracks before asking anyone to adopt it
• Work closely with SEMs, GPMs, and EMs across tracks to make sure any shared data investment is driven by what product teams actually need to build, not architectural elegance for its own sake
• Architect data foundations that stay relevant as MPDAI's tracks and priorities take shape

You are a role model of the Booking.com values:

• Thrive on change and gets things done
• Demand a high standard of excellence in their craft
• Embrace the opportunity to improve
• Understand success starts with accountability and ownership
• Care more about being successful and reaching goals together than individually
• Curious, experiments and continuously learns
• Humble, open, friendly and remember that diversity gives us strength
• You are a key pillar of Data Engineering craft and community

Role Qualifications and Requirements:

• 12+ years of software development experience, minimum 3 years in lead/architect role
• Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science or related field
• Experience in modern Data Management systems, architecture and approaches: Cataloging, Technical Lineage, Data Quality, Knowledge Graphs)
• Experience in applying compliance and regulatory requirements (SOx, GDPR, DMA, …) across services and platforms
• Ability to proactively manage multiple projects, a magnitude of stakeholders
• Knowledge of Data Governance requirements and tooling, e.g. based on DAMA
• Strong knowledge of data quality requirements and implementation methodologies
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Benefits & Perks: Global Impact, Personal Relevance

• 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 credits 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

DEI: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Booking.com

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) have 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 create a unique workplace, it also creates a better and more inclusive travel experience for everyone.”

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the interview process. Please contact us to request adjustments.

Application Process

• The interview process will entail a total of 4 interviews, all conducted via Zoom video conferencing.

Booking.com is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strive to move well beyond traditional equal opportunity and work to create an environment that allows everyone to thrive.

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.