Software Development Engineer II

Traveltechessentialist; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 111,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness reimbursement

Travel discounts

IATAN membership

Job summary

Expedia Group is seeking a Backend Engineer in Chicago to design, build, and evolve scalable backend services and APIs. You will contribute across the software development lifecycle, implement robust data models, and collaborate with product managers and engineers to deliver high-quality services.

The role emphasizes reliability, observability, and security while enabling AI/ML-enabled enhancements. Qualified candidates have a CS degree or equivalent experience, 2+ years in backend development,

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 2+ years of experience delivering production backend services.
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language and knowledge of APIs, data modeling, and system design.
• Experience with service-oriented or microservice architectures and production monitoring.
• Exposure to on-call support and improving systems from operational data.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and evolve backend services and APIs.
• Deliver features across the full SDLC with tests and deployment support.
• Collaborate with engineers and PMs to align requirements and integrate services.
• Improve code quality, reliability, and performance with best practices.
• Participate in code reviews, design discussions, and knowledge sharing.
• Safely integrate AI/ML-enabled components into production backends.

Skills

Backend development

APIs

Data modeling

System design

Algorithms

Education

Bachelor’s in CS

Tools

Microservices

Job description

At Expedia Group, we help travelers explore the world, one journey at a time. As a global travel company powered by passionate people, trusted partnerships, and leading technology, we connect travelers, partners, and advertisers through our consumer brands, B2B network, and travel advertising business.

Here, you'll do meaningful work that helps millions of people discover, book, and experience travel with more ease, confidence, and joy. Our five Behaviors-Traveler First, Think Big, Operate with Excellence, Ownership Mindset, and Succeed Together-help foster a supportive environment where people can grow their careers and have the flexibility, benefits, and support to do their best work. Join us and build for travelers everywhere.

Introduction to Team

Our Expedia Product & Technology division builds innovative products, services, and tools to deliver high-quality experiences for travelers, partners, and our employees. A unified, singular technology platform powered by data and machine learning provides secure, differentiated, and personalized experiences for the traveler and our partners that drive loyalty and customer satisfaction.

In this role, you will:

• Design, build, and evolve reliable, scalable backend services and applications, including system design (LLD), API design, and data modeling for clearly scoped product capabilities.
• Deliver backend features across the full software development lifecycle by implementing designs, writing high-quality code, creating and executing tests, and contributing to deployment, monitoring, and ongoing operational support.
• Collaborate with engineers, product managers, and technical partners to understand requirements, break down work, and implement backend solutions that integrate with multiple services and domains.
• Improve code quality, reliability, and performance by following and contributing to best practices in testing, observability, security, and operational excellence for the services you support.
• Participate in code reviews, design discussions, and knowledge sharing, steadily expanding your technical scope and impact while supporting a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
• Safely integrate and operate AI/ML-enabled solutions that improve outcomes, with familiarity with AI-driven systems, tools, or workflows and applying AI/ML concepts to real world products.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related technical field; or equivalent related professional experience.
• 2+ years of relevant professional software development experience delivering production backend services or applications.
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language commonly used at Expedia Group and solid understanding of algorithms, data structures, object-oriented or functional design, system design (LLD), API design, and data modeling.
• Experience working with service-oriented or microservice architectures, including consuming and implementing APIs, working with data models, and contributing to the reliability, scalability, and security of services.
• Exposure to operating backend services in production environments, such as contributing to monitoring, on‑call support, or improving systems based on operational data and feedback.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience contributing to the design and evolution of distributed backend systems and data models that handle significant traffic or data volume, including working with clear, well‑versioned API contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of well‑defined backend components or features, make sound implementation tradeoffs, and align solutions with established architectural and domain standards.
• Experience improving operational excellence through enhanced observability, automation of repetitive tasks, and improvements to service performance, resilience, or cost efficiency.
• Hands‑on experience using AI‑driven tools, platforms, or workflows in the software development lifecycle, and safely integrating AI/ML‑enabled components into production backend services under guidance from more experienced engineers.
• Experience applying metrics, experimentation, or analytics to inform backend design decisions and improve product or system outcomes.

The total cash range for this position in Chicago is $111,000.00 to $155,500.00. Employees in this role have the potential to increase their pay up to $177,500.00, which is the top of the range, based on ongoing, demonstrated, and sustained performance in the role.

Starting pay for this role will vary based on multiple factors, including location, available budget, and an individual’s knowledge, skills, and experience. Pay ranges may be modified in the future.

Benefits and perks

Expedia Group offers benefits and perks designed to support employees and their families, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, an Employee Assistance Program, wellness and travel reimbursement, travel discounts, and International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN) membership. Learn more about life at Expedia Group at https://careers.expediagroup.com/life.

Accommodation requests

Expedia Group is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruiting experience. If you need an accommodation or adjustment due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please submit a request at https://expedia.service-now.com/askeg?id=job_accommodation.

About Expedia Group

Expedia Group includes three flagship consumer brands - Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo - along with a leading B2B travel business and travel advertising offerings. Across our brands and business, we help travelers explore the world with confidence and ease.

Important notice

Employment opportunities and job offers at Expedia Group will always come from Expedia Group's Talent Acquisition and hiring teams. Never share sensitive personal information unless you are confident of the recipient. Expedia Group does not extend job offers via email or messaging tools to individuals with whom we have not made prior contact. Our email domain is @expediagroup.com. The official place to find and apply for roles is https://careers.expediagroup.com/jobs/.

Equal Opportunity

Expedia is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. 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, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.