Staff Software Engineer, Search

As a Staff Software Engineer, Search at Realtor.com, your responsibilities will include serving as a technical lead for key projects, focusing on the architecture and development of scalable backend services and search functionalities. You will develop AI-native services and design high-performance search platforms using Elasticsearch, ensuring relevance and speed for millions of users. Additionally, you'll collaborate with cross-functional teams for product innovation and optimization.

To apply for the Staff Software Engineer, Search position at Realtor.com, you should have at least 7 years of software development experience with expertise in search technologies like Elasticsearch. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science/Engineering or equivalent experience is required. Proven leadership ability, strong communication skills, and experience with cloud architectures like AWS are also essential.

In the role of Staff Software Engineer, Search at Realtor.com, you will work with cutting-edge technologies such as AWS services, Elasticsearch, and Node.js. Your focus will be on integrating machine learning models into the search platform and optimizing high-performance functionalities to enhance user experiences.

Realtor.com is committed to employee development by providing opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth. As a Staff Software Engineer, Search, you’ll have access to a mentorship program, tuition reimbursement for further education, and personalized financial planning sessions to support your professional and personal development.

The work culture at Realtor.com is inclusive and collaborative, valuing creativity and innovation while ensuring rich in-person interactions. Most employees work three or more days in the office, fostering a supportive environment that helps build strong relationships and encourages professional growth.

In answering this question, highlight specific projects where you developed or optimized search platforms, discussing the technologies used, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved. Emphasize your role in making those platforms scalable and efficient.

Discuss methods such as analyzing user data, conducting A/B testing, and implementing feedback loops. Mention any specific tools or algorithms you’ve used to enhance search relevance, focusing on your thought process and results.

Share your experiences related to cross-functional teamwork, how you communicate with product managers and stakeholders, and provide examples of successful collaborations. Highlight the importance of diverse viewpoints in achieving project goals.

Choose a relevant project and go into detail about the feature, the technical challenges encountered during its development, and how you overcame those hurdles. Be sure to discuss your thought process and the team dynamics involved.

Think of a specific instance where your ideas led to a significant improvement or innovation in a product or process. Share the impact of your contributions and how they benefited your previous employer.

Detail your methodology for identifying performance bottlenecks—mention profiling tools and metrics you use. Provide an example of how your optimizations improved a service's performance and user experience.

Discuss any machine learning models you have integrated into search systems, including the purpose of the models, the technology stack used, and the results of these integrations. Tailor your experience to highlight relevance to Realtor.com’s goals.

Emphasize your mentorship style—whether it's through coding reviews, one-on-one sessions, or promoting a culture of learning and feedback. Share a success story about a mentee’s growth under your guidance.

Mention specific resources you use, such as blogs, courses, or conferences related to search technologies. Sharing your proactive approach to learning demonstrates your commitment to professional growth.

Reflect on your career aspirations and how the role at Realtor.com fits into your growth trajectory. Discuss your passion for the real estate industry and your desire to lead cutting-edge projects that revolutionize user experiences.