Back-end Software Engineer

Join Bókun, a Tripadvisor company, and help transform the tours and activities industry. Our booking management software helps travel operators worldwide increase their bookings and simplify operations. As part of our team, you’ll help develop solutions that improve how businesses in the travel sector operate and grow.

We are looking for a motivated and innovative Back-end Engineer to join our team in Reykjavík, Iceland. This is a fantastic opportunity to build robust, scalable systems that will help shape the future of travel technology. Bókun’s backend has been around for a while, so the work is a mix of building new things and improving what’s already there.

What we’re looking for

Required

• Proficient in Java
• Experience with relational databases (we use MySQL)
• Comfortable communicating in English (our working language)

Nice to have

• Familiarity with search, caching, or message queue systems
• Background in travel, e-commerce, or marketplace platforms

What you’ll do

• Build for real operators. Work on systems used by thousands of tour and activity businesses around the world — what you ship gets used, fast.
• Write code, daily. This is a hands-on engineering role. You’ll spend most of your time building, not in meetings.
• Work end-to-end. Collaborate with product, design, and frontend to take features from idea to production.
• Improve the foundations. Refactor, modernise, and pay down technical debt in a mature codebase that’s earned its complexity honestly.
• Shape the platform. Contribute to architectural decisions and help guide where our backend goes next.
• Collaborate with the best. Join a team of skilled engineers where you’ll brainstorm, refine ideas, and learn from people who care about their craft.

Our stack

Backend

• Java
• Play Framework
• MySQL
• OpenSearch
• Redis
• Amazon SQS

Frontend

• TypeScript
• React
• Tailwind CSS
• TanStack Query & Router
• Next.js (booking management UI)
• React Native (operator app)

Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with every technology — we’re committed to helping you learn and grow!

Working with AI

We take AI seriously, both as a tool and as a product capability.

Every engineer at Bókun has access to Claude Code and other leading AI coding assistants, and we actively encourage their use as part of day-to-day development. We’re experimenting with how these tools fit into our workflows — from writing and reviewing code to exploring our codebase and building internal tooling — and we give engineers space to shape how that evolves.

We’re also building AI-powered features into our product, helping tour operators automate tasks, surface insights, and serve their customers in new ways. If you’re excited about working somewhere that’s investing in AI on both sides of the equation, you’ll feel at home here.

Why Bókun?

• Competitive Compensation: Attractive salary and performance-based bonuses
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible working hours and remote work options
• Career Growth: Continuous learning opportunities and clear paths for advancement
• Global Impact: Your work will be used by millions of travelers and businesses worldwide
• Innovative Environment: Be part of a team that’s pushing the boundaries of travel tech

Perks

• 🏢 Nice office in central Reykjavík
• 🍽️ Delicious daily lunch provided
• ☕ Top-notch coffee and snacks to fuel your creativity
• 🚗 Convenient indoor car parking
• 🏋️ On-site gym with a hot tub (World Class)
• 🧘 Lifestyle and wellness benefits
• 🎉 Regular team events and activities

Application process

1. Initial call (30 minutes): Connect with our recruiter to learn more about the role and share your background.
2. Technical screening (45 minutes): Interview to assess your technical expertise, provide insight into our work, and gauge your interest in advancing further.
3. Coding assignment: Solve a simple coding assignment at your own pace.
4. On-site interviews (around 3 hours total): Meet the team, tour the office, and engage in technical discussions, job-relevant coding exercises, and cultural fit conversations with team members.

Ready to Shape the Future of Travel?

If you’re excited about creating innovative solutions that impact millions of travelers and businesses globally, we want to hear from you!