Software Architect
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 23, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 21, 2026.
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
If you are ready to build the infrastructure that will power the next generation of travel search, we want to hear from you.