At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and implement real-time ads auction systems for Roku’s CTV advertising platform.
- Company: Join Roku, a leader in transforming how the world watches TV.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible remote work, comprehensive health benefits, and mental wellness support.
- Other info: Collaborative hybrid work environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a measurable impact in a high-scale marketplace with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in distributed backend services, strong Java coding skills, and familiarity with ad tech concepts.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Teamwork makes the stream work. Roku is changing how the world watches TV.
About the Team
The Advertising Performance group focuses on performance for all participants in the Advertising ecosystem - Advertisers, Publishers and Roku. The systems and solutions span across different disciplines and technologies to perform real-time multi-objective optimization with distributed systems at large scale and low latencies. We use Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, AI, Control and Optimization Systems and Auction Dynamics to solve a large set of complex problems. At the core of this is our Machine Learning, Experimentation and Inference Platform that powers the entire landscape which we continuously evolve over time.
About the Role
In this role, you will contribute to the Ads Auction and Marketplace systems that optimize yield, gross profit, and real-time multi-objective outcomes across short- and long-term goals. You will work on core auction capabilities, low-latency services, and scalable integrations that support Roku’s CTV advertising platform. You will partner closely with Engineering, Inventory, Product, and Data Science teams to translate business objectives into robust technical solutions. You will help design, implement, and evaluate auction improvements through experimentation and performance analysis. This is a strong fit for an engineer who enjoys distributed systems, real-time decisioning, and measurable impact in a high-scale marketplace.
What You'll Be Doing
- Contribute to the design and implementation of real-time ads auction systems for Roku’s CTV advertising platform.
- Build and improve auction features including ad pod construction, bid evaluation, ranking, pricing, pacing, and frequency capping.
- Develop low-latency, reliable services that handle high-scale ad serving with strict performance and uptime requirements.
- Implement auction logic that balances advertiser performance, publisher yield, and platform revenue.
- Work on SSP-side auction integration with DSPs, programmatic demand sources, and direct-sold campaigns.
- Collaborate with product managers, data scientists, and researchers to translate requirements into scalable solutions.
- Support yield optimization through auction enhancements, pricing experiments, and demand optimization features.
- Participate in A/B testing and experimentation, analyze results, and help implement data-driven improvements.
- Help ensure auction correctness and compliance with privacy, regulatory, and brand-safety requirements.
- Contribute to technical discussions around architecture, scalability, and performance optimization.
We're Excited If You Have
- Experience building distributed backend services at scale.
- Strong coding skills in Java and familiarity with service-oriented architectures.
- Experience with low-latency systems and real-time decisioning workflows.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms and containerized deployments.
- Working knowledge of ad tech concepts such as auctions, pacing, and frequency controls.
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders across product and data teams.
- Comfort with experimentation frameworks and A/B testing analysis.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a focus on reliability, observability, and maintainability.
Our Hybrid Work Approach
Roku fosters an inclusive and collaborative environment where teams work in the office Monday through Thursday. Fridays are flexible for remote work except for employees whose roles are required to be in the office five days a week or employees who are in offices with a five day in office policy.
Benefits
Roku is committed to offering a diverse range of benefits as part of our compensation package to support our employees and their families. Our comprehensive benefits include global access to mental health and financial wellness support and resources. Local benefits include statutory and voluntary benefits which may include healthcare (medical, dental, and vision), life, accident, disability, commuter, and retirement options (401(k)/pension). Employees are supported in taking time off, in accordance with local leave policies and other personal needs to support their evolving work and life needs. It's important to note that not every benefit is available in all locations or for every role. For details specific to your location, please consult with your recruiter.
Accommodations
Roku welcomes applicants of all backgrounds and provides reasonable accommodations and adjustments in accordance with applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation at any point in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries to.
Senior Software Engineer, Ads Auction Platform in Cambridge employer: Roku, Inc.
Roku is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration within a dynamic work environment. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes mental health support, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth. Our inclusive culture encourages teamwork and creativity, making it an ideal place for talented engineers to thrive and make a meaningful impact in the rapidly evolving advertising technology landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer, Ads Auction Platform in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at Roku. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or side projects, make sure to highlight them during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise in distributed systems and real-time decisioning.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical discussions! Brush up on your coding skills in Java and be ready to discuss low-latency systems. We want to see how you think through problems and come up with solutions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer, Ads Auction Platform in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Tech:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for technology and software engineering shine through. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about building distributed systems and optimising performance.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in low-latency systems and real-time decision-making workflows. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your skills in Java and cloud platforms.
Collaborate and Communicate:Since teamwork is key for us, emphasise your ability to work with cross-functional teams. Share examples of how you've collaborated with product managers or data scientists to translate complex requirements into effective solutions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Roku, Inc.
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems, low-latency services, and real-time decision-making workflows. Be ready to discuss your experience with Java and any relevant projects you've worked on that showcase your coding skills.
✨Understand the Ad Tech Landscape
Familiarise yourself with key ad tech concepts like auctions, pacing, and frequency controls. This will help you speak confidently about how your skills can contribute to optimising yield and performance in Roku's advertising ecosystem.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since this role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with product managers, data scientists, or other stakeholders. Highlight how you translated business objectives into technical solutions.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you approached solving them. Emphasise your focus on reliability, observability, and maintainability, especially in high-scale environments.
