At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop business logic for real-time ad serving using Lua and C++.
- Company: Join Zeta Global, a leading AI-powered marketing cloud company.
- Benefits: Enjoy excellent medical coverage, remote work options, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the fast-paced world of programmatic advertising.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in backend development; experience with Lua is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Zeta Global (NYSE: ZETA) is the AI-Powered Marketing Cloud that leverages advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and trillions of consumer signals to make it easier for marketers to acquire, grow, and retain customers more efficiently. Through the Zeta Marketing Platform (ZMP), our vision is to make sophisticated marketing simple by unifying identity, intelligence, and omnichannel activation into a single platform – powered by one of the industry’s largest proprietary databases and AI.
As a Senior Software Engineer on the LiveIntent Real-Time Ad Serving team, you will design, develop, and own the business logic that powers programmatic advertising at scale — ad selection, targeting, frequency capping, budget pacing, and delivery optimization. The real-time platform is built on C++ and Lua: C++ provides the high-performance server framework, while Lua implements the business logic layer. You will work primarily in Lua, developing and evolving the features that directly serve LiveIntent's product — ensuring advertisers get the best outcomes and publishers maximize their revenue.
This is a hands‑on engineering role where your code runs in production handling billions of daily transactions. This is a hybrid/remote role based out of our Berlin, Germany or Prague, Czech Republic offices.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES- Develop and optimize business logic in Lua for ad selection, targeting, frequency capping, and budget pacing
- Design, build, and maintain real‑time services processing 200K+ requests per second with strict latency requirements
- Work closely with Product to deliver features that meet advertiser and publisher needs
- Ensure code quality through code reviews, automated testing, and continuous integration
- Participate in architecture discussions and influence the technical roadmap
- Participate in on‑call rotation to support production systems
- 5+ years of software engineering experience in backend development
- Deep understanding of computer science fundamentals: data structures, algorithms, performance optimization
- Experience building and operating distributed systems in production
- Exposure to the full software development lifecycle — from design to production and monitoring
- Strong commitment to code quality, automated testing, and documentation
- Proficient English (the interview process will be held in English)
- Experience with Lua or willingness to learn (we provide time and the right environment)
- Experience in online advertising / ad tech (RTB, programmatic, DSP/SSP) is a plus
- Proficiency in a systems‑level language (C++, Go, Rust, or Java) is a plus
- Experience with MongoDB and real‑time data processing is a plus
- Experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS) at scale is a plus
- Experience with AI‑assisted development tools and agentic workflows is a plus
- Experience with OpenRTB protocol and ad exchange integrations is a plus
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage
Zeta considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Zeta discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. We’re committed to building a workplace culture of trust and belonging, so everyone feels invited to bring their whole selves to work. We provide a forum for employees to celebrate, support and advocate for one another.
Senior Software Engineer — Real-Time Ad Serving in London employer: Skydrop
Zeta Global is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for Senior Software Engineers to thrive. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work while benefiting from excellent medical coverage and opportunities for professional growth. The hybrid/remote work model based in vibrant cities like Berlin and Prague offers a unique advantage, allowing for a balanced work-life experience in dynamic environments.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer — Real-Time Ad Serving in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with current employees at Zeta Global. A personal connection can make all the difference when it comes to landing that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a GitHub or portfolio, make sure to highlight projects that showcase your backend development experience, especially in languages like C++ or Lua. This is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your computer science fundamentals. Be ready to discuss data structures, algorithms, and performance optimisation. We want to see how you think and solve problems!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer — Real-Time Ad Serving in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Coding:When you're writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for software engineering! Share specific projects or experiences that highlight your skills and passion for coding, especially in backend development.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the role of Senior Software Engineer. Highlight your experience with Lua or your willingness to learn it, as well as any relevant work in online advertising or ad tech.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and skills, making it easy for us to see how you fit into our team and the role.
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 serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Skydrop
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re familiar with C++ and Lua, as these are key to the role. Brush up on your knowledge of backend development principles and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in past projects.
✨Understand Real-Time Systems
Since you'll be working on real-time ad serving, it’s crucial to understand the challenges of processing high volumes of requests with low latency. Prepare examples from your experience that demonstrate your ability to optimise performance under pressure.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
This role involves close collaboration with Product teams. Be ready to discuss how you’ve worked with cross-functional teams in the past, and think about how you can contribute to delivering features that meet both advertiser and publisher needs.
✨Show Your Commitment to Quality
Zeta values code quality and automated testing. Be prepared to talk about your approach to code reviews, testing strategies, and how you ensure your code is production-ready. Highlight any experience you have with continuous integration practices.
