Staff Backend Engineer — Lead Scalable Systems & Growth
The Trade Desk About the role
The Trade Desk, London, is seeking a Staff Engineer to own the design, build and operation of backend systems powering a high-traffic data platform.
You will mentor engineers, review designs, and drive technical direction across teams to balance reliability, performance, and delivery speed.
You will work in a collaborative, globally distributed environment, contributing to scalable infrastructure and reporting systems, with a clear path toward people management as the team grows in London.
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Your tasks
Design and build backend systems for a high-traffic data platform.
Your profile
Experience in backend engineering and strong leadership skills.
What's also included
Competitive salary, mentorship opportunities, and a clear path to management.
Tech stack & ways of working
Staff Backend Engineer — Lead Scalable Systems & Growth employer: The Trade Desk
The Trade Desk is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture in the heart of Greater London that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have access to continuous learning opportunities and the chance to lead impactful projects in AI-driven reporting and analytics. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values your expertise and encourages meaningful contributions to shape the future of data-driven decision-making.
Your perspectives
Join a collaborative team and make a real impact on scalable infrastructure.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at The Trade Desk or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to The Trade Desk.
Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like The Trade Desk.
Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like The Trade Desk that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills
When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio
For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at The Trade Desk.
Craft a killer cover letter
Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at The Trade Desk and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise
When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Trade Desk
Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If The Trade Desk uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
