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- Tasks: Design and develop real-time ad serving logic 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: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make an impact in programmatic advertising while working with cutting-edge technology.
- 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 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.
Senior/Lead Software Engineer — Real-Time Ad Serving (LiveIntent) employer: Zeta Global
Contact Detail:
Zeta Global Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Lead Software Engineer — Real-Time Ad Serving (LiveIntent)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at meetups. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repo showcasing your projects, especially those related to real-time systems or Lua. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your coding skills and understanding the company’s tech stack. Practice common algorithms and data structures, as they might pop up during technical interviews.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Lead Software Engineer — Real-Time Ad Serving (LiveIntent)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior Software Engineer. Highlight your experience with backend development, especially in languages like C++ and Lua, and showcase any relevant projects that demonstrate your skills in real-time systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about the role and how your background aligns with Zeta's mission. Don't forget to mention your willingness to learn Lua if you haven't worked with it before.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, include examples of how you've tackled complex problems in past projects. This could be anything from optimising performance to designing scalable systems. We love seeing how you think!
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 Zeta Global
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re familiar with C++ and Lua, as these are crucial for the role. Brush up on your knowledge of backend development and be ready to discuss how you've used these languages in past projects.
✨Understand Real-Time Systems
Since you'll be working on real-time ad serving, it’s essential to grasp the concepts of latency and high-performance systems. Prepare examples of how you've optimised performance in previous roles or projects.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
This role involves close collaboration with Product teams. Be ready to share experiences where you’ve worked cross-functionally, highlighting how you contributed to delivering features that met user needs.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of algorithms and data structures. Prepare to solve problems on the spot, demonstrating your thought process and approach to coding challenges.