Senior Backend Engineer - AdCo

As a Senior Backend Engineer at AdCo, your primary responsibilities include collaborating with internal partners to design scalable backend systems and APIs, architecting and developing Java services deployed to millions of users, and working closely with data engineers to maintain batch and real-time data pipelines using frameworks like Scio and Flink. Your role also involves mentoring junior engineers, facilitating collaboration between teams, and identifying solutions to complex problems.

To be a successful Senior Backend Engineer at AdCo, you should have at least 5 years of working experience with Java and/or Scala, in addition to familiarity with cloud services such as GCP, AWS, and Azure. Experience with containerization tools like Kubernetes and Docker is also essential. A deep understanding of system design, data structures, and algorithms, coupled with the ability to communicate effectively across stakeholders, will set you apart in this role.

In the Senior Backend Engineer position at AdCo, you play a crucial role in advancing the team's mission to build a next-gen advertising platform. By architecting resilient backend systems and collaborating closely with data engineers, you help ensure that our ad platform is both scalable and efficient. Your technical leadership and willingness to mentor junior staff members also foster a collaborative environment where innovation thrives.

At AdCo, Senior Backend Engineers can look forward to a dynamic and flexible work environment that promotes collaboration and innovation. The team operates within the EST time zone, allowing for direct teamwork and communication. Spotify values diversity and inclusion, creating a workplace where you can bring your unique experiences to the team and contribute to our shared mission in a meaningful way.

AdCo, as part of Spotify, offers a competitive benefits package to its Senior Backend Engineers, including health insurance, a six-month paid parental leave, a 401(k) retirement plan, a monthly meal allowance, and generous paid time off. This commitment to employee well-being reflects Spotify's understanding of the importance of work-life balance and support for personal and professional growth.

When asked about your experience with Java services, highlight specific projects where you've architected, developed, or optimized Java applications. Discuss how you've deployed these services at scale and any challenges you overcame related to performance or scalability.

Discuss your methodology for designing scalable APIs, including techniques you've used to ensure they meet user demands. Mention how you engage with stakeholders to gather requirements and adapt your designs based on feedback, ensuring both usability and performance.

Outline your strategies for mentoring, such as regular check-ins, code reviews, and creating opportunities for junior engineers to lead small projects. Emphasize the importance of fostering a supportive learning environment where questions are encouraged.

Talk about your approach to ambiguity by emphasizing communication and iterative feedback. Detail how you engage stakeholders to clarify requirements, and your ability to adapt as new information emerges during the project lifecycle.

Describe specific projects where you've leveraged cloud services like AWS or GCP, and any containerization technologies like Docker or Kubernetes you've utilized. Highlight how these tools improved deployment processes and the overall efficiency of your systems.

Share a concise example of a challenging issue you faced in backend development, explaining the context, your analytical process, and the steps you took to resolve it. Emphasize the impact your solution had on the overall project.

Discuss your methods for performance tuning, including profiling tools you've used, common bottlenecks you’ve addressed, and architectural changes you've implemented to enhance scalability and efficiency of Java applications.

Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning by mentioning resources you utilize, such as online courses, webinars, or tech meetups. Highlight any recent technologies you’ve explored that would be relevant to the Senior Backend Engineer role at AdCo.

Articulate your belief in data-driven decision-making by discussing how you utilize analytics and metrics to inform your engineering choices. Share examples where data insights led to enhancements in system design or performance.

Describe your strategy for prioritizing tasks in an agile environment, focusing on collaboration with product owners and understanding the impact of each task on project deliverables. Mention tools you use to manage backlogs and track progress.