Distributed Systems Engineer 5 - Core Ad Serving Platform

- Architect and operate backend services for core ad decisioning : Design and build scalable, modular backend frameworks for targeting, frequency management, pacing, and policy enforcement.

- Design APIs and data models : Create clean, scalable interfaces and data schemas that enable seamless interoperability across the Ad Platform ecosystem.

- Optimize high-throughput serving : Build services that manage ad selection and delivery consistency, ensuring low-latency performance in high-traffic, distributed environments.

- Drive operational excellence : Implement SLO-driven development and proactive capacity planning, and own the incident response lifecycle for the core serving stack.

- Instrument platform reliability : Develop comprehensive diagnostics, logging, and telemetry frameworks to ensure deep observability into system health and reliability.

- Maintain ad-tech domain expertise : Utilize deep knowledge of advertising concepts (publisher policies, frequency caps, targeting) to ensure the platform meets industry standards and business requirements.

- 7+ years of experience, with at least 4+ years in the Ads domain.

- Expertise in building and operating highly-available, distributed systems at massive scale.

- Hands-on experience building core ad server components: decisioning logic, ad selection, pacing, ranking, scoring, and frequency capping.

- Deep understanding of ad-tech ecosystem standards and business requirements (e.g., targeting, policy enforcement, and frequency management).

- Proven ability to design scalable APIs and data models that support complex, multi-service ecosystems.

- Strong communication skills with the ability to partner effectively with cross-functional product and engineering teams.

- Experience working in the CTV space and familiarity with its unique delivery constraints.

- Expertise in high-throughput data processing systems and telemetry frameworks for large-scale production environments.

- Familiarity with cloud-native infrastructure, deployment automation, and SLO-driven development.

Generally, our compensation structure consists solely of an annual salary; we do not have bonuses. You choose each year how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options. To determine your personal top of market compensation, we rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, skills, and experience to determine your compensation in the market range.

The range for this role is $388,000.00 - $619,000.00.

Netflix provides comprehensive benefits including Health Plans, Mental Health support, a 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match, Stock Option Program, Disability Programs, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, Family-forming benefits, and Life and Serious Injury Benefits. We also offer paid leave of absence programs.

Full-time hourly employees accrue 35 days annually for paid time off to be used for vacation, holidays, and sick paid time off. Full-time salaried employees are immediately entitled to flexible time off. See more details about our Benefits here .

Netflix is a unique culture and environment. Learn more here .

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.