Principal Software Engineer (Ads Platform)

TL;DR

Principal Software Engineer (Ads Platform): Building next-generation ad formats and backend infrastructure to deliver high-value conversion solutions with an accent on scalability, availability, and performance. Focus on providing technical direction across the company, architecting distributed systems, and integrating AI tools to optimize advertising performance.

Location: Must work in an office 4+ days per week (Bellevue, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Santa Monica, or Seattle)

Company

Snap Inc. is a technology company focused on visual messaging and camera-based products, including hirify.global, Bitmoji, and Specs.

What you will do

• Build and innovate next-generation ad formats and backend infrastructure.
• Design and ship scalable services while upholding rigorous standards for code correctness and security.
• Provide technical direction that influences the entire company.
• Collaborate across teams to evaluate trade-offs and deliver performance advertising solutions.
• Utilize AI tools and high-velocity engineering workflows to optimize ad delivery and conversion.
• Advocate for best practices in availability, scalability, and operational excellence.

Requirements

• 10+ years of post-Bachelor’s software development experience (or equivalent Master’s/PhD experience).
• 2+ years of experience in technical leadership or acting as a domain expert.
• Proven track record of operating highly-available distributed systems at scale.
• Excellent programming, debugging, and performance analysis skills.
• Ability to proactively learn and apply evolving AI systems and engineering trends.
• Must be able to work onsite 4+ days per week in designated US office locations.

Nice to have

• Ads domain expertise.
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale projects in attribution and measurement.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive medical coverage and emotional/mental health support.
• Paid parental leave.
• Compensation packages including long-term success sharing.
• Collaborative "Default Together" culture focused on in-person innovation.