Staff Software Engineer

Liftoff Mobile; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Liftoff is seeking a senior frontend/SDK engineer to own the technical direction for new ad formats within our mobile ad SDKs, guiding cross-platform architecture decisions and ensuring low-latency, high-throughput delivery.

You will mentor engineers, drive cross-team initiatives, shape testing standards, and contribute to hiring. This role offers hybrid work from London and collaboration with product and engineering teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field.
• 6 years of relevant experience.
• Deep expertise in JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5.
• Experience shaping Agile processes and influencing direction.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical direction for new ad format development in the SDK.
• Lead ambiguous cross-team initiatives from problem definition through rollout.
• Improve system efficiency, reliability, and rendering performance.
• Set testing strategy and standards across the team.
• Design experimentation and canary-release strategy for ad units.
• Mentor engineers and guide junior staff.
• Represent the team in cross-functional roadmap discussions.
• Help define engineering bar for code quality, security, and production hygiene.
• Contribute to hiring and leveling interviews.

Skills

JavaScript ES6+

CSS preprocessors

HTML5

Agile methodologies

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related fields

Job description

Liftoff is a leading AI-powered performance marketing platform for the mobile app economy. Our end-to-end technology stack helps app marketers acquire and retain high-value users, while enabling publishers to maximize revenue across programmatic and direct demand.

Liftoff’s solutions, including Accelerate, Direct, Monetize, Intelligence, and Vungle Exchange, support over 6,600 mobile businesses across 74 countries in sectors such as gaming, social, finance, ecommerce, and entertainment. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Redwood City, CA, Liftoff has a diverse, global presence.

About this team

At Liftoff, the View Master team plays a crucial role in the company's success. Our team builds mobile SDKs (iOS, Android, Windows), and systems that connect Liftoff’s publishers with advertisers, managing applications, campaigns, and creatives that feed into our ad serving pipeline. We create innovative advertisements viewed by millions daily, ensuring a seamless user experience and optimizing ad performance. We're a group of innovative engineers who leverage the latest technology to develop efficient and scalable systems. If you're passionate about building and scaling low-latency, high-throughput systems, we'd be delighted to speak with you!

Responsibilities

• Own the technical direction for new ad format development in the SDK, driving decisions on native/web architecture and cross-platform compatibility without needing detailed direction
• Independently scope and lead ambiguous, cross-team initiatives from problem definition through rollout — e.g., overhauling automation quality and creative/SDK interoperability
• Drive multi-quarter improvements to system efficiency, reliability, and rendering performance, owning tradeoffs between short- and long-term solutions
• Set and evangelize testing strategy and standards (unit, integration, automated) across the team, not just execute against existing practices
• Design and drive experimentation and canary-release strategy for ad unit performance, including recommending which approaches to pursue
• Technically lead and mentor other engineers on the team, including guiding junior/mid-level engineers' project work and growth (not just informal mentorship)
• Represent the team in cross-functional and roadmap discussions, influencing prioritization and scope rather than only attending for alignment
• Uphold and help define the team's engineering bar for code quality, security/privacy, cost efficiency, and production hygiene (oncall, monitoring, documentation)
• Contribute to hiring and leveling: participate in interviews, help hold the technical bar for the role

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related fields and 6 years of relevant experience
• Deep expertise in JavaScript (ES6+), CSS preprocessors, and HTML5, with demonstrated ability to make architectural decisions in this stack
• Experience working in and helping shape Agile processes for a team
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to influence technical direction across engineering and product without formal authority

Nice to Have

• Previous AdTech experience is highly valued
• Experience developing mobile applications
• Advanced automated testing strategies using tools such as AWS Device Farm, iOS and Android simulators, Playwright, Selenium, etc.

Location

This role is eligible for remote or hybrid work out of our London office.

Travel Expectations

We offer several opportunities for in-person team gatherings, including but not limited to project meetings, regional meet-ups, and company-wide events. We expect our employees to attend these gatherings at least once per quarter. These gatherings provide essential opportunities for collaboration, communication, and team building.

Compensation

Liftoff offers all employees a full compensation package that includes equity and health/vision/dental benefits associated with your country of residence. Base compensation will vary based on the candidate's location and experience.

Liftoff offers a fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative work environment where employees are empowered to grow and make an impact. We’re shaping the future of the mobile app ecosystem—join us and help accelerate what’s next.

Liftoff’s compensation strategy includes competitive salaries, equity, and benefits designed to support employee well‑being and performance. We benchmark compensation based on role, level, and location to ensure fairness and market alignment. Benefits may include medical coverage, wellness stipends, and additional perks based on your country of residence.

Liftoff is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.