Lead Software Engineer (C++) - Ad Tech & Distributed Systems - FreeWheel

Blueface Ltd; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 153,000 - 229,000; Full time

Job summary

FreeWheel is seeking a Lead Software Engineer (C++) to join a large-scale, real-time advertising platform. You will design and optimize high-performance C++ services, handling millions of concurrent requests with ultra-low latency across multi-region cloud environments.

You will work on architecture, performance tuning, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure reliability and scalability in production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of professional software development experience using C++.
• Experience building high-volume, high-concurrency distributed systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize high-performance C++ applications powering a large-scale ad serving platform.
• Build and maintain backend systems with millions of concurrent requests, low latency, and high availability.
• Collaborate on architecture, code reviews, and performance tuning for real-time bidding systems.

Skills

C++ Programming Language

AWS OpsWorks

Python (Programming Language)

Systems Design

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

MySQL

Aerospike

Kafka

Snowflake

Job description

## Lead Software Engineer (C++) - Ad Tech & Distributed Systems - FreeWheelApplylocations: IL - Chicago, 350 N. Orleans St 1300Ntime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: R438758FreeWheel, a Comcast company, provides comprehensive ad platforms for publishers, advertisers, and media buyers. Powered by premium video content, robust data, and advanced technology, we’re making it easier for buyers and sellers to transact across all screens, data types, and sales channels. As a global company, we have offices in nine countries and can insert advertisements around the world.**Job Summary**We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer (C++) to join a team responsible for building and enhancing a large-scale, real-time advertising platform that operates at massive scale. This role focuses on developing high-performance backend services that process millions of concurrent requests, optimize ad delivery decisions, and maintain ultra-low latency response times across a distributed cloud infrastructure. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in C++ development, distributed systems, concurrency, and high-throughput application design. You'll work on mission-critical services that sit at the core of the advertising ecosystem, handling complex decisioning logic and real-time integrations with external demand partners and marketplaces.**Job Description**## **Core Responsibilities*** Design, develop, and optimize high-performance C++ applications that power a large-scale ad serving platform.* Build and maintain backend systems capable of processing millions of concurrent requests with low latency and high availability.* Develop new platform capabilities while ensuring system stability, scalability, and performance under heavy workloads.* Enhance systems that process ad requests, communicate with external bidding partners, evaluate responses, and return optimized decisions in real time.* Design and implement resilient distributed services across multi-region cloud environments.* Optimize application performance for high Query Per Second (QPS) workloads and high-concurrency traffic patterns.* Collaborate with engineering teams to architect failover, disaster recovery, and high-availability solutions.* Create efficient database queries and data access layers utilizing MySQL and Aerospike.* Troubleshoot performance bottlenecks across application, database, and infrastructure layers.* Participate in architecture discussions, code reviews, and technical design initiatives.* Monitor and continuously improve system reliability, scalability, and operational efficiency.## Required Qualifications* Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.* 5+ years of professional software development experience using **C++**.* Experience building and supporting **high-volume, high-concurrency distributed systems**.* Strong understanding of multithreading, concurrency, memory management, and performance optimization.* Experience designing and operating **low-latency, real-time applications**.* Knowledge of cloud platforms including **AWS, Azure, or GCP**.* Experience working with relational databases, particularly **MySQL**.* Familiarity with distributed data stores such as **Aerospike, Kafka, Snowflake, etc**.* Strong understanding of scalable microservices and service-oriented architectures.* Experience with monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance tuning large-scale production systems.**Comcast is an EOE/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT employer.****Skills**AWS OpsWorks, C++ Programming Language, Python (Programming Language), Systems Design**Compensation**Illinois Pay Range: $152,828.79 - $229,243.19Comcast intends to offer the selected candidate base pay within this range, dependent on job-related, non-discriminatory factors such as experience. The application window is 30 days from the date job is posted, unless the number of applicants requires it to close sooner or later.Base pay is one part of the Total Rewards that Comcast provides to compensate and recognize employees for their work. Most sales positions are eligible for a Commission under the terms of an applicable plan, while most non-sales positions are eligible for a Bonus. Additionally, Comcast provides best-in-class Benefits to eligible employees. We believe that benefits should connect you to the support you need when it matters most, and should help you care for those who matter most. That’s why we provide an array of options, expert guidance and always-on tools, that are personalized to meet the needs of your reality – to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. Please visit the compensation and benefits summary on our careers site for more details.**Education**Bachelor's DegreeWhile possessing the stated degree is preferred, Comcast also may consider applicants who hold some combination of coursework and experience, or who have extensive related professional experience.**Certifications** (if applicable)**Relevant Work Experience**10 Years +Comcast is an equal opportunity workplace. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.