Senior Algorithm Engineer, Performance Advertising
Opera · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $150,000 / year
- United States
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Job highlights
- Develop ML models for ad ranking and bidding.
- Build systems for app-install advertising.
- Optimize campaign delivery and advertiser performance.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Work on products used by millions globally.
About the role
About Opera
Opera is looking for a Senior Algorithm Engineer to join our Performance Advertising team. You will help build machine learning and optimization systems that power mobile app-install advertising campaigns across our global advertising platform. Working closely with Product, Engineering, and Data teams, you will develop and optimize algorithms supporting user acquisition, install prediction, conversion optimization, bidding, and campaign delivery. This role offers the opportunity to solve complex optimization challenges at scale and directly impact advertiser performance, revenue growth, and user experience.Role & Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and optimize machine learning models and algorithms for ad ranking, conversion prediction, bidding, and campaign optimization.
- Build solutions supporting mobile app-install advertising, install prediction, post-install event optimization, and ROAS-driven user acquisition campaigns.
- Improve campaign delivery, budget allocation, and advertiser performance through data-driven optimization and large-scale experimentation.
- Design, execute, and evaluate online experiments and A/B tests to measure the impact of algorithmic improvements.
- Collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Data teams to translate business objectives into scalable advertising and machine learning solutions.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or above in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Machine Learning, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience developing machine learning, ranking, recommendation, advertising, or optimization systems.
- Hands-on experience building algorithms for mobile app-install advertising, user acquisition, conversion optimization, or performance marketing platforms.
- Strong programming skills in Python, C++, Java, Go, or similar languages, with experience building production-grade systems and deploying models into large-scale online serving environments.
- Strong analytical, experimentation, and problem-solving skills with a track record of delivering measurable business impact.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Strong understanding of CTR/CVR prediction, ad ranking, install prediction, bidding, auction optimization, and budget pacing.
- Familiarity with RTB systems, campaign delivery optimization, LTV modeling, and ROAS optimization.
- Experience building scalable machine learning solutions in high-throughput, low-latency environments.
- Experience working with large-scale advertising, recommendation, search, or online decisioning systems.
- Background from AdTech, mobile advertising, gaming, internet, e-commerce, or recommendation platform companies.
What’s On Offer
- Join a diverse and collaborative team building products used by hundreds of millions of users worldwide.
- Opportunity to solve challenging machine learning and optimization problems at scale.
- Work with modern technologies and make a direct impact on the future of our advertising platform.
- Flat organizational structure, fast decision-making, and continuous learning.
- Empowerment to take ownership and drive innovation.
Key skills/competency
- Machine Learning
- Algorithm Development
- Performance Advertising
- Optimization Systems
- Python
- C++
- Data Analysis
- Experimentation
- A/B Testing
- AdTech
Skills & topics
- Senior Algorithm Engineer
- Machine Learning
- Performance Advertising
- Optimization
- Python
- C++
- AdTech
- User Acquisition
- Bidding Strategy
- Campaign Optimization
- Engineering
- Data Science
- Mobile Advertising
- Algorithm Development
- Scala
- Java
- Go
- Statistics
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience with machine learning, optimization systems, and performance advertising, using keywords from the job description.
- Showcase your impact: Quantify your achievements in previous roles, especially those related to improving advertiser performance or revenue growth.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Brush up on algorithms, data structures, machine learning concepts, and coding in Python or C++.
- Demonstrate problem-solving: Be ready to discuss complex optimization challenges you've tackled and your approach to experimentation and A/B testing.
- Research Opera: Understand their products, user base, and the role of performance advertising in their ecosystem.
Technical preparation
Master Python and C++ for production systems.,Review ML algorithms: prediction, ranking, optimization.,Practice coding for high-throughput, low-latency.,Understand A/B testing and experimentation design.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex optimization problem solved.,How do you collaborate with product/engineering?,Share an experience driving innovation.,How do you handle large-scale data challenges?
Frequently asked questions
- What specific machine learning areas are most important for the Senior Algorithm Engineer role at Opera?
- For the Senior Algorithm Engineer position at Opera, a strong understanding of CTR/CVR prediction, ad ranking, install prediction, bidding strategies, auction optimization, and budget pacing is crucial. Experience with these areas directly applies to the performance advertising challenges the team addresses.
- What programming languages are essential for this Senior Algorithm Engineer role at Opera?
- The job description emphasizes strong programming skills in Python, C++, Java, or Go. Proficiency in at least one of these languages is essential for developing and deploying production-grade machine learning systems in a large-scale online serving environment at Opera.
- How does Opera foster continuous learning for its engineering team?
- Opera fosters continuous learning by promoting a flat organizational structure, enabling fast decision-making, and creating an environment where engineers are empowered to take ownership and drive innovation. This approach encourages knowledge sharing and professional development within the Senior Algorithm Engineer team and beyond.
- What kind of experience is expected for a Senior Algorithm Engineer at Opera regarding system scale?
- The Senior Algorithm Engineer role at Opera requires experience building scalable machine learning solutions in high-throughput, low-latency environments. This means candidates should be comfortable working with large-scale advertising, recommendation, or online decisioning systems.
- What is the primary focus of the Performance Advertising team at Opera?
- The Performance Advertising team at Opera focuses on building and optimizing the machine learning and optimization systems that drive mobile app-install advertising campaigns. Their goal is to enhance user acquisition, improve conversion rates, optimize bidding, and refine campaign delivery for advertisers on Opera's global platform.
- Does Opera require specific industry experience for the Senior Algorithm Engineer position?
- While not strictly mandatory, Opera ideally looks for candidates with a background in AdTech, mobile advertising, gaming, internet, e-commerce, or recommendation platform companies. This industry experience provides valuable context for the challenges faced by the Performance Advertising team.
- How will a Senior Algorithm Engineer's work impact Opera's business?