📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Manager II, 3P Programmatic Ads
🔹 Company: Pinterest
🔹 Location: Seattle, WA, US
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (1 day in-office per week)
🔹 Category: Software Development
🔹 Date Posted: April 4, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (1 day per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading a team of engineers responsible for managing the 3P Demand Service
- Collaborating with internal teams and external demand sources (DSPs)
- Customizing and integrating new DSPs, and integrating new demand pools
- Providing technical and strategic direction, resolving ambiguities, and making clear decisions
- Fostering team growth, establishing a long-term roadmap, and delivering results
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and strong leadership skills to manage a team and collaborate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Draw in, recruit, guide, and motivate a diverse group of outstanding engineers
✅ Foster a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere where everyone can excel
✅ Direct the team in developing and sustaining scalable and expandable distributed systems for third-party ads integration
✅ Set and uphold a high bar for technical excellence and production quality
✅ Supervise initiatives for operational excellence, ensuring system reliability and efficient incident handling
✅ Collaborate closely with product managers, data scientists, tech leads, other cross-functional teams, and external partners to understand business needs and translate them into technical solutions
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of technical hands-on work, team management, and cross-functional collaboration, requiring strong communication and leadership skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, a related field, or equivalent experience
Experience: 2+ years of experience as an engineering manager and 5+ years of relevant industry experience in designing large scale production systems as a hands-on software engineer
Required Skills:
- Proven experience leading a team of engineers through a significant feature or product launch
- Strong mentorship and coaching abilities
- Knowledge of distributed systems
- Strong problem-solving skills
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with ad serving platform, supply-side platform (nice to have)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in software engineering, experience in ad tech, and proven leadership skills will be well-suited for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $200,436 - $350,763 USD (base salary range for this position, final salary based on various factors)
Benefits:
Working Hours: Full-time, with 1 day per week required in the office
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on factors such as location, prior experience, or particular skills and expertise.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Software Development, with a focus on visual inspiration and discovery
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees, offering a mix of individual contributions and collaborative teamwork
Founded: 2010, with a history of growth and innovation in the social media and tech space
Company Description:
- Pinterest's mission is to bring everyone the inspiration to create a life they love
- A visual discovery engine that allows users to search, save, and shop for ideas
- Public company with headquarters in San Francisco, California
Company Specialties:
- Visual discovery engine
- Social media and advertising
- E-commerce integration
Company Website: https://www.pinterest.com/
ASSUMPTION: Pinterest offers a dynamic work environment with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and user experience.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior management role, with opportunities for growth and impact
Reporting Structure: This role is expected to manage a team of engineers, with potential for cross-functional collaboration with various internal teams and external partners
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 1 day per week required in the office
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow within the engineering management track or explore other leadership roles within Pinterest
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and drive innovation in the ad tech space
- Chance to develop and refine leadership, mentoring, and technical skills
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of technical, strategic, and leadership challenges, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with 1 day per week required in the office
Office Location(s): Seattle, WA, US
Geographic Context:
- Seattle offers a vibrant tech industry, with numerous opportunities for professional networking and growth
- The city is known for its natural beauty, with mountains, forests, and waterways nearby
- Seattle has a diverse and multicultural population, with a strong emphasis on education and innovation
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and the opportunity for remote work (4 days per week)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to optimize their work environment.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with a recruiter to discuss the role and assess cultural fit
- Technical interview with a team member to evaluate problem-solving skills and technical expertise
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and other team members to discuss leadership style, management approach, and cultural fit
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical expertise in distributed systems and ad tech
- Leadership and management skills, including mentoring and coaching
- Problem-solving skills and ability to make clear decisions
- Cultural fit and alignment with Pinterest's values and mission
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience in ad tech, software engineering, and management
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences that match the required qualifications
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making
ATS Keywords: Engineering Management, Distributed Systems, Problem-Solving, Mentorship, Coaching, Technical Excellence, Operational Excellence, Collaboration, Integration, Scalability, Production Quality, Incident Handling, Ad Serving, Supply-Side Platform
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing technical expertise, leadership skills, and cultural fit, with a strong emphasis on problem-solving and decision-making.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Distributed systems and ad tech platforms
- Programmatic ad serving tools and technologies
- Collaboration and project management tools (e.g., JIRA, Asana, Slack)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used in this role will depend on the team's tech stack and the projects at hand, but a strong foundation in distributed systems and ad tech is essential.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Inspire creativity
- Bring everyone the inspiration to create a life they love
- Put Pinners first
- Be a force for good in the world
Work Style:
- Collaborative and inclusive atmosphere
- Focus on technical excellence and production quality
- Strong emphasis on problem-solving and decision-making
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a collaborative and inclusive work environment?
- Are you passionate about inspiring creativity and bringing inspiration to users?
- Do you have strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make clear decisions?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Pinterest's values and work style, and who possess strong leadership, technical, and problem-solving skills, will be well-suited for this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing technical debt and operational efficiency while driving innovation
- Managing a diverse team of engineers with varying skill levels and backgrounds
- Collaborating effectively with both internal teams and external partners
- Adapting to the dynamic nature of the ad tech industry and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong leadership, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other engineering management positions in the ad tech industry, but with a focus on third-party demand service and integration
- Compared to other management roles, this position requires a strong technical background and expertise in distributed systems and ad tech
- Career progression may involve moving into other leadership roles within Pinterest or exploring opportunities in related fields
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of technical, strategic, and leadership challenges, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
📝 Sample Projects
- Leading a team to integrate a new DSP into the 3P Demand Service
- Developing and implementing a long-term roadmap for the team's projects and initiatives
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve system reliability and incident handling
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the technical, strategic, and leadership aspects of the role, and provide insight into the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team's current tech stack and how it might evolve over time?
- How does this role collaborate with other teams and external partners within the organization?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the team, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Pinterest support the growth and development of its employees, particularly in management roles?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
ASSUMPTION: These questions can help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the organization, and assess their fit and potential for success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the required qualifications
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making
- Follow up with the recruiter after submitting your application, and be prepared to discuss your qualifications and fit for the role
- If selected for an interview, be ready to demonstrate your technical expertise, leadership skills, and cultural fit
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
