Sr Software Engineer - AI

Overview

The Trade Desk is a global technology company focused on building a better, more open internet through principled, intelligent advertising. We operate at scale, handling over 1 trillion queries per day, and we foster an award-winning culture based on trust, ownership, empathy, and collaboration. We value diverse experiences and perspectives and strive to create inclusive spaces where everyone can be their authentic selves at work.

Our Software Engineers are end-to-end owners who participate in designing, building, and delivering data-focused products for our stakeholders. We focus on building back-end infrastructure with quality at scale, enabling client-facing applications, internal solutions, and model pipelines for bidding optimizations, supported by infrastructure, development, and tools that promote efficiency.

The system serves global traffic around the clock. We build a distributed system in a highly collaborative environment, tackling algorithmic, optimization, and scale challenges in our backend work.

What we do

You will join a dedicated team building internal-facing AI solutions that support teams across The Trade Desk. We leverage technologies like large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, and agentic tools to improve productivity, streamline workflows, and reduce friction in everyday processes. Our work emphasizes high-quality, scalable applications that deliver measurable value and improve day-to-day operations across the company.

As a Senior AI Software Engineer on this team, you will be an end-to-end owner—collaborating with stakeholders, identifying opportunities, and delivering tools with real impact. We are a nimble, fast-paced, highly collaborative group focused on transforming how teams operate and increasing value across The Trade Desk.

Responsibilities include:

• Design and deploy intelligent agentic systems that integrate large language models with enterprise data, tools, and workflows using frameworks such as Lang Chain, Llama Index, and Semantic Kernel.
• Develop Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) applications using tools like Azure AI Search, vector databases, and secure enterprise connectors to deliver contextual insights.
• Build and iterate on conversational agents that solve real-world problems, meet stakeholder needs, and deliver measurable business value.
• Deliver high-impact features by collaborating across teams, navigating ambiguity, and aligning technical solutions with business goals.
• Improve quality and performance through automated testing, monitoring, and data-driven evaluation of success criteria, user adoption, and operational efficiency.
• Mentor teammates and contribute to a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and continuous learning.

We value engineers who are trust-builders, generous problem solvers, and relentless in pursuing excellence. You do not have to meet all the requirements, but candidates meeting most will have a higher likelihood of success.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8-10+ years of software engineering experience, including 1-2+ years working on AI-powered systems or products.
• Proficiency in Python and familiarity with languages such as C#, SQL, or Type Script/React.
• Foundational knowledge of LLM orchestration frameworks (e.g., Lang Chain, Llama Index, Semantic Kernel) and prompt engineering with LLM APIs.
• Experience product ionizing applications and implementing CI/CD pipelines for reliable, scalable deployments.
• Experience with data ingestion and transformation using APIs, ETL pipelines, and connectors; familiarity with vector databases and retrieval strategies.
• Strong cross-functional communication and collaboration skills.
• Fast learner who adapts quickly to new technologies and solves complex problems with creativity and pragmatism.

We acknowledge that you won’t know every technology we use t matters is the ability to learn quickly and innovate. We seek engineers who can invent solutions to questions that have not yet been asked.

Note:

The Trade Desk does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms. We are an equal opportunity employer and base employment decisions on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected status under law.

Salary range varies by location and is disclosed where legally required. The Trade Desk provides comprehensive benefits including health, retirement, time off, stock-based compensation where applicable, and other programs. For more details, see the company benefits information.

Please contact ac to request accommodations or discuss accessibility needs during the hiring process.