Principal software engineer

We are looking for an experienced Principal Software Engineer to help shape the architecture and technical direction of eBay’s Ads platform. You will lead large-scale initiatives, drive platform modernization, and build highly scalable distributed systems that directly impact eBay’s business and customer experience.

What You Will Accomplish

• Lead the design and evolution of large-scale, low-latency distributed systems
• Drive technical strategy and architecture across multiple engineering teams
• Build scalable services supporting ad serving, targeting, ranking, and reporting
• Partner closely with product, data science, ML, and analytics teams
• Improve system reliability, scalability, and operational efficiency
• Mentor engineers and influence engineering best practices across the organization
• Drive modernization initiatives and adoption of new technologies

• 10+ years of experience building large-scale distributed systems and APIs
• Strong expertise in system design, distributed architectures, and cloud technologies
• Experience with Java, Scala, or other JVM-based technologies
• Deep understanding of messaging systems, databases, and real-time platforms
• Proven technical leadership across complex cross-functional initiatives
• Strong communication, collaboration, and mentorship skills

• Experience in Ads platforms or ML-driven products is a plus Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• Experience with: Distributed systems and microservices REST/GraphQL APIs Kafka or similar messaging technologies RDBMS and NoSQL databases Cloud-native and containerized environments

• Opportunity to work on high-impact systems at global scale
• Collaborative, inclusive, and innovative engineering culture
• Flexible working environment and strong wellbeing support
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits eBay is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Additional Details eBay is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, and disability, or other legally protected status. If you have a need that requires accommodation, please contact us at . We will make every effort to respond to your request for accommodation as soon as possible. View our to learn more about eBay’s commitment to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We use cookies to enhance your experience and may use AI tools for administrative tasks in the hiring process. To learn how we handle your personal data and use AI responsibly, please visit our,, and .

At eBay, we’re more than a global ecommerce leader - we’re changing the way the world shops and sells. Our platform empowers millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world. We’re committed to pushing boundaries and leaving our mark as we reinvent the future of ecommerce for enthusiasts.

Our customers are our compass, authenticity thrives, bold ideas are welcome, and everyone can bring their unique selves to work - every day. We’re in this together, sustaining the future of our customers, our company, and our planet.

Join a team of passionate thinkers, innovators, and dreamers - and help us connect people and build communities to create economic opportunity for all.

Principal Software Engineer - eBay Ads (Backend / Platform Engineering)

Amsterdam, Netherlands

At eBay, we’re more than a global ecommerce leader - we’re changing the way the world shops and connects. Our platform empowers millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world. We’re committed to creating economic opportunity for all while fostering an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.

About the Team

eBay Ads powers the advertising ecosystem that connects buyers with sellers through relevant and engaging ad experiences. Our teams build scalable platforms and services that support ad targeting, ranking, delivery, and measurement at global scale.