Application Guide

How to Apply for Backend Software Engineer, Ads

at Mozilla

🏢 About Mozilla

Mozilla is unique as a mission-driven tech organization that prioritizes user privacy and an open internet while developing sustainable business models. Unlike typical ad-tech companies, Mozilla's advertising approach is built on privacy-by-design principles, making this role ideal for engineers who want to work on ethical advertising systems.

About This Role

This role involves building and maintaining backend services that power advertising functionality across Mozilla products while ensuring privacy-conscious implementation. You'll be creating APIs, data flows, and integrations that balance business needs with Mozilla's strong privacy values, making this position impactful for both revenue generation and user trust.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve collaborating with product managers to scope new advertising features, implementing privacy-conscious APIs for ad delivery systems, and participating in code reviews that emphasize both correctness and user privacy. You'll spend time integrating with external partner systems while ensuring data flows align with Mozilla's privacy standards.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Mozilla Is Looking For

  • Has 3+ years building backend systems in Go, Python, or Rust with specific experience in service-oriented architectures
  • Demonstrates experience implementing privacy-conscious data flows and integrations in advertising or similar sensitive domains
  • Excels in distributed, asynchronous work environments with proven written communication skills for remote collaboration
  • Shows understanding of balancing scalability requirements with privacy constraints in system design

📝 Tips for Applying to Mozilla

1

Highlight specific experience with privacy-by-design implementations in backend systems, especially if related to advertising or data processing

2

Showcase projects where you've built integrations between internal systems and external partners, emphasizing reliability and correctness

3

Demonstrate your remote work communication skills by providing examples of clear documentation or async collaboration successes

4

Tailor your language experience examples to Mozilla's tech stack - prioritize Go or Rust if you have them, but Python experience is also valuable

5

Research and reference Mozilla's Manifesto and how their privacy-first advertising approach differs from traditional ad-tech

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience building scalable backend systems that prioritize both performance and privacy considerations', 'Specific examples of working with APIs and service integrations in distributed environments', "How your values align with Mozilla's mission of creating ethical, privacy-conscious technology", 'Experience collaborating with cross-functional partners to deliver well-scoped features in advertising or similar domains']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Mozilla's advertising philosophy and how it differs from traditional ad-tech (research their privacy-preserving ad initiatives)
  • → Mozilla's Manifesto and how it influences their technical decisions and business models
  • → Mozilla's current products and where advertising fits into their ecosystem (Firefox, Pocket, etc.)
  • → Mozilla's engineering blog and recent technical discussions about their backend architecture

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a privacy-conscious data flow for ad targeting while maintaining system scalability?
2 Describe your experience with service-oriented architectures and how you've handled integration challenges with external partners
3 What approaches have you used to ensure correctness and reliability in distributed backend systems?
4 How do you balance business requirements with technical constraints when building advertising systems?
5 Can you walk through your experience working effectively in a fully remote, asynchronous environment?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on maximizing ad revenue without considering privacy implications in your examples
  • Using generic backend experience examples without tying them to Mozilla's specific privacy-conscious context
  • Demonstrating poor written communication skills in application materials for a remote role requiring clear async communication

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Mozilla!

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