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Backend Software Engineer (Python or PHP) - Chicago - ONSITE 2X Week- FreeWheel

Comcast · IL · $109,759–$164,639 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a bug you found in production. How did you find and fix it?

What they are checking: Whether they can debug methodically and learn from problems.

Tell me about a time you got code review feedback you disagreed with.

What they are checking: Whether they handle feedback professionally and can disagree without slowing the team down.

How do you keep learning about a large codebase you didn't write?

What they are checking: Whether they can ramp up on an existing platform like Buyer Cloud.

What would you do

You're asked to build a support tool quickly for an internal team. How do you decide what to build first?

What they are checking: Whether they can scope work to deliver value fast without overbuilding.

A customer says an API call is slow. How do you figure out why?

What they are checking: Whether they can profile and diagnose performance problems.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd design a REST API for setting up and updating a DSP campaign.

What they are checking: Whether they can design clean, consistent APIs that customers depend on.

In Python or PHP, how do you make a backend service reliable when it calls other services that might fail?

What they are checking: Whether they use retries, timeouts and error handling to build resilient systems.

What is real-time bidding, and where does the campaign setup API fit into it?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the ad tech domain they'll be working in.

How do you write tests for a backend feature, and how much testing is enough?

What they are checking: Whether they have testing habits that keep quality high while moving fast.

How would you design a database table for campaign settings that change often?

What they are checking: Whether they understand data modeling and tradeoffs for frequently updated data.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Comcast.

FreeWheel, a Comcast company, provides comprehensive ad platforms for publishers, advertisers, and media buyers. Powered by premium video content, robust data, and advanced technology, we’re making it easier for buyers and sellers to transact across all screens, data types, and sales channels. As a global company, we have offices in nine countries and can insert advertisements around the world. Job Summary FreeWheel’s mission is to build great advertising software. We offer the most extensible and transparent advertising buying platform in the world, operating at a massive global scale. We don’t just operate a Demand Side Platform (DSP) – we are the platform that powers hundreds of DSPs! As a result, we process trillions of transactions to satisfy millions of dollars’ worth of advertising campaigns every month. Our employees enjoy a culture of transparency and one with many challenging problems to solve. We value moving fast, building high-quality reliable software, and supporting each other in the service of driving success for our customers’ businesses. Buyer Cloud (formerly Beeswax) is responsible for building and maintaining the services necessary to set up, configure, manage, monitor, and execute DSP digital real-time bidding campaigns. The App team focuses on APIs, support tools, and ad serving systems, supporting FreeWheel Engineering by enabling efficient and scalable programmatic advertising operations. We are seeking a Backend Python Developer to join our team. You will design, develop, and integrate scalable solutions that meet business needs and address complex, ambiguous challenges. As a key contributor throughout the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), you will participate in requirements analysis, development, testing, deployment, and application integration. You will champion code quality, operational excellence, and system reliability while mentoring and supporting other engineers. The role requires active participation in code reviews, providing meaningful feedback, and driving engineering best practices across the team. Job Description Responsibilities: • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and integrate innovative software solutions that align with business needs • Conducting analysis of system requirements and the customization of applications to ensure optimal functionality • Assisting with the software update process for existing applications and roll-outs of software releases • Mentoring junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and shared knowledge within the team • Engaging with Quality Assurance to verify that software meets technical specifications and delivering high-quality, reliable applications • Troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues in software applications and systems • Synthesizing market research and industry trends to inform project strategies and enhance product offerings • Conducting training sessions for operational staff to ensure effective use of internally developed applications • Consistent exercise of independent judgment and discretion in matters of significance. • Regular, consistent and punctual attendance. Must be able to work nights and weekends, variable schedule(s) as necessary. • Other duties and responsibilities as assigned. The Ideal Skillset: • 2+ Years of experience working with Python and Django. • Experience creating/developing RESTful API's using Django. • Experience with PHP • Experience with Kubernetes/EKS, AWS, owning production deployments at scale for critical backend services. • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or relatable technical field or experience equivalent BONUS POINTS: • AdTech or Advertising industry experience Employees at all levels are expected to: • Understand our Operating Principles; make them the guidelines for how you do your job. • Own the customer experience think and act in ways that put our customers first, give them seamless digital options at every touchpoint, and make them promoters of our products and services. • Know your stuff be enthusiastic learners, users and advocates of our game-changing technology, products and services, especially our digital tools and experiences. • Win as a team make big things happen by working together and being open to new ideas. • Be an active part of the Net Promoter System a way of working that brings more employee and customer feedback into the company by joining huddles, making call backs and helping us elevate opportunities to do better for our customers. • Drive results and growth. • Support a culture of inclusion in how you work and lead. • Do what's right for each other, our customers, investors and our communities. Disclaimer: This information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications. Skills Back-End Development, Collaboration, Design Compensation Illinois Pay Range: $109,759.26 - $164,638.89 Comcast intends to offer the selected candidate base pay within this range, dependent on job-related, non-discriminatory factors such as experience. The application window is 30 days from the date job is posted, unless the number of applicants requires it to close sooner or later. Base pay is one part of the Total Rewards that Comcast provides to compensate and recognize employees for their work. Most sales positions are eligible for a Commission under the terms of an applicable plan, while most non-sales positions are eligible for a Bonus. Additionally, Comcast provides best-in-class Benefits to eligible employees. We believe that benefits should connect you to the support you need when it matters most, and should help you care for those who matter most. That’s why we provide an array of options, expert guidance and always-on tools, that are personalized to meet the needs of your reality – to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. Please visit the compensation and benefits summary on our careers site for more details. Education Bachelor's Degree (Required) While possessing the stated degree is preferred, Comcast also may consider applicants who hold some combination of coursework and experience, or who have extensive related professional experience. Certifications (if applicable) Relevant Work Experience 5-7 Years Comcast is an equal opportunity workplace. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

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