Exchange Optimization Lead Analyst

Overview

OpenX is focused on unleashing the full economic potential of digital media companies by delivering value to publishers and advertisers across all screens. We design and operate high-scale ad marketplaces and are looking for a Lead Exchange Optimization Analyst to join our core team. The role focuses on improving the efficiency, performance, and monetization of our global programmatic exchange, with emphasis on opportunities across international regions (EMEA, APAC, LATAM).

This position is ideal for someone who thrives in data, is fluent in advanced SQL, and is passionate about uncovering optimization opportunities across billions of bid requests each day. You will work hands-on with rich datasets to diagnose inefficiencies, test hypotheses, and drive measurable improvements that benefit DSPs, publishers, and OpenX. We value analytical rigor and statistical thinking and are seeking to strengthen our bench with someone who brings that mindset to the table. You will help shape how the exchange evolves to serve a more dynamic, data-informed, and value-driven ecosystem, and you may design and launch live experiments to validate improvements that can be shipped to production in hours."

• Analyze large-scale exchange data (bid requests, impressions, wins, revenue) to surface actionable insights and optimization opportunities
• Design, execute, and evaluate experiments that test hypotheses around traffic shaping, bid filtering, pricing floors, or other monetization levers
• Develop and maintain dashboards and recurring reports in SQL and BI tools like Looker to monitor key exchange metrics and alert on anomalies
• Partner closely with product, engineering, and data science teams to refine exchange logic and build smarter systems for request routing, deal handling, and QPS allocation
• Work collaboratively across demand and supply teams to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and growth opportunities
• Focus on identifying and executing optimization opportunities in international regions (EMEA, APAC, LATAM), partnering with regional supply and demand teams to address unique market dynamics
• Serve as an internal subject matter expert on bid request data quality, ad decisioning paths, and exchange performance drivers
• Translate complex data findings into clear narratives and strategic recommendations for cross-functional stakeholders

• 7+ years of experience in analytics, data operations, or optimization within a high-scale programmatic environment (SSP, DSP, or ad exchange)
• Expert-level SQL skills, especially in BigQuery or a similar large-scale data platform
• Strong background in data analysis, statistics, or experimentation and able to interpret noisy signals and guide decision-making with evidence
• Proven ability to break down complex systems, identify optimization levers, and implement data-driven strategies
• Demonstrated ability to manipulate, aggregate, and pivot large datasets for insight discovery
• Familiarity with OpenRTB, programmatic auction mechanics, and bidstream signals
• Clear communicator who can articulate technical findings to product managers, business leads, and engineers alike, including regional stakeholders across EMEA, APAC, and LATAM
• Preferred skills: Analytics & Data Exploration
• Skilled in pivoting, aggregating, and slicing large datasets to identify patterns and anomalies
• Comfort with exploratory data analysis and ad hoc and ongoing investigations in SQL-based environments
• Relentlessly curious about testing new ideas and concepts
• Strong ability to summarize and synthesize trends, findings and test results
• Experience with Excel/Google Sheets pivot tables, vlookups and other advanced features
• Advanced proficiency with Looker (or equivalent), including dashboard building
• Programmatic Advertising Expertise: Familiarity with OpenRTB specifications, bid request/response structure, and auction flows
• Understanding of SSP/DSP mechanics, including campaign delivery, win rates, QPS and traffic shaping
• Exposure to supply path optimization (SPO) concepts, ad quality signals, and deal types
• Basic knowledge of identity frameworks (cookies, IPs, UID2, etc.) and how they impact optimization
• Awareness of request filters, throttling, floor pricing, traffic sets, and other monetization levers
• Technical Proficiency: Heavy SQL + to drive ideas to experimentation to analysis
• Comfort with BigQuery or similar large-scale analytics platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Redshift). Strong understanding of joins, UDFs, subqueries, CTEs, and performance tuning
• Familiarity with structuring analytical pipelines for analysis, learning and reporting
• Comfortable with scripting in Python for lightweight ETL/automation and statistical analysis
• Bonus: Exposure to Airflow, GCP Dataform
• Entrepreneurial problem-solver who thrives in ambiguity and complexity
• Strong ownership mentality: sees problems through from insight to resolution and iteration
• Naturally curious, with a bias for action and experimentation
• Comfortable operating in lightly structured environments and building frameworks from scratch
• Thrives in a fast-paced, high-scale setting, balancing speed and rigor
• Communicates clearly and concisely with both technical and non-technical partners
• Eager to challenge assumptions and improve systems even when that means breaking status quo
• Operates as a strategic partner, not just an analyst, constantly thinking about levers, constraints, and tradeoffs

$127,500 - $142,500 a year. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health, retirement, equity, and more. Salary is determined by factors including experience, skills, and certifications. We will consider qualified applicants in accordance with state/local regulations and open hiring practices.

OpenX is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. For all applicants, the base salary range is noted above, per year + bonus + equity + benefits. A summary of our benefits can be viewed here: OpenX Careers. OpenX values and equal opportunity statement and privacy policy apply as described in the OpenX Applicant Privacy Policy.

OpenX values: We Are One; We Are Customer Centric; OpenX Is Ours; We Are An Open Book; We Evolve Fast. OpenX Traits: Humble, Driven, Smart. OpenX is committed to equal employment opportunities and to protecting applicant privacy.