Lead Software Engineer - Dynamic Creative Optimisation (DCO)

We’re building the future of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising. Not the watered-down “future”, the actual, data-fuelled, real-time, screens-in-train-stations kind of future. 

At Bauer Media Outdoor, we own and operate 33,000+ advertising sites across the UK. Millions see our screens every day. Now imagine those screens responding dynamically to weather, location, audience, time of day, live events, inventory, data triggers… that’s the magic of DCO. 

And that’s where you come in. 

We're launching a brand-new Dynamic Creative Optimisation (DCO) engineering function, and we need a Lead Software Engineer to build it, shape it, and set the standard for it. 

No small pressure. Maximum impact. 

About the role 

This isn’t just another tech lead job. This is a blank canvas. 

You’ll lead a talented team (currently two engineers), define the architecture, build the frameworks, write the standards, get hands-on with code, and partner directly with product, ad-tech platforms, creative agencies, and global brands. 

Expect a mix of: 

• Engineering leadership 

• Product collaboration 

• Client and stakeholder engagement 

• Hands-on development 

• Creative problem-solving 

• Making billboards do very clever things with data 

You’ll be the person who turns “Can we make the ad change when it starts raining?” into “Yes, here’s how we deploy it across 5000 screens before lunch.” 

What you’ll be doing 

Design & Build 

• Architect DCO frameworks, templates and dynamic solutions using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript 

• Define how dynamic content flows across our DOOH network 

• Develop solutions using live data feeds (APIs, JSON, XML), animation libraries, and integrations 

Technical Leadership 

• Lead, mentor and grow a DCO engineering team 

• Establish gold-standard coding, testing and documentation practices 

• Own and evolve the team, tech and roadmap 

Standards & Enablement 

• Create clear technical guidelines for internal teams, agencies and DSP/SSP partners 

• Host knowledge-shares, training, documentation, and best-practice sessions 

• Become the business’s go-to DCO subject matter expert 

Campaign Delivery & Support 

• Support the execution, testing and monitoring of live dynamic campaigns 

• Debug issues, optimise performance, and maintain delivery excellence 

• Work with product teams (AdAstra, LaunchPAD) and tech partners (e.g. Broadsign) 

Innovation 

• Stay ahead of trends: personalisation, automation, real-time data, dynamic creative tech 

• Push the boundaries of what DOOH can do with contextual intelligence 

What we’re looking for 

You’ll thrive here if you’re: 

• A hands-on tech lead who isn’t afraid to code, prototype and review 

• Experienced in HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript (animation, Canvas/WebGL a bonus) 

• Familiar with ad tech ecosystems (DSPs, SSPs, VAST, programmatic ad delivery, DCO) 

• Comfortable integrating live data sources and APIs 

• A mentor and team builder with strong technical opinions (loosely held) 

• A communicator who can translate complexity into clarity for non-technical audiences 

• Energised by innovation, experimentation and building something from scratch 

• Obsessed with reliability, performance, and doing impressive things at scale 

Why Bauer Media Outdoor? 

Make a real impact 
Your work will literally shape what millions of people see in the real world. 

Build something from the ground up 
You'll define the tech, the tooling, the standards and the roadmap. 

Engineering meets creativity 
Where marketing imagination meets real-world technical execution. 

Hybrid, flexible, and built for humans 
2–3 days in the London office, autonomy to flex the rest. 

And the usual good stuff… 

• Salary DOE + bonus 

• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays) 

• Pension matched up to 8% 

• Healthcare Cash Plan 

• Life insurance + income protection 

• Cycle to Work 

• Travel/season ticket loan 

• Discounts with 100s of retailers 

• A team that’s genuinely brilliant, supportive and uncompromisingly curious 

Our Culture 

At Bauer Media Outdoor, we don’t want you to blend in. 

We want you to Bring you. Shape us. 

We move fast, question assumptions, and build things that work in the real world. We're big enough to matter, small enough to move, and curious enough to invent. 

Apply now 

If this sounds like a role you’re interested in, then please apply.  

If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it’s a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we’re available through telephone, email, or face to face. You can contact careers-uk@bauermediaoutdoor.com 

At Bauer Media Outdoor, we are committed to treating everyone with fairness and respect, regardless of their race, gender, age, ethnicity, background, sexual orientation, disability, or any other differences. We work hard to foster an inclusive environment, a place you can be yourself. We support reasonable adjustment requests from candidates and employees. If you're interested in joining us to shape the future of out-of-home media, we'd love to hear from you.