My Journey as an iOS Developer Intern at Teads

Richard Nicholas Depierre
Teads Engineering
Published in
5 min readOct 24, 2024

When I first walked into Teads in October, I was greeted by a small but dynamic team: my manager, a fellow iOS developer, and two Android developers. From day one, I felt the warmth and excitement that characterised Teads, a company that stands at the forefront of digital advertising.

Teads is a global leader in digital advertising, connecting brands with audiences through premium publisher content. The company offers innovative ad formats and leverages advanced technology to ensure that ads are delivered in the most effective and engaging manner possible. At Teads, the focus is on creating a seamless experience for both advertisers and publishers, with a commitment to quality and innovation.

Why I Applied to Teads

I wanted to join Teads because of the complexity and the challenge that comes with working as an iOS developer here. Unlike previous roles where I developed consumer-facing apps, at Teads, I am developing an SDK used by other developers. This adds a layer of complexity to how and what we make available for developers, which was a challenge I was eager to take on.

Working on the Teads iOS SDK

My main project was the Teads iOS SDK, a powerful tool that allows publishers to seamlessly display Teads ads within their apps. This SDK includes multiple layers, with an internal library that serves as a core component bridging the iOS and Android SDKs. This dynamic and retrocompatible component ensures that even older SDK versions can render ads with the latest updates, adding an exciting layer of complexity to my work.

Collaborating with the Team

I mostly collaborate with Lucas Bonafé, an Android developer on my team, who has been incredibly helpful due to his extensive experience at Teads and as a developer. I also receive significant support from my manager and frequently interact with people from other teams and the product team. Effective communication across teams is crucial for creating a successful product, and Teads excels in fostering this collaborative environment.

Diving into Documentation and Testing

My journey began with a deep dive into the SDK documentation provided to publishers. I reviewed, tested, and refined the integration process using sample apps. This not only honed my technical skills but also gave me a thorough understanding of how our products serve our users.

Innovating with Debug Mode

Illustration of Debug Mode

In November, I embarked on a project to develop a debug mode, a feature that allows developers to access detailed information about an ad by holding three fingers on it for five seconds. This innovation was both challenging and incredibly rewarding, as it blended creativity with technical precision. The debug mode significantly speeds up diagnosing issues in production, providing quick insights and solutions for developers. Seeing the debug mode in action, knowing it would significantly ease the troubleshooting process for developers, was immensely satisfying.

Making an Impact

Even as an apprentice, I believe I have a significant impact on my team. My input is valued, and I feel that my contributions, whether in code or ideas, are taken seriously. Being heard by my peers, despite having less experience, has been incredibly empowering.

Reorganisation and Team Transition

January brought significant changes with a company reorganisation. Our in-app team of four merged with the omni-channel team of five in order to have one team dedicated to all integrations with publishers. This transition, though challenging, was seamless thanks to the omni-channel manager and the team’s supportive nature. Two members from our team, including myself, integrated into the omni-channel team, while the others moved to different departments. The collaborative spirit and the welcoming attitude of my new team members made this transition smooth and enriching.

Supporting and Mentorship

Teads isn’t just about work; it’s about growth. Throughout my alternance, I received unwavering support from my manager and team members. Regular check-ins, insightful code reviews, and collaborative problem-solving sessions were the norm. This nurturing environment not only helped me overcome technical challenges but also fostered my professional development.

Broad Scope of the In-App Team

Our in-app team’s responsibilities are vast. Beyond developing the SDK and internal library, we managed the CI/CD pipeline and support all integrations we have with publishers on a daily basis. I took on tasks like deploying the iOS SDK on CocoaPods and Swift Package Manager and conducting A/B testing on the internal library to ensure compatibility with older SDK versions. This broad scope provided a comprehensive and enriching learning experience.

Contributing to Prebid SDK

From January to July, I worked on integrating a custom ad renderer into the Prebid SDK. This project was a unique blend of open-source collaboration and technical innovation, allowing publishers to use any third-party renderer for ads delivered through Prebid. The experience was incredibly fulfilling and broadened my understanding of collaborative development.

What Surprised Me Most

The one thing that surprised me the most when I joined Teads was the complexity involved in rendering an ad. There’s so much happening under the hood to ensure that the best ad is shown in the best way possible, which was far more intricate than I had initially imagined.

Personal and Professional Development

This apprenticeship at Teads has been a cornerstone of my professional and personal growth. I’ve sharpened my skills in iOS development, learned to navigate complex technical challenges, and thrived in a collaborative team environment. Personally, I’ve become more resilient, innovative, and confident in my abilities.

Advice for Future Interns

To anyone considering an internship or an apprenticeship at Teads, seize the opportunity. The company’s collaborative and innovative environment is perfect for both professional and personal growth. Engage deeply with your team, ask questions, seek feedback, and immerse yourself fully in the projects. One of the most important things as a future intern at Teads is to be eager to learn and never be afraid to ask questions or share your ideas. Teads is always looking to improve, and everyone is encouraged to contribute.

Teads is more than a workplace, it’s a community where I’ve developed lasting professional relationships and gained invaluable industry insights. Here’s to more learning, more coding, and more innovative solutions!

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