Lead Software Engineering- Middleware Reliability Engineering - job 4 of 12

As a Lead Software Engineer at Visa, particularly in Middleware Reliability Engineering, you will be responsible for driving the resiliency and availability of middleware products, implementing operational best practices, and enhancing CI/CD pipelines. You’ll also champion automation design, integrate various observability tools, and lead technical growth by mentoring team members.

To qualify for the Lead Software Engineer position at Visa, candidates should have a strong background in software engineering, particularly in Python, Java, and Go. Familiarity with Terraform, Ansible, and CI/CD tools like Jenkins is essential. Experience with observability frameworks and a solid understanding of security best practices, especially related to PCI and SOC compliance, are also required.

The Lead Software Engineer role at Visa offers numerous professional development opportunities, including access to regular learning sessions, workshops, and the chance to attend conferences. You'll also get hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies and frameworks, all while being part of a culture that encourages experimentation and continual improvement.

The team culture for a Lead Software Engineer at Visa is collaborative and inclusive, valuing diverse perspectives and innovative problem-solving. There's a strong emphasis on knowledge sharing and continuous learning, ensuring that team members support one another while balancing work-life integration with a flexible hybrid work schedule.

In the Lead Software Engineer position at Visa, you'll have the opportunity to shape the Middleware Reliability Engineering vision and strategy. You'll mentor junior engineers, drive modern DevOps practices, influence architectural decisions, and pioneer AI/ML integration in operational tools—all while being part of a team that values your growth and contributions.

When answering this question, focus on specific projects where you implemented automation solutions, detailing the technologies used, the problems solved, and the outcomes achieved. Highlight your proficiency in tools like Python, Java, or Go and emphasize how your work directly contributed to efficiency or reliability improvements.

Share your experiences with optimizing CI/CD pipelines, mentioning specific tools such as Jenkins or Git. Discuss strategies you’ve employed, such as automating test suites or improving build times, and quantify the impact of these optimizations on team productivity and product quality.

Discuss methodologies you’ve used to monitor system health, including tools like Prometheus, Grafana, or ELK. Elaborate on how you established monitoring metrics, alerts, and dashboards to provide a comprehensive view of system operation and how these tools helped in proactive issue management.

Explain your experience with managing infrastructure as code using Terraform or Ansible. Illustrate how you've applied these principles to create reproducible, version-controlled infrastructure, and the benefits this approach has had in your past projects.

Highlight your understanding of security protocols, such as mutual TLS authentication or secret management with HashiCorp Vault. Detail specific instances where you ensured compliance with PCI and SOC requirements and discuss any strategies you used to educate team members on security best practices.

Provide a detailed scenario where you guided a junior developer, focusing on the approaches you used to support their learning and growth. Incorporate feedback or improvements observed in their work that resulted from your mentorship.

Discuss your strategies for keeping abreast of the latest developments in software engineering and middleware solutions. This might include online courses, attending conferences, participating in tech communities, or simply following industry leaders on social media.

Share a specific, challenging problem and the systematic approach you took to achieve a solution. Describe the factors you considered, the stakeholders involved, and the technological aspects that influenced your decision-making process.

Explain your method for prioritizing tasks, perhaps mentioning tools or techniques like Agile methodologies or Kanban boards. Highlight the importance of communication with team members and how you balance immediate needs with long-term goals.

Share your enthusiasm for Visa's mission and culture. Discuss how the company’s focus on innovation and cutting-edge technology aligns with your career goals, and express your eagerness to contribute to impactful projects in the payment processing space.