Lead Systems Engineer - PRE - job 12 of 12

As a Lead Systems Engineer at Visa, you will focus on the technical direction and execution of the observability platform that supports Visa's operations. Your responsibilities will include delivering and maintaining tooling, ensuring the platform meets high availability and security standards, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to streamline processes. You will also oversee compliance with enterprise governance requirements, making this an essential role for supporting Visa's operational and strategic goals.

To excel as a Lead Systems Engineer at Visa, candidates should possess a robust background in systems engineering, preferably with experience in monitoring and observability platforms. A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is generally required, along with substantial experience in technical leadership roles. Familiarity with compliance and governance in large enterprises will be beneficial, and strong collaboration and communication skills are essential as you will be interfacing with various teams worldwide.

The work environment for a Lead Systems Engineer at Visa is both collaborative and flexible. Located in Austin, this hybrid position allows for a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration, fostering an inclusive culture where innovation thrives. You'll often be engaging with teams across various disciplines, including operations, software development, and management, contributing to a dynamic and supportive workplace.

Visa is committed to the professional growth of its employees, including Lead Systems Engineers. The company provides opportunities for further training, continuous learning, and professional development through workshops and conferences. Employees are encouraged to pursue certifications relevant to their roles, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of industry trends and technologies.

In the Lead Systems Engineer role at Visa, you will engage with a variety of advanced technologies related to observability and monitoring platforms. This includes cloud-based services, automated monitoring tools, and frameworks designed to enhance software performance and reliability. Moreover, you'll be implementing best practices in security and compliance, ensuring that the technologies employed align with Visa’s high operational standards.

When answering this question, highlight specific observability tools you've worked with, such as Prometheus, Grafana, or Splunk. Discuss how you utilized these tools to improve system monitoring and performance. Make sure to mention the impact your contributions had on your previous teams, emphasizing problem-solving capabilities.

In your response, focus on your understanding of security best practices. Discuss specific strategies like implementing role-based access control, regular audits, or automated alerting systems for security incidents. Relate your strategies to how they have previously helped maintain a secure operational environment.

Explain the methods you use for prioritization, such as the Eisenhower Matrix or Agile methodologies. Discuss your experience handling multiple projects and how you effectively communicated priorities with your team. Provide an example of a time when your prioritization skills led to a successful project delivery.

Provide a detailed account of a particularly challenging issue, emphasizing the steps you took to analyze the problem, brainstorm solutions, and implement the final resolution. Highlight collaboration with team members to demonstrate your teamwork skills and adaptability.

Discuss your experience collaborating with different departments, such as operations, development, and architecture. Highlight specific projects where you communicated effectively to achieve shared goals. This showcases your teamwork and ability to bridge gaps between technical and non-technical team members.

Mention resources you utilize to keep informed, such as industry blogs, forums, webinars, or networking events. Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning and how you apply new knowledge to enhance system engineering practices within your team.

Identify the programming languages relevant to systems engineering that you are proficient in, such as Python, Java, or Go. Explain how you have used these languages in your prior work, providing examples of projects or tools you developed.

Explain your understanding of enterprise governance standards relevant to systems engineering. Discuss specific policies or frameworks you have adhered to in past roles. Highlight your experience in conducting audits or using compliance tools to ensure adherence to regulations.

Share a specific project where you were instrumental in driving its success. Outline the objectives, your role, the challenges faced, and the measurable results achieved post-implementation. This should demonstrate leadership skills and strategic thinking.

Discuss the trends and technologies you foresee influencing observability in the coming years, such as AI and machine learning in monitoring systems or the rise of cloud-native applications. Articulate your vision for how systems engineers can adapt to these changes and maintain effective oversight.