Staff Site Reliability Engineer - IT Disaster Recovery (ITDR) - job 15 of 20

The primary responsibilities of a Staff Site Reliability Engineer - IT Disaster Recovery at Visa involve advancing the Disaster Recovery Program, working closely with both business and technology units to identify critical functions, and establishing recovery time and point objectives. The role includes developing best-practice DR strategies, conducting rigorous testing, and leading annual disaster recovery exercises to protect Visa's systems. A strong emphasis is placed on collaboration with various teams to create viable recovery solutions and detailed documentation, ensuring that Visa remains prepared for any disaster scenario.

To successfully apply for the Staff Site Reliability Engineer - IT Disaster Recovery position at Visa, candidates typically need a solid background in IT, with substantial experience in site reliability engineering and disaster recovery processes. Proficiency in networking, cloud services, and database management (such as MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB) is essential. Demonstrated leadership skills and a collaborative mindset are also critical for effectively working with cross-functional teams at Visa.

The hybrid work model for the Staff Site Reliability Engineer - IT Disaster Recovery at Visa allows employees to alternate their working time between remote and office settings. Hybrid employees are expected to be in the office 2-3 days a week, based on business needs, providing flexibility while still ensuring collaboration and productivity among team members. This structure supports both independent work and teamwork essential for effective disaster recovery planning and execution.

Key skills for a Staff Site Reliability Engineer - IT Disaster Recovery at Visa include a solid understanding of disaster recovery best practices, cloud services, and network configurations. Additionally, strong leadership capabilities, effective communication skills, and the ability to collaborate with diverse technology teams are crucial. Familiarity with data backup and recovery methodologies, as well as experience with middleware platforms and security measures, will empower the engineer to navigate the complexities of Visa’s systems effectively.

The impact of the Staff Site Reliability Engineer - IT Disaster Recovery role at Visa is significant, as it directly contributes to maintaining the reliability and security of Visa’s critical systems. By developing and executing a comprehensive disaster recovery plan, this role ensures that the company can swiftly restore operations following an incident. The engineer's work helps to safeguard vital information assets and maintain customer trust, which are essential in Visa’s fast-paced and transaction-heavy environment.

When answering this question, highlight specific experiences you've had in developing and implementing disaster recovery plans. Discuss how you identified critical systems, set recovery objectives, and executed successful DR tests. Provide tangible examples or statistics to quantify your impact.

Discuss your approach to establishing RTOs and RPOs during disaster recovery planning. Mention the use of regular tests, assessments, and validations to monitor compliance with these objectives. Highlight your methods for communication and collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure alignment on expectations.

Here, you should focus on specific instances where you've troubleshooted network issues, including your understanding of VPNs, firewalls, and key network components. Describe how you utilized tools and resources to diagnose problems and implement solutions effectively.

Talk about the best practices you adhere to when managing disaster recovery in cloud environments, such as regular backups, data encryption, and access controls. Share your experience regarding leveraging cloud features for scalability and recovery efficiency.

Explain your documentation strategy, including the types of documents you maintain (like impact analyses, risk assessments, and process maps). Stress the importance of keeping documentation current and easily accessible for all stakeholders involved in disaster recovery efforts.

Provide a detailed example of when you planned and executed a disaster recovery test. Share the objectives, how you assembled teams, what challenges you faced, and what the results were. Highlight lessons learned and improvements implemented afterward.

Discuss your familiarity with various backup and recovery tools and solutions. You may want to mention specific software or systems you've used, your approach to selecting the right tool for a given situation, and how you ensured data integrity during recovery processes.

Emphasize the importance of clear communication and structured collaboration when managing a disaster recovery event. Describe how you've facilitated teamwork with multiple departments to ensure roles are clear, processes are smooth, and recovery operations are executed efficiently.

Discuss potential challenges like resource allocation, evolving technology landscapes, or unexpected incidents. Highlight how you anticipate these challenges and your proactive measures for risk management, robust planning, and ongoing training for team members.

Share your insights on the critical role disaster recovery plays in maintaining operational continuity and protecting customer trust for Visa. Discuss the potential risks of not having a robust DR strategy, including financial implications and regulatory compliance concerns, and how a strong DR program reinforces Visa’s position as a market leader.