Systems Engineer

As a Systems Engineer at Bandwidth, your primary responsibilities include building automated self-service tooling and infrastructure, maintaining and improving system performance, and managing on-call duties for critical backend systems. You'll also have the opportunity to work with our product owner to respond to incidents impacting our platforms, implement fixes, and participate in the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) process to enhance our services.

To qualify for the Systems Engineer position at Bandwidth, candidates should possess a Bachelor’s Degree in computer science or a related field along with 3-5 years of experience managing large-scale systems. Familiarity with technologies such as NetApp, VMware, and automation tools like Ansible and Terraform is also essential.

Bandwidth deeply values employee well-being through its 'Whole Person Promise,' which ensures meaningful work paired with a fulfilling life. This includes 100% company-paid medical coverage, four weeks of PTO for new hires, and the assurance that your time off is respected. Even during PTO, communication is embargoed, allowing you to fully unplug while recharging.

A Systems Engineer at Bandwidth should be well-versed in a variety of tools and technologies including automation tools such as Ansible and Terraform, monitoring applications like DataDog and LogicMonitor, as well as foundational knowledge of the Linux operating system. Familiarity with Docker, OpenShift, and Kubernetes will also be beneficial.

At Bandwidth, you can expect to be part of a collaborative and inclusive team environment where you're encouraged to bring your authentic self to work. The company values innovation, supporting employees in contributing new ideas, and works collectively towards the shared mission of transforming communication services worldwide.

When answering this question, provide specific examples of projects where you successfully implemented automation using tools like Ansible or Terraform. Talk about how you streamlined processes, reduced manual efforts, and the outcomes of your automation initiatives.

Use the STAR method to structure your response: describe the Situation, the Task you were responsible for, the Action you took, and the Result achieved. Focus on your problem-solving skills and the technical knowledge you applied to overcome the issue.

Talk about the various best practices you follow, such as implementing firewalls, conducting regular software updates, and using monitoring tools. Also, highlight your experience with performance tuning and how you ensure the system can handle growth and increased traffic.

Discuss the techniques you employ for root cause analysis, such as the 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram, or regular review meetings. Emphasize your experience in identifying problems, implementing fixes, and following up to ensure similar issues don't arise.

Explain your strategy for task prioritization during high-pressure scenarios. Consider mentioning how you assess the severity and impact of the issues, delegate tasks if needed, and ensure effective communication with your team and stakeholders.

Highlight your experience working with cloud platforms and services, discussing specific projects where you've used those technologies to enhance systems. Talk about your understanding of cloud architecture, deployment, and scalability considerations.

Share the channels you use to stay informed, such as industry journals, webinars, online courses, and tech communities. Highlight any certifications you are pursuing or have achieved related to cloud computing, automation, or security.

Discuss your proficiency with scripting languages, notably Python and Bash. Provide examples of how you've automated tasks or developed tools to enhance system efficiency or gather data.

Share an experience where you took on a mentoring role. Discuss how you assessed the junior member's skills, the guidance you offered, and the ultimate result that benefited both them and the team.

Talk about your belief in strong analytical skills, effective communication, adaptability to technology changes, and teamwork. Provide examples filled with personal insights into why you think these qualities are essential.