Senior Server Engineer II, Wordscapes

The Senior Server Engineer II at PeopleFun plays a pivotal role in architecting and implementing complex gameplay systems for Wordscapes, targeting scalability for millions of players. Responsibilities include maintaining the Wordscapes server infrastructure, driving technical improvements, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and writing clean, efficient server code, all while bringing joy to players through innovative features.

To qualify for the Senior Server Engineer II role at PeopleFun, candidates should have over 5 years of experience in server development, extensive knowledge of game architecture, and a solid understanding of cloud technologies like GCP, Azure, or AWS. A working knowledge of game engines such as Unity or Unreal is preferred, along with strong collaboration skills within multi-disciplinary teams.

PeopleFun fosters a collaborative environment that emphasizes teamwork, creativity, and fun. As a Senior Server Engineer II, you will be part of a diverse team that values open communication and collaboration, allowing for robust idea-sharing and project development. The studio also prioritizes inclusion and diversity, creating a supportive workplace for all employees.

At PeopleFun, the expected base pay for the Senior Server Engineer II position ranges from $140,000 to $175,000, considering factors like location and experience. Additionally, the compensation package may include performance bonuses, equity options, and comprehensive benefits such as medical, dental, and flexible PTO, making it a competitive opportunity in the industry.

Yes, PeopleFun values the growth of its employees and offers generous annual credits for professional development. As a Senior Server Engineer II, you'll have ample opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge through workshops, courses, and in-app purchases, all within a supportive environment encouraging continuous learning and improvement.

When discussing your experience, focus on specific projects where your contributions had a measurable impact on scalability. Highlight the technologies you used, design considerations for handling high traffic, and any performance optimizations you implemented. It's also beneficial to touch on your collaboration with other teams in the process.

In your response, emphasize your principles of scalability, maintainability, and performance. Discuss how you take user experience into account and the balance between innovative features and practical server architecture. Give examples of systems you've designed in the past and any challenges you overcame.

Be prepared to discuss the tools you have experience with, such as cloud services (like AWS or Azure), programming languages, and frameworks. Explain why you favor these tools based on past successes and how they contribute to efficient server operation.

Share examples of any initiatives you have taken to enhance engineering culture, such as implementing coding standards, reviewing and documenting processes, or fostering knowledge-sharing sessions. Highlight your role in promoting best practices and the positive impact these efforts can have on team performance.

Describe your experience with CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code (IaC), and monitoring server performance. Discuss how these practices integrated with your workflow and enhanced collaboration between development and operations teams, ultimately leading to quicker deployments and fewer issues in production.

Highlight your techniques for ensuring clear communication across various disciplines. You might mention the importance of aligning objectives, regular check-ins, and utilizing project management tools. Also, provide examples of how effective communication resulted in successful project outcomes.

Explain your approach to task prioritization, emphasizing factors like project deadlines, impact on users, and collaboration requirements. Discuss any tools or methodologies you employ, such as Agile or Kanban, to keep track of tasks and ensure effective workflow management.

In your answer, reflect on your personal passion for gaming and how it drives your work. Share moments that reinforced this passion, like player feedback or successful launches. Discuss how you believe your role can significantly enhance player experiences and communities.

Discuss your approach to maintaining coding standards, which may include code reviews, automated testing, and consistent documentation practices. Highlight the importance of reliability and readability in server code, demonstrating how these practices contribute to the team's overall efficiency and product quality.

Provide a detailed account of a challenging project, focusing on the specific difficulties encountered, your analytical approach to troubleshooting, and the ultimate resolution. Discuss any lessons learned and how they informed your future work, showcasing your problem-solving abilities and resilience.