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Sr. Platform Engineer

About QuizletInspired by our belief that anyone can learn anything and powered by our own curiosity, we build the smartest tools we can imagine to help students learn.Quizlet is the popular, global learning platform and app that millions of students, teachers and everyday people use to study any subject imaginable for school, work or as part of their personal interests -- including two-thirds of high school students and half of all college students in the US. Combining cognitive science and machine learning, Quizlet guides students through adaptive study activities to confidently reach their learning goals. We’re on track to become the undisputed leader in user-generated learning content and engagement, at the scale of YouTube.Valued at $1 billion, Quizlet has raised over $60 million in venture capital from investors including Icon Ventures, Union Square Ventures, General Atlantic, Costanoa Ventures, Owl Ventures, and Altos Ventures.To serve our global community of learners, our teams tackle lofty technical challenges and design for use cases across cultures and languages. We work hard, act like owners, and collaborate every chance we get. We’re energized by the potential to power more learners through multiple approaches and various tools.About The TeamQuizlet’s Platform Engineering team gets big things done. We are a team of curious individuals with experience in backend software engineering, traffic shaping, distributed systems, developer experience, infrastructure engineering, and related reliability. We love to solve scaling challenges as code and strive to build resilient distributed systems that scale while enabling feature velocity. We build, evolve, and operate tools, frameworks, and infrastructure that handle application delivery from source to production.Currently, we run production in Kubernetes and continue to modernize other parts of the infrastructure using cloud-native technologies. To automate application delivery and all things infrastructure, we follow the gitOps philosophy to perform continuous delivery and infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices. Additionally, we follow Agile development methodologies to plan our projects.Quizlet embraces a philosophy of service ownership by empowering service developers to build highly observable, reliable, and resilient services.About The RoleAs a Sr. Platform Engineer, you will work on strategic projects to figure out solutions to continue making our systems more resilient as we move to a service-oriented architecture.This role requires a strong partnership with the Product Engineering and Technical Infrastructure teams. You’ll be working on strategic projects aiming to increase service reliability, improve observability, and safe/rapid service delivery while ensuring feature velocity and cost efficiency. An enabler of repeatable processes, you will contribute to building, extending or improving existing tools and frameworks that not only reduce toil. Additionally, you will enable Quizlet teams to perform tasks more swiftly, securely, and reliably. Our charter is "To deliver a performant and delightful customer experience on a low-friction platform for developers."This is a hybrid role based out of our Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and San Francisco office hubs.In This Role, You Will• Collaborate on projects for larger initiatives that enable Quizlet’s growth.• Contribute to key projects that solve feature velocity, scaling, performance, and infrastructure problems• Improve our ability to understand and respond to the performance of our systems• Enhance service insights and observability that tell us details about our traffic patterns• Use a combination of skills in systems and software engineering, configuration management, and networking to build and run distributed, fault-tolerant software systems and infrastructure to create reusable services and modularized infrastructure components• Drive automation to reduce toil• Be in the thick of solving problems of running systems at scale• Support production by participating in our on-call rotationWhat You Bring To The Table• 5+ years of experience as a Platform Engineer building and enabling the creation of scalable, observable, and resilient distributed services in cloud native infrastructure environments• You feel energized by solving unique problems• Passionate about automation and building resilient products• Enthusiasm for building software and system integrations to bridge the gaps between our core infrastructure and the software we deliver to our customers• Proficiency with containers, Kubernetes and Terraform• You're fluent in at least one of our languages (GoLang and/or Python) and willing to dive into other languages as needed• Familiarity with incident management/response best practices with large-scale distributed systems• A systematic problem-solving approach, coupled with good communication skills and a strong sense of ownership• Ability to work across team boundaries to identify and solve pain points that affect engineering velocity, system resilience, system/service performanceBonus Points If You Have• Significant production experience with Kubernetes at a very large scale• Familiarity using service mesh implementations with a proxy (Istio, LinkerD, Envoy)• Expertise in building platforms that enable services to be delivered via software to enable Product teams to be self-sufficient and operate the services they own• Familiarity with Hashicorp products like TFCloud• Proficiency with Google Cloud Platform• Exposure to gRPC, distributed tracing, microservicesCompensation, Benefits & Perks• Quizlet is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Salary transparency helps to mitigate unfair hiring practices when it comes to discrimination and pay gaps. Total compensation for this role is market competitive, including a starting base salary of $130,000 - $185,000, depending on location and experience, as well as company stock options• Collaborate with your manager and team to create a healthy work-life balance• 20 vacation days (and we expect you to take them!)• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance (100% employee and 75% dependent PPO, HMO, VSP Choice)• Employer-sponsored 401k plan with company match• Access to LinkedIn Learning and other resources to support professional growth• Paid Family Leave, FSA, HSA, Commuter benefits, Wellness benefits• 40 hours of annual paid time off to participate in volunteer programs of choiceWe strive to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome!We work to create a holistic interview process, where both Quizlet and candidates have an opportunity to view what it would be like to work together, in exploring a mutually beneficial partnership.We provide a transparent setting, that gives a comprehensive view of who we are!In ClosingWe hope you are excited about everything you read so far. We highly encourage you to apply for this position, even if you feel you do not meet all the requirements. Quizlet is always looking for amazing folks that believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in various ways - not merely candidates that fit a certain mold.We have a bias for action, take initiative, and take pride in delivering results. We make informed decisions whenever possible but are unafraid to take calculated risks on great ideas to promote learning. We embrace challenges and see effort as the path to mastery. We’re constantly seeking opportunities to learn and we embrace curiosity. Quality matters at Quizlet, and we hold the bar high on everything we do.We treat each other with honesty and respect, encourage vigorous debate, and seek critical feedback. We value diversity, humility, transparency, and collaboration as the best paths to our success — as individuals, as a team, and as a company.Quizlet’s success as an online learning community depends on a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are actively working to build a team that is representative of the diverse communities we serve, and an open, inclusive work environment where all employees can thrive. As an equal opportunity employer and a tech company committed to societal change, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Come join us!To All Recruiters And Placement AgenciesAt this time Quizlet does not accept unsolicited agency resumes and/or profiles.Please do not forward unsolicited agency resumes to our website or to any Quizlet employee. Quizlet will not pay fees to any third-party agency or firm nor will it be responsible for any agency fees associated with unsolicited resumes. All unsolicited resumes received will be considered the property of Quizlet.
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What You Should Know About Sr. Platform Engineer, Quizlet

Join Quizlet as a Sr. Platform Engineer in sunny San Francisco, CA, where we’re dedicated to making learning accessible for everyone! At Quizlet, we believe that anyone can learn anything fueled by curiosity and innovative technology. Our platform is a vital resource for millions of students and educators, connecting them through a rich tapestry of user-generated content. As a Sr. Platform Engineer, you will become a key member of a dynamic team focused on building resilient distributed systems that enhance scalability and feature velocity. You’ll collaborate with top-notch developers and engineers to craft strategic solutions that keep our services reliable, observability high, and delivery swift—all while ensuring excellent customer experiences. Your engineering skills will shine as you tackle complex technical challenges, transitioning our architecture toward service-oriented models. Whether it's ramping up automation through Infrastructure as Code practices or refining service insights to track performance patterns, every day will be a new opportunity for creativity and innovation. At Quizlet, we foster a culture of ownership and collaboration, where ideas flourish and risks are thoughtfully taken. This hybrid role welcomes you into a supportive environment where your contributions can drive real change—so if you’re passionate about building reliable and resilient platforms, we would love to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Sr. Platform Engineer Role at Quizlet
What are the main responsibilities of a Sr. Platform Engineer at Quizlet?

As a Sr. Platform Engineer at Quizlet, you will work on strategic projects designed to enhance system resilience and service delivery. Your primary responsibilities include improving observability, increasing service reliability, and contributing to key infrastructure projects. You’ll collaborate closely with both the Product Engineering and Technical Infrastructure teams to ensure seamless service operations and effective scaling strategies.

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What qualifications are needed to become a Sr. Platform Engineer at Quizlet?

To qualify for the Sr. Platform Engineer position at Quizlet, candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in platform engineering, focusing on building scalable and observable distributed services. Proficiency in cloud native technologies, containers, Kubernetes, and Terraform is essential. Additionally, candidates should be fluent in programming languages like GoLang or Python, and possess a strong understanding of incident management in large-scale environments.

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How does Quizlet approach team collaboration for the Sr. Platform Engineer role?

Quizlet emphasizes a culture of collaboration for the Sr. Platform Engineer role by fostering teamwork across various departments. You will work with both Product Engineering and Technical Infrastructure teams to solve complex problems, enhance service performance, and iterate on service delivery processes. Our environment encourages open communication and the sharing of ideas to drive teamwork and mutual understanding.

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What kind of tools and technologies will a Sr. Platform Engineer at Quizlet use?

As a Sr. Platform Engineer at Quizlet, you'll leverage a mix of modern tools and technologies including Kubernetes for production management, Terraform for infrastructure provisioning, and various monitoring solutions to enhance observability across our distributed systems. Familiarity with service mesh implementations and cloud platforms like Google Cloud will significantly benefit your role.

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What opportunities for growth and learning does Quizlet offer to Sr. Platform Engineers?

At Quizlet, we are committed to your professional development. As a Sr. Platform Engineer, you’ll have access to resources like LinkedIn Learning, annual volunteer time off, and a range of wellness benefits. We encourage hands-on experience, mentorship opportunities, and participation in internal workshops to foster continuous growth and learning.

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What is the work environment like for a Sr. Platform Engineer at Quizlet?

The work environment for a Sr. Platform Engineer at Quizlet is hybrid, blending in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. We put a strong focus on creating an inclusive, respectful, and vibrant workplace where everyone's voice is valued, and innovation thrives. Our team culture encourages creativity, open dialogue, and taking ownership of your work.

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Is there a specific engineering methodology Quizlet follows for development?

At Quizlet, we adopt Agile development methodologies to enhance project planning and execution. This approach promotes iterative progress and adaptability, allowing our teams to respond swiftly to technical challenges and adapt to changing project requirements effectively.

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Common Interview Questions for Sr. Platform Engineer
How do you handle scaling challenges in distributed systems?

When handling scaling challenges in distributed systems, I focus on performing load testing, analyzing bottlenecks, and implementing strategies such as microservices architecture. I review resource allocation and utilize container orchestration tools like Kubernetes to optimize performance and reliability.

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Can you describe your experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC)?

In my previous roles, I utilized Infrastructure as Code principles, primarily using tools like Terraform. I automate provisioning and manage cloud resources efficiently. IaC not only speeds up deployments but also ensures consistency and reduces errors, which are essential in a production environment.

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What techniques do you use to improve observability in systems?

To enhance observability, I employ monitoring tools that provide real-time insights into system performance. I focus on implementing logging, metrics, and tracing to gain actionable information. Establishing alerts for anomalies helps in proactively managing issues before they escalate.

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How do you ensure reliability and resilience in services?

Ensuring reliability and resilience involves designing systems with redundancy and fallback mechanisms. I also focus on regular testing and deployment of automated recovery processes to minimize downtime. Following best practices in incident management allows our teams to respond swiftly when issues arise.

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What is your experience with Kubernetes and containerization?

I have extensive experience with Kubernetes, deploying and managing containerized applications at scale. I utilize Kubernetes features like auto-scaling, load balancing, and service discovery to enhance application reliability and performance while reducing operational overhead.

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How do you approach automation in platform engineering?

My approach to automation revolves around identifying repetitive tasks and optimizing operational processes. I implement CI/CD pipelines to streamline deployments and automate infrastructure management using tools like Jenkins and Terraform, thereby reducing human error and increasing efficiency.

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Have you worked with cloud environments? If so, which ones?

Yes, I have hands-on experience with various cloud environments, primarily Google Cloud Platform and AWS. I manage cloud resources, optimize costs, and ensure compliance while leveraging cloud services to enhance scalability for distributed applications.

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Can you provide an example of a complex problem you solved?

In previous projects, I encountered a challenging performance degradation issue due to increased traffic. I investigated the bottlenecks, implemented caching strategies, and optimized database queries, which led to improved responsiveness and user experience across the platform.

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What strategies do you implement for proactive incident management?

For proactive incident management, I establish a robust monitoring system with alerts for potential issues. I conduct regular drills and reviews of incident response to ensure readiness. Additionally, I encourage a blameless post-mortem culture to learn from incidents and enhance our recovery strategies.

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How do you foster collaboration between teams as a Sr. Platform Engineer?

I believe in fostering collaboration through clear communication and shared goals. Regular cross-team meetings to discuss challenges and solutions, along with collaborative tools, help break down silos. I encourage knowledge sharing across teams to enhance our overall effectiveness in problem-solving.

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Helping students (and their teachers) practice and master whatever they are learning.

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Full-time, hybrid
DATE POSTED
November 30, 2024

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