Senior Software Engineer - Compute API

As a Senior Software Engineer - Compute API at Roblox, your primary responsibilities include developing the central API that facilitates the deployment of infrastructure across all engineering teams. You'll build a robust control plane leveraging Kubernetes primitives, work on high-quality code primarily in Golang, and ensure the integration of essential services like CockroachDB and Redis. Close collaboration with a sizable infrastructure organization is crucial, as you will bridge the gap between our tools and the thousands of Roblox engineers globally.

To qualify for the Senior Software Engineer - Compute API role at Roblox, you should have a minimum of 4 years of experience as a Software Engineer, with a strong background in working on critical, large-scale distributed systems. A solid understanding of observability and instrumentation tools is essential, as is a preference for automating processes rather than performing repetitive tasks. Your programming skills, particularly in Golang, will be vital for success in this role.

Roblox is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment for the Senior Software Engineer - Compute API team. We emphasize collaboration and community, seeking individuals who value teamwork and shared success. Our office in San Mateo features amenities like catered lunches and wellness programs that promote a balanced lifestyle. Additionally, we actively work to create a civil online experience through our tools and platforms, further reflecting our company values.

As a Senior Software Engineer - Compute API, you can expect a competitive salary range between $192,890 and $238,520 USD, reflective of your experience and qualifications. Beyond the attractive salary, Roblox offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes exceptional medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with a rewarding 401k program and flexible vacation policies to ensure work-life balance.

The work culture at Roblox's San Mateo headquarters is vibrant and supportive, designed to foster creativity and collaboration among Senior Software Engineers. You’ll find a welcoming environment backed by our flexible work policies that allow for both in-office and remote work options. With regular team gatherings, free catered lunches, and a focus on work-life balance, Roblox ensures that every team member feels valued and connected.

In discussing your experience with distributed systems, highlight specific projects or roles where you've designed, implemented, or maintained large-scale systems. Focus on challenges faced, your approach to scalability, and how you ensured reliability. Mention any relevant technologies used, such as Kubernetes or cloud services, as well as your ability to work collaboratively to innovate in such environments.

Discuss your approach to ensuring code quality through practices like peer code reviews, testing (unit and integration), and continuous integration pipelines. Provide examples of how you’ve written automated tests and maintained documentation to ensure that the API remains reliable and user-friendly, as well as how you’ve used observability tools to monitor performance.

In responding to this question, share your hands-on experience with Golang, mentioning specific projects you've worked on. Discuss what you appreciate about the language, such as its concurrency model, performance, or simplicity, and how these features have benefited your work in building scalable applications.

Explain your collaborative strategies, including how you ensure clear communication with cross-functional teams. Examples might include using tools for project management, being proactive in discussions, and setting up regular syncs to align efforts. Highlight the importance of inclusivity within team dynamics and how it contributes to successful project outcomes.

Share a specific instance where you identified a bottleneck or inefficiency in your workflow or team processes. Describe how you analyzed the problem, proposed solutions, and implemented changes. Emphasize the positive impact of your actions on team productivity, project timelines, or overall quality.

Discuss the importance of automation in your development process, detailing how it minimizes repetitive tasks and boosts efficiency. Share examples of tools or scripts you've implemented to streamline workflows in infrastructure management, testing, or deployment, emphasizing the time and resources saved as a result.

Highlight your approach to task prioritization, which might include using frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix or tools like Kanban boards. Discuss how you evaluate urgency versus importance and provide examples from past experiences where effective prioritization led to successful project management.

Outline the key factors you consider in API design, such as usability, scalability, and security. Discuss how you gather requirements from stakeholders, document the design, and incorporate feedback to create an API that meets user needs while also being maintainable in the long run. Include examples of practices, such as adhering to RESTful principles or using API versioning.

Discuss your openness to feedback and how you view it as an opportunity for growth. Share strategies for receiving constructive criticism positively, learning from it, and incorporating feedback into your work. Providing examples of how you've made changes based on peer suggestions shows adaptability and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Articulate your motivation for wanting to work at Roblox by aligning your personal goals with the company’s mission. Highlight aspects of the job that excite you, such as the opportunity to contribute to a platform that fosters creativity and connection. Sharing your passion for technology and community involvement can resonate well during the interview.