Senior Staff Software Engineer, Infrastructure (R3078)

As a Senior Staff Software Engineer specializing in Infrastructure at Shield AI, you will be responsible for owning all aspects of infrastructure-as-code for our Hivemind system. This includes managing performance and maintenance for Hivemind’s enterprise infrastructure, including tools like Azure DevOps and AWS. You will also build out solutions for automating infrastructure, work closely with cross-functional teams to address any engineering needs, and enhance the overall developer experience.

To qualify for the Senior Staff Software Engineer, Infrastructure position at Shield AI, you need a BS in computer science or a related field along with at least 10 years of professional experience. Proficiency in infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform, experience with CI/CD practices, and familiarity with cloud services such as AWS or Azure are essential. Additionally, knowledge of scripting languages, containers, and monitoring tools will set you apart in this role.

At Shield AI, the work environment for a Senior Staff Software Engineer focusing on Infrastructure is collaborative and dynamic. You will work closely with the Software Operations team and cross-functional partners to solve complex technical challenges. We emphasize a culture of continuous learning and problem-solving, empowering you to innovate and contribute to the development of our cutting-edge AI systems. Plus, our office in the San Diego Metro Area offers a great location.

In this role at Shield AI, you will work with a variety of advanced technologies, including infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform and Pulumi, configuration management tools like Ansible and Chef, and monitoring solutions such as Grafana and Datadog. You'll also engage with cloud platforms like Azure and AWS, containers (Docker), and various scripting languages, giving you a broad spectrum of technical exposure to elevate your skills.

As a Senior Staff Software Engineer in Infrastructure at Shield AI, numerous growth opportunities are available. You will be encouraged to learn new technologies and methodologies, engage in cross-departmental projects, and participate in ongoing training. The environment promotes innovation, allowing you to take ownership of projects from inception to production, fostering both personal and professional development in this cutting-edge field.

In your response, share specific tools you have used, like Terraform or CloudFormation. Discuss how you have successfully implemented infrastructure-as-code in previous roles. Highlight a project where this approach improved efficiency and reliability in deployment.

You might illustrate your problem-solving approach by detailing a challenging project. Discuss how you identified the root cause, worked collaboratively with team members, and the steps you took to resolve the issue, ensuring that the solution was sustainable.

When answering, talk about specific initiatives you have taken to enhance the developer experience, such as automating processes, optimizing workflows, or implementing new tools that have led to increased productivity and morale within the engineering team.

Describe the CI/CD platforms you've used, such as GitHub Actions or Azure DevOps. Share a specific example of how you've set up a CI/CD pipeline, challenges you faced, and how your contribution improved the release process.

Discuss your experience with various cloud services like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. Provide examples of projects where you've utilized these services, outlining why you prefer one over the others based on ease of use, features, or performance.

Emphasize your knowledge of security best practices and tools. Talk about specific methods you have implemented to ensure security, such as identity access management or using monitoring tools to detect vulnerabilities.

Share your experience using monitoring tools like Grafana, Splunk, or Prometheus. Highlight your familiarity with setting up alerts, dashboards, and how these tools helped in maintaining system reliability and performance.

Discuss your hands-on experience with containers like Docker and orchestration tools such as Kubernetes. Provide examples of scenarios where you deployed applications in a containerized environment and the benefits you observed.

Provide an example of how you've successfully worked with cross-functional teams in the past, detailing communication strategies, tools you used, and how you ensured that everyone was aligned towards a common objective.

Discuss the importance of automation in infrastructure management, citing examples from your experience where automation has led to efficiency, accuracy, and reduced manual intervention, thereby improving overall performance.