Systems Administrator - Dallas, TX

The Systems Administrator at SoundStack plays a critical role in managing the day-to-day operations of our infrastructure. Key responsibilities include deploying and maintaining both Windows and Linux servers, participating in incident management to resolve technical issues efficiently, supporting customer deployments, and using automation tools like Ansible to streamline processes. This role ensures that our infrastructure operates seamlessly, delivering reliable audio solutions to our clients.

To be successful as a Systems Administrator at SoundStack, candidates typically need a strong background in server management—specifically, 3+ years of experience in system administration within a high-availability environment. Familiarity with Windows and Linux systems, virtualization technologies, incident management processes, and experience with automation tools like Ansible are essential. A proactive problem-solving approach and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams are also crucial.

SoundStack is committed to the continuous professional growth of its employees, offering a competitive compensation package and training opportunities tailored to help you develop your skill set. As a Systems Administrator, you'll have access to resources and training designed to enhance your expertise in server management, automation, and other technical areas, ensuring that you stay at the forefront of industry advancements.

At SoundStack, our work environment is casual and friendly, promoting a culture of collaboration and innovation. As a Systems Administrator, you'll work primarily from home with occasional travel to our data centers. We value inclusivity and diversity, which means you’ll be part of an international team that encourages sharing knowledge and best practices to enhance overall operational efficiency.

Key performance indicators for the Systems Administrator role at SoundStack include successful deployment and configuration of new servers aligned with defined service level agreements (SLAs), incident resolution times that meet or exceed team benchmarks, accurate documentation of infrastructure workflows, and increased utilization of automation tools to streamline deployments. These metrics ensure the efficiency and reliability of our infrastructure, directly impacting customer satisfaction.

When answering this question, focus on your hands-on experience with both environments. Discuss specific tasks you've performed, such as server deployments, troubleshooting, and performance optimization. Highlight any relevant projects that demonstrate your expertise and familiarity with managing different types of server architectures.

In your response, emphasize your understanding of incident management processes, including detection, escalation, and resolution. Share examples of past experiences where you've successfully managed incidents, detailing how you collaborated with your team and utilized tools to improve incident resolution times.

Discuss your experience with automation tools, specifically mentioning any you’ve used frequently, like Ansible. Explain how these tools helped you streamline server setups, reduce manual tasks, and ultimately improve efficiency in your past roles. Provide specific examples to demonstrate your impact.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response. Outline the context of the problem, your role in addressing it, the steps you took, and the outcome. This showcases your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for a Systems Administrator.

Detail your approach to maintaining documentation, emphasizing its importance in server management. Discuss how you keep documentation up to date, the format you use, and how this practice improves team collaboration and knowledge sharing within the Technical Operations team.

Discuss any specific cloud platforms you have experience with, such as AWS or Azure. Share examples of how you’ve leveraged cloud services for scalability, deployment, or data management in your previous roles, highlighting any relevant achievements.

Provide a specific example of a workflow improvement you implemented, explaining the context and the rationale behind the change. Describe the steps you took to analyze the current process, the modifications you implemented, and the positive results achieved.

Mention the various resources you utilize, such as online courses, webinars, tech blogs, and community forums. Emphasize your proactive approach to learning, including any certifications you've pursued or technical discussions you've participated in to stay abreast of industry trends.

Explain your time management strategies, such as prioritizing tasks based on urgency and impact. Discuss any tools you use to manage your workload and ensure that you balance day-to-day operations with any long-term projects.

Express your enthusiasm for being part of a company that is leading the way in audio technology. Talk about how your values align with SoundStack's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and accountability, and how you are excited about the opportunity to contribute to the company’s goals.