Senior Software Engineer, Infrastructure Engineering - job 1 of 2

As a Senior Software Engineer in Infrastructure Engineering at StackAdapt, you'll have an exciting range of responsibilities. Your main tasks will include enhancing our AWS infrastructure using the latest best practices, overseeing critical databases, and developing infrastructure services that allow our engineering teams to manage their deployments seamlessly. Additionally, you will set up tools for automation, conduct security reviews, and create comprehensive documentation to guide our teams. This role empowers you to be a key player in supporting and optimizing our cloud-based applications.

For the Senior Software Engineer role in Infrastructure Engineering at StackAdapt, we're looking for candidates with at least 5 years of experience in Infrastructure, Cloud, or Backend engineering. A strong background in AWS or another major cloud provider is essential. Candidates must also possess programming, system design, and scripting skills, as well as experience with databases. A deep understanding of infrastructure as code and application/network security is crucial for success in this position.

At StackAdapt, the Senior Software Engineer in Infrastructure Engineering will work with a variety of cutting-edge technologies. Our stack includes AWS services, Terraform for infrastructure as code, Redis, Aerospike, Kafka, and various others. You'll also have the opportunity to explore tools for automation and security. We encourage our engineers to experiment with new tech, cultivating an environment where innovation thrives.

StackAdapt offers a range of benefits for Senior Software Engineers, including a competitive salary, a generous vacation policy that features three weeks of vacation plus personal days, and flexible working arrangements as a remote-first company. Employees also have access to comprehensive mental health care, great parental leave policies, and support for personal development initiatives such as conferences and courses. Furthermore, our friendly and inclusive culture fosters collaboration across teams.

Yes! StackAdapt is committed to a remote-first approach, meaning that Senior Software Engineers can work from anywhere in North America. This flexibility allows our employees to balance their personal lives while contributing to our innovative projects. We also organize social and team events online to maintain our collaborative culture and support among colleagues.

When prioritizing tasks for multiple infrastructure projects, I assess the urgency and importance of each task by evaluating deadlines, the impact on other teams, and the overall project goals. I use tools like Kanban boards for visualization, ensuring transparency and accountability. Effective communication with team members is also key to align priorities, allowing us to focus on what delivers the most value and maintain momentum.

In my previous role, I extensively utilized AWS for scaling applications and managing infrastructure. For instance, I architected a highly available system using EC2, RDS, and S3, configuring them for optimal performance and cost efficiency. I also set up IAM for security and compliance, allowing teams to work within governed limits without sacrificing autonomy. Sharing specific successes can help illustrate my practical knowledge in AWS.

Infrastructure as code (IaC) is a practice in which infrastructure is provisioned and managed through machine-readable scripts, rather than manual configuration. It is crucial because it enables consistency, repeatability, and efficiency in deploying environments. This leads to reduced errors and faster recovery methods during outages. In my experience, using tools like Terraform simplified infrastructure management, allowing us to quickly scale and adapt as requirements evolved.

In my last position, we faced a critical downtime due to a database performance issue. I organized a rapid response team to conduct a performance analysis and found that scaling up the read replicas would alleviate the bottleneck. After implementing the solution, we saw a 50% improvement in query response times. I also recommended regular performance evaluations to preemptively mitigate any similar issues in the future.

Ensuring security in cloud environments is paramount. I follow best practices, such as implementing IAM policies to manage permissions diligently. Regular security audits and compliance checks aid in identifying vulnerabilities. Additionally, I advocate for continuous education on security trends and incorporate automated security tools for monitoring and alerting, ensuring a proactive rather than reactive security posture.

My experience with database management includes tasks such as setting up, maintaining, and optimizing both SQL and NoSQL databases. I've worked with PostgreSQL and DynamoDB, focusing on improving performance through indexing and effective schema design. Database migrations and backups were also part of my responsibilities, ensuring minimal downtime and data integrity while scaling systems to handle increasing loads.

Collaboration with DevOps teams is integral to achieving our shared goals. I regularly participate in stand-ups and project planning sessions, ensuring that we are aligned on objectives. Utilizing shared documentation and communication tools fosters transparency and encourages feedback. This enhances our ability to iterate on solutions and collectively address challenges, ultimately leading to more robust and scalable outcomes.

I primarily work with Python and Bash for scripting due to their simplicity and versatility. Python’s extensive libraries facilitate automation and service integration easily, while Bash is perfect for quick, command-line based scripting in Unix environments. This combination allows me to create efficient scripts for a range of tasks, enhancing the productivity of both myself and the teams I support.

I have substantial experience using Terraform to manage infrastructure as code. I've utilized it to provision, manage, and automate deployment across multiple cloud environments. My approach often involves creating reusable modules that streamline our processes and reduce duplication. This helps our teams deploy infrastructure efficiently and consistently, ensuring compliance with our security and operational standards.

I am genuinely excited about the opportunity at StackAdapt due to its emphasis on innovation and technology. The challenge of working with sophisticated cloud infrastructure and contributing to a high-performing team aligns perfectly with my professional goals. I admire StackAdapt's culture of inclusivity and continuous learning, and I'm eager to bring my skills to a platform that's recognized for its excellence in digital advertising strategies.