Software Engineer, Infrastructure

As a Software Engineer specializing in Infrastructure at Zip, your main responsibilities will involve improving system reliability and scalability, designing and building testing infrastructure, enhancing CI/CD processes, and developing tools for a seamless developer experience. You'll work on core infrastructure systems including Elasticsearch and Redis, while also contributing to the overall efficiency of our DevOps practices, which is essential for scaling our growing team.

Zip is looking for candidates with at least 5 years of software engineering experience in backend infrastructures. A degree in Computer Science or a related field is essential, along with experience in Kubernetes maintenance and CI/CD systems like Jenkins. Successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to learn new frameworks and programming languages quickly, showcasing their adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

In the Software Engineer, Infrastructure role at Zip, you'll work with a variety of technologies aimed at enhancing our systems' performance. Key technologies you'll encounter include Elasticsearch, Celery, Redis for core infrastructure, and tools such as Kubernetes for system maintenance, as well as CI/CD systems like Jenkins and Spinnaker for continuous integration and deployment.

At Zip, we pride ourselves on a collaborative and inclusive company culture. We are committed to hiring individuals who take ownership of their work, communicate openly, and possess an underdog mindset. Our team celebrates diverse perspectives and experiences, which enrich our innovation capabilities. We believe that everyone, regardless of their background, has a place in our team.

Absolutely! At Zip, we prioritize the professional development of our employees. As a Software Engineer, Infrastructure, you'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects and learn from a talented team, all while advancing your skills in areas like DevOps and infrastructure management. We foster a learning environment where new frameworks and technologies are embraced, ensuring that you're continuously growing in your career.

In preparing for this question, focus on specific examples of projects where you successfully managed Kubernetes clusters. Highlight your understanding of scaling applications, managing deployments, and troubleshooting issues that may arise. Be ready to share insights on best practices for maintaining cluster health and performance.

When answering this question, outline your experience in identifying bottlenecks in existing workflows and areas for improvement. Discuss specific tools or practices you’ve implemented, such as automated testing, feedback loops, and monitoring. Emphasize the importance of continuous feedback in ensuring delivery reliability.

Your answer should demonstrate your understanding of projecting future usage based on trends and patterns. Discuss how you would analyze current system performance, usage metrics, and anticipated growth to make informed decisions for scaling. Include your experience in tools or techniques used in capacity planning.

In your response, detail specific automated testing frameworks you’ve implemented in previous roles. Discuss your strategy for ensuring test coverage and reliability, and how you've integrated testing into the CI/CD pipeline to enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Explain your approach to incident response, emphasizing the importance of a calm and organized strategy. Discuss your experience with creating runbooks and using tools for monitoring and alerting. Provide examples of how you've contributed to post-incident reviews to improve processes.

In your answer, outline your methodology for assessing the current capacity and performance of infrastructure systems. Discuss your experience with load testing and monitoring tools that help identify potential issues. Highlight any specific improvements or optimizations you have made in past roles.

Illustrate your understanding of developer needs by sharing specific tools or scripts you've developed that facilitate easier setup of local development environments. Discuss how these improvements have led to increased developer efficiency and productivity in your past experiences.

Discuss the critical nature of automation in enhancing efficiency and reducing human error in infrastructure management. Provide examples from your experience where automation has saved time or resources, and demonstrate your passion for leveraging technology to improve processes.

Highlight your commitment to continuous learning through participating in webinars, online courses, community forums, or technology-related blogs. Mention specific technologies you're currently exploring relevant to your role and how you plan to implement these learnings in your next position.

Express your enthusiasm for Zip’s mission and innovative approach to procurement orchestration. Discuss how the company’s growth and commitment to technology align with your career goals. Share your excitement about collaborating with a talented team to drive tangible results in an expanding market.