Lead Systems Engineer

My client, a major media firm, seeks a Lead Systems Engineer with a strong web infrastructure background to lead a team in ensuring the highest level of performance for multiple web sites.  Please send qualified resumes with rate/salary requirements to sharyn@vertexsolutionsinc.com .  This is a contract to hire role.  NO THIRD PARTIES.

 

Requirements:

 BS or MS degree in Computer Science or Engineering.10+ years of Solaris (5.8 or 5.10) or Linux (RedHat AS 3 or 4) system administration experience on large, highly scalable enterprise web infrastructures.Unparalleled problem solving through complete understanding of OS, application interfaces and networking: HTTP, TCP/IP, SSH. A passion for troubleshooting and in-depth analysis with the ability to provide logical, conclusive answers and recommendations.Strong understanding of Perl and UNIX shell scripting languages (sh, bash, csh or ksh).Working knowledge of the installation and administration of Apache web servers as well as similar familiarity with Linux-based application servers: Tomcat, JBoss and ATG Dynamo are preferred.Keen interest in creating meaningful policies, procedures and documentation to allow for greater automation, efficiency and reduce downtime.Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical topics verbally and in writing to peers, subordinates and management.Experience with the deployment and configuration of enterprise monitoring tools such as: SiteScope, ProactiveNet, Patrol and Keynote.Experience running infrastructures utilizing Vignette, Endeca or Ruby on Rails would be a plus.Flexibility to deal with after hours on-call support.

 

This candidate will be the lead technologist on the Internet Operations Triage team. The team’s primary responsibility is to maintain the highest levels of performance and availability for highly trafficked media web sites while maintaining high levels of internal customer satisfaction. The team’s duties include troubleshooting and resolving routine to highly complex technical issues highlighted by alerts originating from enterprise monitoring tools, manning a virtual help desk for customer-facing emergency issues as well as coordinating releases, builds and deployment of code and content changes to content management, search and other application server based systems across the infrastructure.

 

Specific responsibilities will include

 

· Building a thorough high level understanding of all portions of the software and hardware systems present in TII’s web infrastructure (approx 600 servers).

· Providing technical leadership and guidance to more junior systems engineers.

· Insuring the organization maintains high service level objectives both from a client request viewpoint and from an operational availability perspective.

· Vetting and training offshore and onshore third shift engineers to take over 1st line troubleshooting and on-call responsibilities.

· Working to enable greater use of offshore resources in triage responsibilities via the development of tools for these non-root users.

· Enforcing best of class system administrative practices including the creation and documentation of process.

· Frequent coordination with subject matter experts and other technical resources within TII and at the hosting company as part of problem resolution process.

 

The right candidate will be a ‘self starter’ who is interested in a technology management track. They will demonstrate an appropriate blend of superior technical, organizational and interpersonal skills.  Strong communication skills, both written and verbal are essential, as is the ability to simultaneously handle multiple projects in a dynamic and fast paced environment.  Ideally the candidate should have previous experience in the operational side of a large Fortune 500 company's web site(s).