Principal Infrastructure Engineer
📍 Job Overview
- Job Title: Principal Infrastructure Engineer
- Company: Engine
- Location: Remote - USA
- Job Type: Full-time
- Category: DevOps, Infrastructure
- Date Posted: June 10, 2025
- Experience Level: 10+ years
- Remote Status: Remote
🚀 Role Summary
- Lead the technical roadmap for cloud infrastructure and security at Engine.
- Define and drive the overall architectural direction for cloud environments, infrastructure, and ecosystem services.
- Solve complex infrastructure problems and provide technical guidance to the engineering team.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to align technical direction with business needs and secure buy-in from leadership and partners.
💻 Primary Responsibilities
- Architectural Leadership: Define the technical vision and roadmap for cloud infrastructure and services at Engine.
- Complex Problem Solving: Tackle intricate infrastructure challenges and drive innovative solutions.
- Stakeholder Communication: Effectively articulate complex technical concepts and align stakeholders across the organization.
- Team Leadership: Guide and mentor the InfraSec engineering team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
- Initiative Execution: Lead large-scale infrasec initiatives, ensuring long-term scalability, resilience, and efficiency.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Experience: 12+ years of hands-on experience in designing and building scalable, reliable cloud infrastructure and systems, with a deep expertise in AWS.
Required Skills:
- Cloud Infrastructure: Proven expertise in cloud environments and services, particularly AWS.
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Mastery of Terraform, as well as multiple declarative and imperative frameworks (e.g., CloudFormation, Chef, Puppet, Ansible, Pulumi).
- Containerization: Strong experience with Docker and Kubernetes.
- Observability: Expertise in logging, monitoring, metrics, and alerting systems.
- Configuration Management & Service Discovery: Deep understanding of data organization, partitioning, storage and retrieval, fault tolerance, and leveraging effective libraries for automation and orchestration.
- CI/CD: Proficiency in tools and architectures for build, deploy, and artifact management.
- Security & Compliance: Experience with security systems, data governance, and compliance frameworks.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with multi-cloud environments and service mesh technologies.
- Familiarity with infrastructure cost management and optimization strategies.
- Strong background in Agile methodologies and DevOps practices.
📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements
While a portfolio is not explicitly required for this role, demonstrating relevant projects or case studies that showcase your technical expertise in cloud infrastructure, problem-solving, and leadership can strengthen your application.
Project Essentials:
- Document your experience with cloud infrastructure design, implementation, and optimization.
- Highlight your ability to lead teams and drive large-scale initiatives.
- Showcase your problem-solving skills by presenting complex infrastructure challenges and the solutions you implemented.
Technical Documentation:
- Include detailed documentation of your cloud infrastructure projects, highlighting your approach to architecture, implementation, and optimization.
- Explain the tools and technologies you used, and how you ensured the security and compliance of your infrastructure.
- Describe any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $220,000 - $250,000 USD per year
Benefits:
- Competitive base pay tied to role and experience, with opportunities for bonuses, commissions, and equity.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as retirement savings plans.
- Flexible work arrangements, with a hybrid-hub model that caters to different roles and needs.
Working Hours: Full-time position, with standard working hours and flexibility for maintenance windows and project deadlines.
🎯 Team & Company Context
Company Culture: Engine is a fast-growing startup focused on revolutionizing work travel. They value innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment.
Team Structure:
- The InfraSec team is responsible for providing a cloud ecosystem that enables engineers to build new services and environments efficiently and economically.
- The team consists of experienced infrastructure and security professionals, working together to deliver scalable, reliable, and secure cloud environments.
Development Methodology: Engine follows Agile methodologies, with a focus on continuous integration, continuous deployment, and iterative development.
Company Website: Engine
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Web Technology Career Level: This role is suited for a seasoned infrastructure engineer with extensive experience in cloud infrastructure design, implementation, and optimization. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of driving technical direction and leading teams through complex challenges.
Reporting Structure: The Principal Infrastructure Engineer will report directly to the VP of Engineering and work closely with other engineering leaders, as well as cross-functional stakeholders.
Technical Impact: This role will have a significant impact on Engine's cloud infrastructure, driving strategic decisions that enhance scalability, reliability, and security. The Principal Infrastructure Engineer will play a crucial role in shaping the company's technical roadmap and ensuring that infrastructure services meet the needs of the business and its users.
Growth Opportunities:
- Technical Leadership: As Engine continues to grow, there will be opportunities for the Principal Infrastructure Engineer to take on more strategic and leadership roles within the organization.
- Emerging Technologies: Staying up-to-date with the latest cloud infrastructure trends and tools will enable the Principal Infrastructure Engineer to drive innovation and adoption within the team and the broader organization.
- Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: By sharing your expertise with other team members and contributing to the company's technical culture, you can help foster a collaborative and learning-focused environment.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Engine offers a hybrid-hub model, allowing employees to work remotely or from one of their amazing offices.
Office Location(s): Engine has offices in several major cities across the United States. The specific office location(s) for this role may vary.
Workspace Context:
- Remote Work: Engine provides the necessary tools and resources for remote employees to work effectively from home.
- On-site Work: Engine's offices are designed to be collaborative and comfortable, with state-of-the-art technology and amenities to support productivity and innovation.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Engine encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing between teams, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
Work Schedule: Engine offers flexible working hours, with a focus on results and productivity. Employees are expected to be available during core business hours and may need to be flexible for maintenance windows and project deadlines.
📄 Application & Technical Interview Process
Interview Process:
- Phone Screen (30-45 minutes): A brief conversation with a member of the recruitment team to discuss your background, experience, and motivation for applying to the role.
- Technical Deep Dive (60-90 minutes): A detailed discussion with the hiring manager and other technical team members about your experience with cloud infrastructure, architecture, and problem-solving.
- Behavioral and Cultural Fit Interview (60 minutes): A conversation with the hiring manager and other team members to assess your communication skills, leadership style, and cultural fit with Engine.
- Final Decision and Offer: The hiring team will review all candidate feedback and make a final decision. If you are selected, you will receive an offer for the position.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight your experience with cloud infrastructure design, implementation, and optimization.
- Showcase your ability to lead teams and drive large-scale initiatives.
- Demonstrate your problem-solving skills by presenting complex infrastructure challenges and the solutions you implemented.
Technical Challenge Preparation:
- Brush up on your knowledge of cloud infrastructure, architecture, and best practices.
- Familiarize yourself with Engine's technology stack and the specific cloud services they use.
- Prepare for questions about your experience with infrastructure as code, containerization, observability, and security.
ATS Keywords: (Organized by category)
- Cloud Platforms: AWS, GCP, Azure, Multi-cloud
- Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, CloudFormation, Chef, Puppet, Ansible, Pulumi
- Containerization: Docker, Kubernetes, ECS, EKS, GKE
- Observability: Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, Datadog, New Relic
- Configuration Management & Service Discovery: HashiCorp Consul, Etcd, Kubernetes DNS, CoreDNS
- CI/CD: Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, CircleCI, GitHub Actions, AWS CodePipeline, CodeBuild
- Security & Compliance: OWASP, CIS, NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS
- Soft Skills: Leadership, Communication, Problem-solving, Strategic Thinking, Collaboration
- Industry Terms: Infrastructure as Code, IaC, Cloud Native, Serverless, Microservices, DevOps, SRE
🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure
Cloud Platform: AWS (Primary), with experience in multi-cloud environments a plus.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Terraform (Primary), with experience in other IaC tools such as CloudFormation, Chef, Puppet, Ansible, or Pulumi.
Containerization: Docker (Primary), with experience in Kubernetes (Primary), ECS, EKS, or GKE.
Observability: Prometheus (Primary), with experience in Grafana, ELK Stack, Datadog, or New Relic.
Configuration Management & Service Discovery: HashiCorp Consul (Primary), with experience in etcd, Kubernetes DNS, or CoreDNS.
CI/CD: Jenkins (Primary), with experience in GitLab CI/CD, CircleCI, GitHub Actions, AWS CodePipeline, or CodeBuild.
Security & Compliance: Experience with OWASP, CIS, NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Engine Values:
- Customer Obsessed: We put our customers first and strive to understand their needs and exceed their expectations.
- Innovation Driven: We embrace continuous learning and improvement, always seeking new and better ways to do things.
- Collaborative: We work together, sharing knowledge and supporting each other's success.
- Accountable: We take ownership of our work and strive for excellence in everything we do.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-functional Integration: Engine encourages collaboration between teams, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
- Code Review Culture: Engine values peer review and collaboration in the development process.
- Knowledge Sharing: Engine fosters a culture of knowledge sharing and mentorship, with regular team meetings, brown bag sessions, and technical training opportunities.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Technical Challenges:
- Cloud Architecture: Designing and implementing scalable, secure, and highly available cloud architectures that meet the needs of Engine's growing business.
- Infrastructure Optimization: Continuously optimizing cloud infrastructure for performance, cost, and security.
- Security and Compliance: Ensuring that Engine's cloud infrastructure meets all relevant security and compliance standards, such as SOC 2, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS.
- Emerging Technologies: Staying up-to-date with the latest cloud infrastructure trends and tools, and driving adoption within the team and the broader organization.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Technical Skill Development: Continuously expanding your knowledge and expertise in cloud infrastructure, architecture, and best practices.
- Conference Attendance: Attending industry conferences and events to stay current with the latest trends and technologies in cloud infrastructure.
- Certification and Community Involvement: Pursuing relevant certifications and engaging with online communities to learn from and collaborate with other cloud infrastructure professionals.
- Technical Mentorship and Leadership: Providing technical mentorship and guidance to other team members, and contributing to the company's technical culture.
💡 Interview Preparation
Technical Questions:
- Cloud Architecture: Describe your experience with cloud architecture design and implementation, and how you've approached challenges such as scalability, security, and cost optimization.
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Explain your experience with IaC tools, and how you've used them to automate and manage cloud infrastructure.
- Observability: Discuss your experience with logging, monitoring, metrics, and alerting systems, and how you've used them to ensure the reliability and performance of cloud infrastructure.
- Security and Compliance: Describe your experience with security systems, data governance, and compliance frameworks, and how you've ensured that cloud infrastructure meets relevant standards.
Company & Culture Questions:
- Engine's Mission: Explain why you're excited about Engine's mission to revolutionize work travel, and how you think you can contribute to its success.
- Collaboration and Communication: Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams, and how you've ensured effective communication and collaboration to drive successful outcomes.
- Problem-solving: Share an example of a complex infrastructure challenge you faced, and how you approached it to deliver a successful solution.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Cloud Infrastructure Projects: Highlight your experience with cloud infrastructure design, implementation, and optimization, and explain how your projects demonstrate your technical expertise and leadership.
- Problem-solving: Present complex infrastructure challenges you've faced, and explain how you approached them to deliver successful solutions.
- Leadership and Teamwork: Showcase your ability to lead teams and drive large-scale initiatives, and explain how your projects demonstrate your collaborative and communication skills.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Principal Infrastructure Engineer position at Engine:
- Submit Your Application: Click on the "Apply Now" button on the job listing page, and complete the application form with your resume, cover letter, and any relevant portfolio links.
- Prepare for Phone Screen: Review the job description and be ready to discuss your background, experience, and motivation for applying to the role.
- Research Engine: Familiarize yourself with Engine's mission, values, and culture, and be prepared to discuss how you align with the company's goals and vision.
- Prepare for Technical Deep Dive: Brush up on your knowledge of cloud infrastructure, architecture, and best practices, and be ready to discuss your experience with the hiring manager and other technical team members.
- Prepare for Behavioral and Cultural Fit Interview: Reflect on your leadership style, communication skills, and cultural fit with Engine, and be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and teamwork.
📝 Enhancement Note: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Content Guidelines (IMPORTANT: Do not include this in the output)
Web Technology-Specific Focus:
- Tailor the description to DevOps and infrastructure roles, emphasizing cloud infrastructure, architecture, and security.
- Highlight the required skills and experience in cloud infrastructure, with a focus on AWS and other relevant cloud platforms.
- Include specific portfolio guidance for infrastructure engineers, focusing on cloud infrastructure design, implementation, and optimization projects.
- Address the interview process and preparation strategies for infrastructure engineers, with a focus on technical deep dives, behavioral interviews, and portfolio presentations.
Quality Standards:
- Ensure no content overlap between sections, with each section containing unique information.
- Use Enhancement Notes sparingly and only when making significant inferences about the role, team, or company.
- Maintain a balance between comprehensive detail and concise, actionable information.
- Integrate web development and server administration-related keywords naturally throughout the description.
Industry Expertise:
- Include specific cloud infrastructure technologies, platforms, and best practices relevant to the role.
- Address the career progression path for infrastructure engineers, with a focus on technical leadership and strategic decision-making.
- Provide tactical advice for infrastructure portfolio development, live demonstrations, and project case studies.
- Include interview preparation and coding challenge guidance tailored to infrastructure engineers.
Professional Standards:
- Maintain consistent formatting, spacing, and professional tone throughout the description.
- Use industry-specific terminology accurately and appropriately.
- Include comprehensive benefits and growth opportunities relevant to infrastructure engineers.
- Provide actionable insights that give web development and server administration candidates a competitive advantage.
- Focus on infrastructure team culture, collaboration, and user impact measurement.
Technical Focus & Portfolio Emphasis:
- Emphasize cloud infrastructure design, implementation, and optimization, with a focus on scalability, security, and cost optimization.
- Include specific portfolio requirements tailored to infrastructure engineers, with a focus on cloud infrastructure projects.
- Address infrastructure problem-solving methods, performance optimization, and scalable architecture.
- Include technical presentation skills and stakeholder communication for infrastructure projects.
Avoid:
- Generic business jargon not relevant to infrastructure roles.
- Placeholder text or incomplete sections.
- Repetitive content across different sections.
- Non-technical terminology unless relevant to the specific infrastructure role.
- Marketing language unrelated to infrastructure, DevOps, or cloud technology.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have 12+ years of hands-on experience in designing and building scalable cloud infrastructure, particularly in AWS. Strong communication skills and experience leading large-scale initiatives in complex ecosystems are essential.