Principal Site Reliability Engineer, Network Observability

Zayo Group
Full_time$115k-164k/year (USD)United States

📍 Job Overview

  • Job Title: Principal Site Reliability Engineer, Network Observability
  • Company: Zayo Group
  • Location: United States - CO - Denver 1401 Wynkoop
  • Job Type: Full-Time
  • Category: DevOps, Site Reliability Engineering
  • Date Posted: 2025-06-25
  • Experience Level: 10+ years
  • Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

  • Key Responsibilities: Ensure network uptime, performance, and scalability with a focus on network observability systems. Automate processes, design monitoring and alerting systems, and manage incidents effectively.
  • Key Skills: Network Observability, Automation, Monitoring, Incident Management, Reliability Engineering, Scalability, Performance, Collaboration, Linux, Scripting, Networking Concepts, Application Protocols, Cloud Platforms, Problem-Solving, Analytical Skills, Critical Thinking, Leadership

💻 Primary Responsibilities

  • Automation: Work with NOC and software engineering teams to identify and automate network observability processes.
  • Monitoring and Alerting: Collaborate with the network observability team to design and implement effective monitoring and alerting systems.
  • Incident Management: Lead incident response, root cause analysis, and resolution. Implement preventative measures and improve incident management processes.
  • Reliability Engineering: Proactively identify and mitigate potential system risks. Focus on automation, monitoring, and tooling to ensure high service availability.
  • Scalability and Performance: Design and implement solutions to handle growing demands while maintaining optimal application performance. Reduce mean time to diagnose issues and automate troubleshooting.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with developers, product managers, and engineers to translate business needs into robust and reliable technical solutions. Promote best practices and efficient processes throughout the organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Experience: Minimum of twelve (12) years of experience in a Senior Network Engineer, Senior Site Reliability Engineer, or related role.

Required Skills:

  • Strong understanding of system administration, Linux, and proficiency in scripting languages (Python and various shells).
  • Exceptional working knowledge of networking concepts and application protocols, especially TCP/IP, BGP, DNS, TLS, and HTTP/S.
  • Expertise in developing automation tools for monitoring, alerting, and deployment.
  • Expertise in designing and implementing monitoring systems at scale.
  • Experience with various monitoring platforms and vendor EMS/NMS systems.
  • Previous work in large-scale distributed production environments.
  • Experience with a variety of cloud platforms and tools (AWS, Google, etc.).
  • Experience with a variety of monitoring and alerting tools (Grafana, Cacti, etc.).
  • Proven leadership skills, with the ability to mentor and inspire others.
  • Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
  • A passion for automation and building efficient systems.
  • Expert experience working in a highly automated environment.

Preferred Experience:

  • Experience working with various vendor APIs (or netconf) including Nokia, Juniper, Fujitsu, Infinera, Cisco, and Ciena.
  • Experience with various network orchestration platforms such as Ciena Blue Planet MDSO, Cisco NSO, Nokia NSP, or others.
  • Experience automating network troubleshooting.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

  • Portfolio Essentials: Demonstrate your expertise in network observability, automation, and incident management through relevant projects and case studies.
  • Technical Documentation: Showcase your ability to document code, processes, and system designs. Highlight your experience with monitoring and alerting tools, and explain your approach to incident management and resolution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $114,900 - $164,200 USD/annually.

Benefits:

  • Excellent Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Retirement 401(k) Savings Plan
  • Generous paid time off policy including paid parental leave

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

  • Industry: Telecommunications
  • Company Size: Large (1,001-5,000 employees)
  • Founded: 2007
  • Team Structure: The Principal Site Reliability Engineer will work closely with the NOC, software engineering teams, and other departments to ensure network uptime, performance, and scalability. The role will collaborate with developers, product managers, and engineers to translate business needs into technical solutions.
  • Development Methodology: Zayo uses Agile methodologies for software development and project management. The Principal Site Reliability Engineer will work within this framework to ensure efficient and effective incident management and resolution.

Career & Growth Analysis:

  • Web Technology Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring a high degree of expertise and experience in network observability, automation, and incident management. The Principal Site Reliability Engineer will have a significant impact on the company's network infrastructure and user experience.
  • Reporting Structure: The Principal Site Reliability Engineer will report directly to the Director of Network Operations and will work closely with various teams, including the NOC, software engineering, and other departments.
  • Technical Impact: The Principal Site Reliability Engineer will have a significant impact on the company's network infrastructure and user experience. They will be responsible for ensuring the uptime, performance, and scalability of the network with a focus on network observability systems.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Growth Opportunity 1: As the Principal Site Reliability Engineer gains experience and expertise, they may have the opportunity to take on more complex projects and lead teams in network observability and incident management.
  • Growth Opportunity 2: The role offers the potential for growth into a leadership or management position, where the Principal Site Reliability Engineer can mentor and guide other engineers and contribute to the strategic direction of the company's network infrastructure.
  • Growth Opportunity 3: The Principal Site Reliability Engineer may have the opportunity to specialize in specific areas of network observability, such as automation, monitoring, or incident management, and become a subject matter expert in that field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a collaborative and dynamic work environment.

Office Location(s): United States - CO - Denver 1401 Wynkoop

Workspace Context:

  • Workspace Aspect 1: The Principal Site Reliability Engineer will work in a collaborative environment with the NOC, software engineering teams, and other departments. They will have access to the necessary tools and resources to perform their job effectively.
  • Workspace Aspect 2: The role requires a high degree of technical expertise and experience in network observability, automation, and incident management. The Principal Site Reliability Engineer will have access to the latest tools and technologies to perform their job effectively.
  • Workspace Aspect 3: The Principal Site Reliability Engineer will have the opportunity to work on complex and challenging projects that require a high degree of creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a standard workweek of 40 hours. The Principal Site Reliability Engineer may be required to work outside of standard hours to manage incidents and ensure network uptime, performance, and scalability.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

  1. Technical Assessment: The candidate will be asked to complete a technical assessment that focuses on their knowledge of network observability, automation, and incident management. The assessment may include questions on networking concepts, application protocols, and cloud platforms.
  2. Behavioral Interview: The candidate will participate in a behavioral interview to assess their problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills. The interview may also focus on the candidate's leadership skills and ability to work in a collaborative environment.
  3. Case Study: The candidate will be presented with a case study that requires them to demonstrate their ability to manage incidents and ensure network uptime, performance, and scalability. The case study may involve a hypothetical network outage or performance degradation.
  4. Final Evaluation: The candidate will participate in a final evaluation with the hiring manager and other stakeholders. The evaluation will focus on the candidate's technical skills, cultural fit, and potential for growth within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Tip 1: Highlight your experience with network observability, automation, and incident management through relevant projects and case studies.
  • Tip 2: Showcase your ability to document code, processes, and system designs. Highlight your experience with monitoring and alerting tools, and explain your approach to incident management and resolution.
  • Tip 3: Demonstrate your understanding of networking concepts, application protocols, and cloud platforms. Explain how your technical expertise and experience make you a strong fit for the role of Principal Site Reliability Engineer.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

  • Challenge 1: Familiarize yourself with the latest trends and best practices in network observability, automation, and incident management. Brush up on your knowledge of networking concepts, application protocols, and cloud platforms.
  • Challenge 2: Practice your problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills through online exercises and case studies. Prepare for the behavioral interview by reflecting on your past experiences and accomplishments.
  • Challenge 3: Research Zayo's company culture and values. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the company's approach to network observability, automation, and incident management.

ATS Keywords: Network Observability, Automation, Monitoring, Incident Management, Reliability Engineering, Scalability, Performance, Collaboration, Linux, Scripting, Networking Concepts, Application Protocols, Cloud Platforms, Problem-Solving, Analytical Skills, Critical Thinking, Leadership

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: Not applicable for this role.

Backend & Server Technologies:

  • Linux (expertise required)
  • Scripting languages (Python and various shells - proficiency required)
  • Cloud platforms (AWS, Google, etc. - experience required)
  • Monitoring platforms (SevOne, Assure1, Prometheus, Nagios, etc. - experience required)
  • Vendor EMS/NMS systems (experience required)

Development & DevOps Tools:

  • Automation tools (expertise required)
  • Monitoring and alerting tools (Grafana, Cacti, etc. - experience required)
  • Network orchestration platforms (Ciena Blue Planet MDSO, Cisco NSO, Nokia NSP, etc. - preferred experience)

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

  • Value 1: A commitment to ensuring network uptime, performance, and scalability through automation, monitoring, and incident management.
  • Value 2: A passion for continuous learning and improvement in network observability, automation, and incident management.
  • Value 3: A dedication to collaboration and knowledge sharing with the NOC, software engineering teams, and other departments.
  • Value 4: A focus on user experience and customer satisfaction through network reliability and performance.

Collaboration Style:

  • Collaboration Approach 1: The Principal Site Reliability Engineer will work closely with the NOC, software engineering teams, and other departments to ensure network uptime, performance, and scalability.
  • Collaboration Approach 2: The role requires a high degree of collaboration and communication with various teams to manage incidents and ensure network observability.
  • Collaboration Approach 3: The Principal Site Reliability Engineer will have the opportunity to mentor and guide other engineers and contribute to the strategic direction of the company's network infrastructure.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

  • Challenge 1: Designing and implementing effective monitoring and alerting systems to proactively identify and address network issues.
  • Challenge 2: Managing complex incidents and ensuring network uptime, performance, and scalability in a large-scale distributed production environment.
  • Challenge 3: Automating network troubleshooting and information collection to reduce mean time to diagnose issues.
  • Challenge 4: Collaborating with various teams, including the NOC, software engineering, and other departments, to ensure network observability and incident management.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Learning Opportunity 1: Attend industry conferences and events focused on network observability, automation, and incident management.
  • Learning Opportunity 2: Obtain certifications in relevant technologies and tools, such as cloud platforms, monitoring and alerting tools, and network orchestration platforms.
  • Learning Opportunity 3: Participate in mentorship programs and leadership development opportunities to advance your career in network observability, automation, and incident management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

  • Question 1: Explain your approach to designing and implementing effective monitoring and alerting systems. Describe your experience with various monitoring platforms and tools.
  • Question 2: Describe a complex incident you've managed in the past. Walk through your approach to root cause analysis, resolution, and preventative measures.
  • Question 3: Explain your experience with automation tools and how you've used them to improve network observability and incident management.

Company & Culture Questions:

  • Question 4: How do you approach collaboration and knowledge sharing with the NOC, software engineering teams, and other departments?
  • Question 5: Describe Zayo's approach to network observability, automation, and incident management. How do you think you can contribute to the company's success in these areas?
  • Question 6: How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in network observability, automation, and incident management?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Strategy 1: Highlight your experience with network observability, automation, and incident management through relevant projects and case studies.
  • Strategy 2: Showcase your ability to document code, processes, and system designs. Highlight your experience with monitoring and alerting tools, and explain your approach to incident management and resolution.
  • Strategy 3: Demonstrate your understanding of networking concepts, application protocols, and cloud platforms. Explain how your technical expertise and experience make you a strong fit for the role of Principal Site Reliability Engineer.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Site Reliability Engineer, Network Observability position:

  1. Submit your application through the application link provided.
  2. Customize your resume to highlight your experience with network observability, automation, and incident management. Include relevant projects and case studies that demonstrate your technical expertise and problem-solving skills.
  3. Prepare for the technical assessment by reviewing networking concepts, application protocols, and cloud platforms. Practice your problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills through online exercises and case studies.
  4. Research Zayo's company culture and values. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the company's approach to network observability, automation, and incident management.
  5. Review the job description and portfolio requirements carefully. Tailor your application materials to address the specific needs and expectations of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and network observability industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and a minimum of twelve years of experience in relevant roles. Strong knowledge of networking concepts, system administration, and experience with various monitoring platforms is essential.