📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Site Reliability Engineer, Observability
Company: Okta
Location: Bellevue, WA
Job Type: On-site
Category: DevOps Engineer
Date Posted: 2025-08-01
Experience Level: 10+
Remote Status: On-site (with travel to San Francisco, CA HQ office during the first week of employment)

🚀 Role Summary

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on driving Okta's observability services, ensuring critical insights into the platform's behavior and performance. It requires a deep understanding of Kubernetes and a strong ability to manage and influence stakeholders.
As a Principal Site Reliability Engineer, Observability, you'll shape the strategy and execution of Okta's observability services, ensuring stakeholders' needs are met. This role involves guiding the design and operation of advanced observability capabilities on a new platform.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong technical background in observability, with a focus on Kubernetes and large-scale containerized deployments. It also demands exceptional stakeholder management skills.
🔑 Become deeply familiar with Okta's critical SaaS platform to provide unparalleled observability insights into its behavior and performance.
🗣 Engage with stakeholders across the group to understand their component boundaries and dependencies, and drive the adoption of observability best practices.
🌟 Champion the evolution of Okta's Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) by defining how microservices and features are ideated, onboarded, operated, and scaled in a secure, performant, always-on manner, with observability as a foundational element from inception.
🤖 Identify, understand, and automate away manual processes through clever code and smart architecture, particularly focusing on how automation can enhance the collection, analysis, and actionability of observability data.
🌍 Support a 24x7 online environment as part of a global on-call rotation, leveraging your deep observability expertise to rapidly identify, diagnose, and resolve the most complex incidents.
📢 Advocate for and establish best practices for scalable, reliable, and resilient systems and services across all of WIC engineering, with a strong emphasis on fostering an observability-driven culture.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Alternatively, equivalent practical experience can be considered.

Experience: 9+ years of experience as a site reliability or platform engineer, preferably in a fast-scaling environment, with a significant and demonstrable track record in leading observability initiatives.

Required Skills:

🐳 2+ years of experience designing, scaling, and operating observability solutions for applications within a Kubernetes environment.
🌐 Familiarity with large-scale containerized deployments, both microservice and monolithic, coupled with a deep understanding of their unique observability challenges and solutions.
💡 A proactive and tenacious mindset: always willing to go the extra mile to identify a problem and drive its resolution, especially when it pertains to improving system visibility and reliability.
👩‍🏫 A strong passion for mentoring and encouraging the development of engineering peers, leading by example in adopting and promoting robust observability practices.
💻 Deep knowledge of CI/CD principles, Linux fundamentals, OS hardening, networking concepts, and Internet protocols, applied strategically to build resilient and observable systems.
💻 Strong skills in multiple operational tooling languages such as Python, Rust, or Go, for automating sophisticated observability tasks and integrations.
📈 Proven ability to effectively manage and influence diverse stakeholders, translating complex technical observability concepts into clear, actionable insights, and ensuring high levels of satisfaction with observability services.
📊 Expert proficiency with Splunk or similar for large-scale log management and advanced analysis.
📈 Extensive experience with Grafana for designing and implementing sophisticated dashboards and visualizations of critical metrics.

Preferred Skills:

🌟 Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure.
🌟 Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform or CloudFormation.
🌟 Knowledge of Prometheus or other open-source monitoring solutions.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

📊 A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating your expertise in observability, with a strong focus on Kubernetes and large-scale containerized deployments.
📊 Examples of successful observability initiatives you've led, highlighting the challenges faced, solutions implemented, and outcomes achieved.
📊 Case studies showcasing your ability to manage and influence stakeholders, with clear evidence of improved observability services and high levels of satisfaction.

Technical Documentation:

📊 Well-documented code and architecture decisions, demonstrating your ability to build resilient and observable systems.
📊 Examples of automated observability tasks and integrations, highlighting your proficiency in Python, Rust, or Go.
📊 Detailed performance metrics and optimization techniques, showcasing your commitment to continuous improvement.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The annual base salary range for candidates located in California (excluding San Francisco Bay Area), Colorado, New York, and Washington is between $194,000 and $290,000 USD.

Benefits:

🩺 Amazing benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance.
💰 401(k) with company match.
💸 Flexible spending account.
🌴 Paid leave, including PTO and parental leave.
💻 Okta offers equity (where applicable), bonus, and benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), flexible spending account, and paid leave (including PTO and parental leave) in accordance with our applicable plans and policies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

🌐 Okta is The World’s Identity Company, providing secure access, authentication, and automation, placing identity at the core of business security and growth.
🌟 Okta celebrates a variety of perspectives and experiences, fostering a culture where everyone can make a significant impact.
🌟 Okta is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees.

🌟 Team Structure

🌐 The Observability team is part of the larger Worldwide Infrastructure and Cloud (WIC) organization, which is responsible for Okta's critical SaaS platform.
🌟 The team consists of highly skilled engineers, focused on delivering advanced observability capabilities to ensure the platform's reliability, performance, and security.
🌟 The Principal Site Reliability Engineer, Observability, will work closely with team members to drive observability initiatives and ensure stakeholder needs are met.

🌟 Development Methodology

🌐 Okta follows Agile methodologies, with a focus on iterative development, continuous integration, and continuous delivery.
🌟 Okta's development process emphasizes collaboration, code review, and automated testing to ensure high-quality, secure, and performant software.
🌟 The Principal Site Reliability Engineer, Observability, will play a crucial role in defining and refining Okta's development processes, with a strong emphasis on observability from inception.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

🌟 Web Technology Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring a deep understanding of observability, Kubernetes, and large-scale containerized deployments. It also demands exceptional stakeholder management skills and a strong ability to drive strategic initiatives.

🌟 Reporting Structure: The Principal Site Reliability Engineer, Observability, will report directly to the Director of Observability, who is responsible for leading the Observability team and driving Okta's observability strategy.

🌟 Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on Okta's critical SaaS platform, ensuring its reliability, performance, and security through advanced observability capabilities. It also influences the broader engineering organization, fostering an observability-driven culture.

🌟 Growth Opportunities:

🌟 With Okta's rapid growth and expanding observability needs, there are ample opportunities for career progression, including potential leadership roles within the Observability team or broader WIC organization.
🌟 Okta encourages continuous learning and skill development, with opportunities to explore emerging technologies and contribute to open-source projects.
🌟 Okta's commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation provides ample opportunities for technical growth and leadership development.

🌐 Work Environment

🏢 Office Type: Okta's Bellevue, WA office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and productivity. The office features open-plan workspaces, meeting rooms, and breakout areas, as well as on-site amenities such as a fully stocked kitchen, gym, and game room.

📍 Office Location(s): Okta's Bellevue, WA office is conveniently located near major transportation hubs, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.

🌟 Workspace Context:

🌟 Okta's collaborative work environment encourages cross-functional team interaction, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
🌟 Okta provides state-of-the-art development tools, multiple monitors, and testing devices to ensure engineers have the resources they need to succeed.
🌟 Okta's workspaces are designed to accommodate various work styles, with options for standing desks, adjustable chairs, and quiet focus areas.

🕒 Work Schedule: Okta offers a flexible work schedule, with core hours between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM PST. Okta's work-from-anywhere policy allows employees to work remotely or from one of Okta's global offices, with in-person collaboration encouraged for team building and knowledge sharing.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

🔑 Interview Process:

📝 Enhancement Note: Okta's interview process is designed to assess your technical skills, cultural fit, and ability to drive observability initiatives within a large-scale SaaS environment.
🔍 Phone Screen: A brief phone call to discuss your background, experience, and interest in the role.
💻 Technical Deep Dive: A comprehensive technical interview focused on your observability expertise, Kubernetes experience, and ability to manage and influence stakeholders. This may include live coding exercises, system design discussions, and architecture decision-making scenarios.
🗣 Cultural Fit Interview: A conversation with a member of the Okta team to assess your cultural fit, alignment with Okta's values, and ability to thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
🌟 Final Interview: A meeting with the hiring manager and other key stakeholders to discuss your qualifications, career aspirations, and fit for the role.

📊 Portfolio Review Tips:

📝 Enhancement Note: Okta values candidates who can demonstrate their observability expertise through a well-curated portfolio, showcasing their ability to drive strategic initiatives and manage complex projects.
📊 Portfolio Tip 1: Highlight your most impactful observability projects, with a focus on Kubernetes and large-scale containerized deployments.
📊 Portfolio Tip 2: Include case studies that demonstrate your ability to manage and influence stakeholders, with clear evidence of improved observability services and high levels of satisfaction.
📊 Portfolio Tip 3: Showcase your technical expertise through well-documented code, architecture decisions, and performance metrics.
📊 Portfolio Tip 4: Tailor your portfolio to Okta's observability needs, highlighting your understanding of Okta's critical SaaS platform and your ability to drive strategic initiatives within the Observability team and broader WIC organization.

💻 Technical Challenge Preparation:

📝 Enhancement Note: Okta's technical challenges are designed to assess your ability to solve complex observability problems, with a focus on Kubernetes and large-scale containerized deployments.
💻 Technical Challenge Preparation Tip 1: Brush up on your Kubernetes knowledge, with a focus on observability-related features and best practices.
💻 Technical Challenge Preparation Tip 2: Familiarize yourself with Okta's critical SaaS platform, understanding its architecture, components, and dependencies.
💻 Technical Challenge Preparation Tip 3: Practice your problem-solving skills, with a focus on identifying root causes, optimizing performance, and ensuring system reliability.

💡 Company & Culture Questions:

📝 Enhancement Note: Okta's company and culture questions are designed to assess your alignment with Okta's values, your ability to thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment, and your long-term fit within the organization.
💡 Company & Culture Question 1: How do you approach driving observability initiatives within a large-scale SaaS environment, and how have you done so in previous roles?
💡 Company & Culture Question 2: Can you describe a time when you had to manage and influence stakeholders to drive the adoption of observability best practices? What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience?
💡 Company & Culture Question 3: How do you stay up-to-date with emerging observability technologies, and how have you incorporated them into your previous roles?

💡 Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

📝 Enhancement Note: Okta values candidates who can effectively communicate their observability expertise, with a clear and engaging portfolio presentation.
💡 Portfolio Presentation Strategy Tip 1: Tailor your presentation to Okta's observability needs, highlighting your understanding of Okta's critical SaaS platform and your ability to drive strategic initiatives within the Observability team and broader WIC organization.
💡 Portfolio Presentation Strategy Tip 2: Use storytelling techniques to engage your audience, with a clear narrative arc that highlights your observability expertise, stakeholder management skills, and strategic thinking.
💡 Portfolio Presentation Strategy Tip 3: Practice your presentation, ensuring you can deliver it confidently and within the allotted time.

💡 ATS Keywords: Okta, Observability, Site Reliability Engineering, Kubernetes, Large-Scale Containerized Deployments, Stakeholder Management, Agile Methodologies, Cloud Platforms, Infrastructure as Code, Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, Python, Rust, Go, Web Development, Server Administration, DevOps, System Architecture, Performance Optimization, Root Cause Analysis, Problem-Solving, Technical Leadership, Strategic Initiatives, Observability Best Practices, Okta's Critical SaaS Platform, Worldwide Infrastructure and Cloud (WIC) Organization, Principal Site Reliability Engineer, Observability, Okta's Bellevue, WA Office, Okta's Company Culture, Okta's Values, Okta's Work Environment, Okta's Interview Process, Okta's Technical Challenges, Okta's Company & Culture Questions, Okta's Portfolio Review Tips, Okta's Technical Challenge Preparation Tips, Okta's Portfolio Presentation Strategy, Okta's ATS Keywords.

📌 Application Steps

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

🔑 Submit your application through the application link provided in the job posting.
📝 Enhancement Note: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your observability expertise, Kubernetes experience, and stakeholder management skills, with a focus on Okta's observability needs and strategic initiatives.
📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare a comprehensive portfolio showcasing your observability projects, case studies, and technical expertise, with a focus on Okta's critical SaaS platform and your ability to drive strategic initiatives within the Observability team and broader WIC organization.
📝 Enhancement Note: Practice your problem-solving skills, with a focus on identifying root causes, optimizing performance, and ensuring system reliability, in preparation for Okta's technical challenges.
📝 Enhancement Note: Familiarize yourself with Okta's company culture, values, and work environment, and prepare thoughtful responses to Okta's company and culture questions, highlighting your alignment with Okta's mission and long-term fit within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Okta's application process is designed to assess your technical skills, cultural fit, and ability to drive observability initiatives within a large-scale SaaS environment. By following these application steps and preparing thoroughly, you'll increase your chances of success in securing this exciting opportunity to shape Okta's observability strategy and ensure the reliability, performance, and security of Okta's critical SaaS platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: Okta is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, or status as a protected veteran. Okta is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws. For more information, please use this Form to request an accommodation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Okta is committed to complying with applicable data privacy and security laws and regulations. For more information, please see Okta's Privacy Policy at https://www.okta.com/privacy-policy/.

Principal Site Reliability Engineer, Observability