📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Site Reliability Engineer
Company: Credit Karma
Location: Charlotte, NC
Job Type: On-site
Category: DevOps, Site Reliability Engineering
Date Posted: August 8, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years

🚀 Role Summary

Drive innovative solutions to leverage cloud capabilities for a seamless platform.
Design, deploy, and maintain high-throughput Kafka clusters supporting real-time data streaming at scale.
Collaborate across engineering and product teams to translate application requirements into infrastructure capabilities.
Maintain an automation-centric vision and incorporate SRE methodologies to increase reliability and decrease toil.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in Linux systems, networking, and containers, as well as a solid understanding of infrastructure and cloud technologies. Proficiency in scripting languages like Python or Go is also essential.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Drive solutions and implement systems that propel the organization by leveraging the capability of the cloud to provide a seamless platform.
Design, deploy, and maintain high-throughput Kafka clusters supporting real-time data streaming at scale.
Core infrastructure service architecture and reliability (Kafka, DNS, GCS, BigQuery, ContainerOptimizedOS, etc.).
Core infrastructure tools and frameworks (Configuration Management, IAM, CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, AIOps, Monitoring, HA, etc.).
Work with public cloud providers (e.g., Google Cloud Platform, AWS) and container orchestration systems like Kubernetes.
Collaborate across engineering and product teams to translate application requirements into infrastructure capabilities.
Maintain an automation-centric vision and incorporate SRE methodologies in an effort to increase reliability and decrease toil.
Involvement in technical design and architecture discussions and decisions, as well as contributing to technical troubleshooting in various parts of the stack.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a deep understanding of Linux systems, networking, and containers, as well as strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with various teams.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience: 5+ years of experience in Site Reliability Engineering, DevOps, or a similar role.

Required Skills:

Strong understanding of Linux systems, networking (TCP/IP, HTTP, DNS, TLS), and containers.
Experience supporting Kafka/Pubsub data infrastructure and working alongside data engineering teams.
Strong understanding of computer engineering with a focus on infrastructure, platform, and application (cloud, containerization, container orchestration, network, application reliability, database architecture).
Experience running infrastructure at scale; utilizing configuration management and automation to ensure scale and reliability.
Proficient in scripting with Python, Go, or other high-level object-oriented languages for automation and process optimization.
Ability to communicate effectively vertically and horizontally within the organization via demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Skills:

Experience operating large Kafka clusters with exposure to contributing/updating open-source Kafka clients/frameworks.
Experience developing technical design documents, roadmaps, and architectural plans for at-scale infrastructure solutions.
Advanced knowledge of Python, Go, or other higher-level OOP languages (e.g., Ruby, C++, Scala, etc.).
Familiarity with information security principles and best practices in virtual environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates with experience in large-scale Kafka clusters and advanced scripting skills will have a significant advantage in this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate experience with Linux systems, networking, and containers through relevant projects or case studies.
Showcase your understanding of Kafka and data infrastructure by highlighting projects involving real-time data streaming and processing.
Display your ability to design, deploy, and maintain reliable infrastructure services and tools.
Illustrate your proficiency in scripting languages like Python or Go through automation and process optimization projects.

Technical Documentation:

Provide well-documented code examples showcasing your ability to write clean, efficient, and maintainable scripts.
Include technical design documents, roadmaps, or architectural plans for infrastructure solutions you've worked on.
Demonstrate your understanding of SRE methodologies and how you've applied them to increase reliability and decrease toil in previous projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should focus on demonstrating their technical skills and expertise in Linux systems, networking, and containers, as well as their ability to design, deploy, and maintain reliable infrastructure services and tools.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $200,000 per year (Based on market research for Senior Site Reliability Engineers in Charlotte, NC)

Benefits:

Medical and Dental Coverage
Retirement Plan
Commuter Benefits
Wellness Perks
Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, Baby Bonding, Cultural Observance, and More)
Education Perks
Paid Gift Week in December

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible scheduling for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research for Senior Site Reliability Engineers in Charlotte, NC. Actual compensation may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

Industry: Credit Karma is a mission-driven company focused on championing financial progress for its members. They offer free credit scores, identity monitoring, and other financial services.
Company Size: Medium (1,700 employees)
Founded: 2007

Team Structure:

The Site Reliability Engineering team is responsible for enabling the organization by developing tooling and architectural patterns to leverage the public cloud in a reliable and scalable manner.
The team collaborates with various engineering and product teams to translate application requirements into infrastructure capabilities.

Development Methodology:

Agile/Scrum methodologies with sprint planning for infrastructure projects.
Code review, testing, and quality assurance practices.
Deployment strategies, CI/CD pipelines, and server management.

Company Website: Credit Karma

📝 Enhancement Note: Credit Karma is a mission-driven company with a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement. The Site Reliability Engineering team plays a crucial role in enabling the organization by developing tooling and architectural patterns to leverage the public cloud in a reliable and scalable manner.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior Site Reliability Engineer - Responsible for driving solutions and implementing systems that propel the organization by leveraging cloud capabilities for a seamless platform. This role requires a strong background in Linux systems, networking, and containers, as well as a solid understanding of infrastructure and cloud technologies.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Site Reliability Engineering Manager and collaborates with various engineering and product teams to translate application requirements into infrastructure capabilities.

Technical Impact: The Senior Site Reliability Engineer has a significant impact on the reliability and scalability of Credit Karma's infrastructure, ensuring that the company's services are available and performant for its members.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Growth: Expand your expertise in cloud technologies, containerization, and infrastructure as code (IaC) by working on cutting-edge projects and collaborating with experienced team members.
Leadership Development: Develop your leadership skills by mentoring junior team members, contributing to technical decision-making processes, and driving team initiatives.
Architecture & Design: Gain experience in designing and implementing large-scale, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems by working on complex infrastructure projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth opportunities for candidates looking to expand their technical expertise, develop leadership skills, and gain experience in designing and implementing large-scale infrastructure systems.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, collaborative workspace with a focus on cross-functional integration between developers, designers, and stakeholders.

Office Location(s): Charlotte, NC

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Workspace: The Charlotte office features an open and collaborative workspace designed to facilitate cross-functional team interaction and knowledge sharing.
Development Tools: The team uses a variety of tools and technologies, including Linux, Python, Go, Kafka, and cloud platforms like Google Cloud Platform and AWS.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: The Site Reliability Engineering team works closely with various engineering and product teams to ensure that infrastructure capabilities meet application requirements.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible scheduling for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines. The team follows Agile/Scrum methodologies with sprint planning for infrastructure projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site, collaborative work environment at Credit Karma fosters cross-functional team interaction and knowledge sharing, enabling team members to work effectively with various engineering and product teams.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Technical Phone Screen: A 30-45 minute phone screen to assess your technical skills and understanding of Linux systems, networking, and containers.
On-site Technical Deep Dive: A 4-5 hour on-site technical deep dive, including a system design exercise, coding challenge, and architecture discussion.
Behavioral Interview: A 1-hour behavioral interview to assess your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.
Final Review: A final review with the hiring manager to discuss your fit for the role and the team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your experience with Linux systems, networking, and containers through relevant projects or case studies.
Demonstrate your understanding of Kafka and data infrastructure by discussing real-time data streaming and processing projects.
Showcase your ability to design, deploy, and maintain reliable infrastructure services and tools through detailed project descriptions and technical documentation.
Illustrate your proficiency in scripting languages like Python or Go through automation and process optimization projects.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your Linux systems, networking, and containers knowledge, focusing on relevant command-line tools and best practices.
Practice system design exercises and architecture discussions to prepare for the on-site technical deep dive.
Review your understanding of Kafka and data infrastructure, focusing on real-time data streaming and processing.

ATS Keywords: Linux, Systems, Networking, Containers, Kafka, Data Infrastructure, Cloud, Infrastructure as Code, IaC, Python, Go, Agile, Scrum, Collaboration, Cross-functional, Teamwork, Problem-solving, Architecture, Design, Leadership, Growth, Technical, Senior, Site Reliability Engineering

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. Candidates should focus on demonstrating their expertise in Linux systems, networking, and containers, as well as their ability to design, deploy, and maintain reliable infrastructure services and tools.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: N/A (This role is focused on backend and infrastructure technologies)

Backend & Server Technologies:

Kafka: Design, deploy, and maintain high-throughput Kafka clusters supporting real-time data streaming at scale.
Cloud Platforms: Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) for infrastructure services and application hosting.
Containerization: Docker and Kubernetes for containerizing applications and managing infrastructure services.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Terraform and CloudFormation for automating infrastructure provisioning and management.

Development & DevOps Tools:

Configuration Management: Ansible and Puppet for managing infrastructure configurations and ensuring consistency across environments.
CI/CD Pipelines: Jenkins and GitLab CI for automating build, test, and deployment processes.
Monitoring Tools: Prometheus and Grafana for monitoring infrastructure services and application performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong understanding of backend and infrastructure technologies, including Kafka, cloud platforms, containerization, and infrastructure as code (IaC). Familiarity with configuration management, CI/CD pipelines, and monitoring tools is also essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Innovation: Credit Karma values innovation and encourages team members to explore new technologies and approaches to solve complex problems.
Collaboration: The company fosters a collaborative work environment, with a focus on cross-functional team interaction and knowledge sharing.
Continuous Learning: Credit Karma prioritizes continuous learning and provides opportunities for team members to expand their skills and expertise.
Member-centric: The company is dedicated to championing financial progress for its members and ensuring that its products and services meet their needs.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Integration: The Site Reliability Engineering team works closely with various engineering and product teams to ensure that infrastructure capabilities meet application requirements.
Code Review Culture: The team follows a code review process to ensure code quality, knowledge sharing, and collective code ownership.
Knowledge Sharing: Team members actively share their knowledge and expertise with one another, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: Credit Karma's team culture is focused on innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. The Site Reliability Engineering team works closely with various engineering and product teams to ensure that infrastructure capabilities meet application requirements and foster a culture of knowledge sharing and collective code ownership.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Scaling Kafka Clusters: Design, deploy, and maintain high-throughput Kafka clusters supporting real-time data streaming at scale, ensuring reliability, availability, and performance.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Develop and maintain Terraform and CloudFormation configurations for automating infrastructure provisioning and management, ensuring consistency across environments.
Cloud Migration: Migrate legacy infrastructure to cloud-based solutions, optimizing for cost, performance, and scalability.
System Design & Architecture: Design and implement large-scale, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems, considering performance, security, and scalability requirements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Cloud Technologies: Expand your expertise in cloud technologies, containerization, and infrastructure as code (IaC) by working on cutting-edge projects and collaborating with experienced team members.
Leadership Development: Develop your leadership skills by mentoring junior team members, contributing to technical decision-making processes, and driving team initiatives.
Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and trends in the infrastructure and cloud computing space, and explore how they can be applied to Credit Karma's products and services.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant technical challenges and growth opportunities for candidates looking to expand their expertise in cloud technologies, containerization, and infrastructure as code (IaC). The role also offers opportunities for leadership development and exposure to emerging technologies in the infrastructure and cloud computing space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

System Design: Describe your approach to designing and implementing large-scale, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems. Discuss trade-offs between performance, security, and scalability.
Kafka Architecture: Explain your understanding of Kafka architecture and how you've designed, deployed, and maintained high-throughput Kafka clusters supporting real-time data streaming at scale.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Describe your experience with Terraform and CloudFormation, and how you've used these tools to automate infrastructure provisioning and management.
Cloud Migration: Discuss your experience with cloud migration projects, and how you've optimized for cost, performance, and scalability.

Company & Culture Questions:

Team Dynamics: Describe your experience working in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment, and how you've contributed to a positive team culture.
Problem-solving: Provide an example of a complex technical challenge you've faced and how you approached solving it, considering trade-offs and stakeholder perspectives.
Member-centric: Explain how you've ensured that your technical decisions and infrastructure solutions align with the needs and goals of Credit Karma's members.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Technical Deep Dive: Prepare a detailed technical deep dive into a relevant project or case study, focusing on your role, the challenges you faced, and the solutions you implemented.
Architecture Walkthrough: Present a walkthrough of the architecture and design decisions you made for a complex infrastructure project, highlighting your understanding of performance, security, and scalability trade-offs.
Code Review: Prepare a code review of a relevant project, demonstrating your proficiency in scripting languages like Python or Go and your commitment to code quality and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. Candidates should focus on demonstrating their expertise in Linux systems, networking, and containers, as well as their ability to design, deploy, and maintain reliable infrastructure services and tools.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Site Reliability Engineer position at Credit Karma:

Submit your application through the application link provided in the job listing.
Prepare your portfolio by highlighting your experience with Linux systems, networking, and containers through relevant projects or case studies. Demonstrate your understanding of Kafka and data infrastructure, and showcase your ability to design, deploy, and maintain reliable infrastructure services and tools.
Optimize your resume for the Senior Site Reliability Engineer role, emphasizing your technical skills, experience, and relevant projects.
Prepare for the technical phone screen by brushing up on your Linux systems, networking, and containers knowledge, focusing on relevant command-line tools and best practices.
Research Credit Karma and the Senior Site Reliability Engineer role to ensure that you understand the company's mission, values, and culture, as well as the specific requirements and responsibilities of the role.

⚠️ Important Notice: 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.

Senior Site Reliability Engineer