📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Software Engineer, Developer Platforms - SRE
Company: The New York Times
Location: New York, NY
Job Type: Hybrid (2 days on-site per week)
Category: Senior Software Engineering, Site Reliability Engineering
Date Posted: June 26, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

Key Responsibilities: Guide product engineering teams on cloud infrastructure and platform tooling adoption, engage with engineers to improve tech strategy, and support the mission of seeking the truth and helping people understand the world.
Key Skills: AWS, GCP, Kubernetes, Terraform, cloud infrastructure, container orchestration, networking, migrations, service mesh, observability tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on supporting and enhancing the developer experience across the organization, with a strong emphasis on cloud infrastructure and platform tooling. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of cloud services and a proven track record in operating Kubernetes clusters.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

1. Platform Adoption & Guidance: Work closely with product engineering teams to promote the adoption and usage of cloud infrastructure and Developer Platforms tooling.
2. Tech Strategy & Platform Improvement: Collaborate with engineers across the department to make incremental improvements to the tech strategy and the implementation of the platform.
3. Platform Support & Troubleshooting: Provide technical support and troubleshooting for engineers using the platform, ensuring reliable, scalable, and secure applications.
4. On-Call Responsibilities: Participate in an on-call rotation to provide 24/7 support for the platform, ensuring minimal downtime and quick issue resolution.
5. Documentation & Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to the creation and maintenance of documentation, and share knowledge with the broader engineering community to foster a culture of learning and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities of this role revolve around supporting and enhancing the developer experience, with a focus on cloud infrastructure and platform tooling. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cloud services and a proven track record in operating Kubernetes clusters.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 4+ years of experience with services provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). 2+ years of experience operating Kubernetes clusters, and 1+ years of experience doing migrations to different cloud providers. 1+ years of experience provisioning infrastructure using Terraform or similar tools.

Required Skills:

Proficiency in AWS and/or GCP services
Strong Kubernetes experience (management, container orchestration, networking)
Experience with cloud migrations and infrastructure provisioning using Terraform
Familiarity with service mesh technologies (e.g., Istio) and observability tools (e.g., DataDog, Prometheus)
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Strong problem-solving abilities and a customer-focused mindset

Preferred Skills:

Kubernetes certifications (CKA, CKAD)
Experience with service mesh technologies and observability tools
Familiarity with the NYT's mission and values, and a strong commitment to journalistic independence

📝 Enhancement Note: The required and preferred skills for this role emphasize a strong background in cloud services, Kubernetes, and infrastructure provisioning. The ideal candidate will also have a deep understanding of the NYT's mission and values, and a commitment to journalistic independence.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate a strong understanding of cloud infrastructure and platform tooling through relevant projects and case studies.
Showcase your experience with Kubernetes, including cluster management, container orchestration, and networking.
Highlight your ability to migrate applications to different cloud providers and provision infrastructure using tools like Terraform.
Include examples of your problem-solving skills and how you've troubleshot and resolved technical issues in a production environment.

Technical Documentation:

Provide clear and concise documentation for your projects, including code quality, commenting, and version control practices.
Include detailed information about your approach to testing, performance metrics, and optimization techniques.
Demonstrate your ability to collaborate with other engineers and contribute to the creation and maintenance of shared documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements for this role focus on cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, and infrastructure provisioning. The ideal candidate will provide clear and concise documentation, highlighting their problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate with other engineers.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The annual base pay range for this role is between $140,000 and $155,000 USD.

Benefits:

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
Retirement savings plan with company match
Generous time off and paid family leave policies
Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
Employee discounts on NYT products and services
Access to wellness programs and resources

Working Hours: This role follows a standard 40-hour workweek, with the expectation of being on-site two days a week. The working hours may vary depending on the team's needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range and benefits for this role are competitive and in line with industry standards for senior software engineering positions in the New York City area. The working hours and hybrid work arrangement provide flexibility while ensuring the team's needs are met.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

Industry: Media and Publishing
Company Size: Large (over 10,000 employees)
Founded: 1851
Team Structure: The Developer Platforms organization consists of multiple teams, including the Engagements team, which focuses on promoting platform adoption and enhancing developer productivity. The team consists of 5 engineers of different levels, with the ideal candidate reporting to the Engineering Manager.

Development Methodology:

The NYT follows Agile development methodologies, with a focus on continuous integration, delivery, and improvement.
The team uses version control systems like Git, and collaborates using tools such as Jira and Confluence.
The NYT values a culture of learning, collaboration, and innovation, with a strong commitment to journalistic independence and excellence.

Company Website: The New York Times

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture at the NYT emphasizes journalistic independence, collaboration, and innovation. The team structure and development methodologies reflect a commitment to continuous improvement and a customer-focused mindset.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior Software Engineer, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) - Responsible for guiding product engineering teams on cloud infrastructure and platform tooling adoption, improving tech strategy, and providing technical support and troubleshooting.

Reporting Structure: The ideal candidate will report to the Engineering Manager of the Engagements team, collaborating with engineers across the department to make incremental improvements to the tech strategy and platform implementation.

Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on the reliability, scalability, and security of the NYT's applications and platforms. The ideal candidate will work closely with product engineering teams to ensure the creation of reliable, scalable, and secure applications, and contribute to the overall success of the organization's mission.

Growth Opportunities:

1. Technical Leadership: As a senior member of the team, the ideal candidate will have the opportunity to mentor junior engineers and contribute to the development of the team's technical strategy.
2. Architecture & Design: With experience in cloud infrastructure and platform tooling, the ideal candidate may have the opportunity to contribute to the design and architecture of the NYT's platforms and applications.
3. Career Progression: The NYT offers opportunities for career progression, with potential paths including technical leadership, architecture, and management roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career and growth opportunities for this role focus on technical leadership, architecture, and career progression. The ideal candidate will have the opportunity to mentor junior engineers, contribute to the development of the team's technical strategy, and advance their career within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The NYT's headquarters in New York City is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity. The office features open-plan workspaces, meeting rooms, and breakout areas, as well as access to wellness facilities and amenities.

Office Location(s): The NYT's headquarters is located at 620 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10018. The company also has offices in other major cities worldwide.

Workspace Context:

1. Collaborative Work Environment: The NYT encourages a collaborative and inclusive work culture, with a focus on knowledge sharing and learning from one another.
2. Access to Tools & Resources: Engineers at the NYT have access to the latest tools, technologies, and resources to do their best work.
3. Work-Life Balance: The NYT values work-life balance and offers flexible working arrangements, including remote work options, to support the well-being of its employees.

Work Schedule: This role follows a hybrid work schedule, with the expectation of being on-site two days per week. The working hours may vary depending on the team's needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment at the NYT is designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and work-life balance. The ideal candidate will thrive in a modern, collaborative workspace and appreciate the company's commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

1. Phone Screen: A brief phone or video call to discuss your background, experience, and interest in the role.
2. Technical Deep Dive: A comprehensive technical interview focused on your experience with cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, and infrastructure provisioning. You may be asked to complete a hands-on exercise or case study.
3. On-Site Interview: A visit to the NYT's headquarters in New York City to meet with the team, discuss the role and the company's mission, and participate in a final round of technical and behavioral interviews.
4. Final Decision: The NYT will make a final decision and extend an offer to the selected candidate.

Portfolio Review Tips:

1. Cloud Infrastructure & Platform Tooling: Highlight your experience with cloud infrastructure and platform tooling, including any relevant projects or case studies.
2. Kubernetes & Infrastructure Provisioning: Demonstrate your expertise in Kubernetes and infrastructure provisioning using tools like Terraform.
3. Problem-Solving & Troubleshooting: Showcase your ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues in a production environment.
4. Collaboration & Communication: Emphasize your strong communication and collaboration skills, and your ability to work effectively with other engineers and stakeholders.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

1. Cloud Infrastructure & Platform Tooling: Brush up on your knowledge of AWS and/or GCP services, as well as any relevant platform tooling used by the NYT.
2. Kubernetes & Infrastructure Provisioning: Review your experience with Kubernetes, container orchestration, and infrastructure provisioning using tools like Terraform.
3. Problem-Solving & Troubleshooting: Practice common troubleshooting techniques and develop your ability to think critically and logically when faced with technical challenges.

ATS Keywords: [A comprehensive list of web development and server administration-relevant keywords for resume optimization, organized by category: programming languages, web frameworks, server technologies, databases, tools, methodologies, soft skills, industry terms]

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cloud services, Kubernetes, and infrastructure provisioning, as well as excellent communication and collaboration skills.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: [Not applicable for this role]

Backend & Server Technologies:

1. Cloud Infrastructure: AWS and/or GCP services, including compute, storage, networking, and security services.
2. Kubernetes: Experience with Kubernetes clusters, container orchestration, and networking.
3. Infrastructure Provisioning: Terraform or similar tools for provisioning infrastructure in the cloud.

Development & DevOps Tools:

1. Version Control: Git and GitHub or GitLab for version control and collaboration.
2. CI/CD Pipelines: Jenkins, CircleCI, or similar tools for continuous integration and delivery.
3. Monitoring & Logging: DataDog, Prometheus, or similar tools for monitoring and logging infrastructure and applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role focuses on cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, and infrastructure provisioning. The ideal candidate will have experience with AWS and/or GCP services, Kubernetes, and tools like Terraform for provisioning infrastructure in the cloud.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

1. Journalistic Independence: A strong commitment to the NYT's mission of seeking the truth and helping people understand the world.
2. Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing: A culture of learning, collaboration, and innovation, with a focus on sharing knowledge and working together to achieve common goals.
3. Technical Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and scalable applications and platforms.
4. User-Centric Design: A focus on understanding user needs and creating intuitive, accessible, and user-friendly experiences.

Collaboration Style:

1. Cross-Functional Integration: The NYT values cross-functional collaboration between developers, designers, and stakeholders, with a focus on creating seamless and cohesive user experiences.
2. Code Review & Peer Programming: The NYT encourages code review and peer programming practices to ensure code quality, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
3. Knowledge Sharing & Mentorship: The NYT fosters a culture of knowledge sharing and mentorship, with a focus on helping engineers grow and develop their skills throughout their careers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values at the NYT emphasize journalistic independence, collaboration, and technical excellence. The ideal candidate will share these values and be committed to delivering high-quality, user-centric experiences.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

1. Cloud Infrastructure & Platform Tooling: Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in cloud infrastructure and platform tooling, and be prepared to adapt to changes in the technology landscape.
2. Kubernetes & Infrastructure Provisioning: Continuously improve your knowledge and skills in Kubernetes, container orchestration, and infrastructure provisioning using tools like Terraform.
3. User-Centric Design & Accessibility: Ensure that the applications and platforms you support are intuitive, accessible, and user-friendly, with a focus on understanding user needs and creating seamless experiences.
4. Performance Optimization & Scalability: Continuously monitor and optimize the performance, scalability, and reliability of the NYT's applications and platforms, ensuring they can handle increased traffic and demand.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

1. Technical Skill Development: The NYT offers opportunities for technical skill development, including training, workshops, and conferences, as well as access to online learning platforms and resources.
2. Conference Attendance & Certification: The NYT encourages engineers to attend industry conferences and pursue relevant certifications to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in their fields.
3. Technical Mentorship & Leadership: The NYT provides opportunities for technical mentorship and leadership, with a focus on helping engineers grow and develop their skills throughout their careers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technical challenges and growth opportunities for this role focus on cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, and infrastructure provisioning. The ideal candidate will be committed to continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest developments in their field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

1. Cloud Infrastructure & Platform Tooling: Be prepared to discuss your experience with cloud infrastructure and platform tooling, including any relevant projects or case studies.
2. Kubernetes & Infrastructure Provisioning: Demonstrate your expertise in Kubernetes, container orchestration, and infrastructure provisioning using tools like Terraform.
3. Problem-Solving & Troubleshooting: Showcase your ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues in a production environment, and be prepared to discuss your problem-solving approach and thought process.

Company & Culture Questions:

1. Journalistic Independence: Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the NYT's mission and values, and your commitment to journalistic independence and excellence.
2. Development Methodologies: Demonstrate your familiarity with Agile development methodologies and your experience working in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment.
3. User-Centric Design: Showcase your understanding of user needs and your ability to create intuitive, accessible, and user-friendly experiences, with a focus on understanding user context and creating seamless journeys.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

1. Cloud Infrastructure & Platform Tooling: Highlight your experience with cloud infrastructure and platform tooling, including any relevant projects or case studies.
2. Kubernetes & Infrastructure Provisioning: Demonstrate your expertise in Kubernetes, container orchestration, and infrastructure provisioning using tools like Terraform.
3. Problem-Solving & Troubleshooting: Showcase your ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues in a production environment, and be prepared to discuss your problem-solving approach and thought process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation for this role focuses on cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, and infrastructure provisioning. The ideal candidate will be prepared to discuss their experience with these technologies, as well as their problem-solving approach and commitment to journalistic independence and excellence.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Software Engineer, Developer Platforms - SRE position at the New York Times:

Customize Your Portfolio: Highlight your experience with cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, and infrastructure provisioning using tools like Terraform. Include relevant projects or case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and commitment to user-centric design and accessibility.
Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to emphasize your experience with cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, and infrastructure provisioning. Include relevant keywords and phrases to help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Prepare for Technical Interviews: Brush up on your knowledge of cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, and infrastructure provisioning. Practice common troubleshooting techniques and develop your ability to think critically and logically when faced with technical challenges.
Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with the NYT's mission, values, and culture. Understand the role's requirements and how your skills and experience align with the organization's needs.

⚠️ 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 Software Engineer, Developer Platforms - SRE