Senior Software Systems Engineer at ServiceNow

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Software Systems Engineer
Company: ServiceNow
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Job Type: Full-time
Category: DevOps Engineer, System Administrator, Web Infrastructure
Date Posted: June 20, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Cloud Advancement Team (CAT) focus on enabling customers' transition to hyperscaler cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, and GCP.
Hybrid team with deep engineering focus, responsible for designing and validating hardware configurations, developing automation, and debugging complex infrastructure issues.
Collaborate with cloud providers, Technical Account Managers, and engineering teams to support migrations, new deployments, and infrastructure operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in cloud infrastructure, automation, and problem-solving to thrive in a dynamic, customer-driven environment.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Collaborate with cloud providers (Azure, AWS, GCP) to support migrations and new deployments.
Design, test, and validate new server SKUs in partnership with Technical Account Managers and engineering teams.
Build tools and automation to streamline server configuration, validation, and deployment processes before hand-off to Quality Engineering (QE) testing.
Design and develop software integrations with cloud services and internal APIs to support automation of infrastructure operations.
Automate server deployment and scaling processes using tools such as Puppet, Ansible, and Git.
Troubleshoot and resolve tier-3 customer performance issues with a strong emphasis on debugging and root cause analysis.
Act as a technical point of contact for hyperscaler integration issues, particularly for database nodes and performance validation.
Balance short-term customer-driven priorities with long-term capacity planning and automation improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role involves a mix of customer support, infrastructure management, and software development, requiring a versatile skill set and adaptability to shifting priorities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 3 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD without experience; or equivalent work experience.

Required Skills:

Experience leveraging or critically thinking about AI integration into work processes.
Strong hands-on software engineering experience with proficiency in Python, Go, or similar languages.
Working knowledge of hyperscaler environments (GCP, AWS, or Azure).
Proficient in Linux system administration and debugging.
Experience with infrastructure automation tools (Puppet, Ansible).
Solid scripting and automation skills with a developer mindset.
Familiarity with Git and code-based deployment workflows.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
Excellent problem-solving skills, curiosity, and ability to work without a predefined solution path.

Preferred Skills:

Knowledge of ServiceNow platform.
Experience writing infrastructure tests or using test frameworks in a dev-oriented capacity.
Background working on developer platforms, DevOps tooling, or internal automation systems.
Exposure to infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, Ansible) from a software-centric perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, having experience with containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and infrastructure as code (IaC) tools would be beneficial for this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate experience with cloud infrastructure, automation, and scripting.
Showcase projects involving hyperscaler environments, server configuration, and deployment.
Highlight problem-solving skills through case studies or project examples.

Technical Documentation:

Document code quality, commenting, and version control practices.
Include testing methodologies, performance metrics, and optimization techniques used in previous projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role involves both software development and infrastructure management, applicants should emphasize their ability to document and communicate complex technical concepts effectively.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $126,700 - $215,400 per year (San Diego, CA)

Benefits:

Health plans, including flexible spending accounts.
401(k) Plan with company match.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
Matching donations.
Flexible time away plan and family leave programs.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling to accommodate project deadlines and maintenance windows.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the salary range is provided, applicants should research regional salary standards and cost of living to ensure this compensation is competitive and aligns with their expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: ServiceNow operates in the enterprise software industry, focusing on digital workflows and operations management.

Company Size: ServiceNow is a large, global company with over 8,100 customers, including 85% of the Fortune 500. This size offers opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects.

Founded: 2004, in San Diego, California.

Team Structure:

The Cloud Advancement Team (CAT) is a hybrid group with deep engineering focus, working closely with cloud providers, Technical Account Managers, and engineering teams.
CAT serves as the frontline for system performance and hardware validation within the hyperscalers, driving innovation in server SKUs, and collaborating with internal teams to ensure services are scalable and supportable.

Development Methodology:

CAT follows an agile development methodology, balancing short-term customer-driven priorities with long-term capacity planning and automation improvements.
The team works closely with cloud providers, Technical Account Managers, and engineering teams to ensure efficient collaboration and communication.

Company Website: https://www.servicenow.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: ServiceNow's culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and customer focus, making it an ideal environment for problem solvers and cloud-savvy engineers.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is a senior-level position within the DevOps and infrastructure management domain, requiring a strong technical background and proven experience in cloud infrastructure, automation, and problem-solving.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Cloud Advancement Team (CAT) leadership, with a matrixed reporting structure to relevant engineering teams and cloud providers.

Technical Impact: The Senior Software Systems Engineer has a significant impact on the performance, scalability, and reliability of ServiceNow's cloud infrastructure. Their work directly influences the customer experience and the company's ability to support rapid growth and innovation.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Growth: Expand expertise in cloud infrastructure, automation, and emerging technologies.
Leadership Development: Gain experience managing projects, mentoring junior team members, and driving strategic initiatives.
Career Progression: Transition into roles such as Principal Engineer, Engineering Manager, or Technical Architect, focusing on architecture, strategy, or team leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: ServiceNow's large customer base and diverse project portfolio offer ample opportunities for technical growth, leadership development, and career progression within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: ServiceNow's San Diego office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to facilitate innovation and teamwork.

Office Location(s): 4810 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121, United States.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Environment: CAT works closely with cloud providers, Technical Account Managers, and engineering teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Development Tools: CAT uses various tools such as Puppet, Ansible, Git, and cloud provider-specific tools to streamline server configuration, validation, and deployment processes.
Team Interaction: CAT members work closely with other teams within ServiceNow, such as Quality Engineering (QE) and cloud provider teams, to ensure efficient collaboration and communication.

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling to accommodate project deadlines and maintenance windows. ServiceNow offers flexible work personas, allowing employees to work remotely, on-site, or in a hybrid arrangement, depending on the nature of their work and assigned work location.

📝 Enhancement Note: ServiceNow's flexible work environment and collaborative culture enable employees to balance their personal and professional lives while driving innovation and customer success.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone Screen: A brief call to discuss the role, expectations, and initial fit.
Technical Deep Dive: A comprehensive technical interview focused on cloud infrastructure, automation, and problem-solving skills. Applicants should expect questions about hyperscaler environments, server configuration, and debugging complex infrastructure issues.
Behavioral & Cultural Fit: An interview to assess communication skills, problem-solving approach, and cultural fit within the CAT team and ServiceNow.
Final Review: A meeting with senior leadership to discuss the candidate's qualifications, career aspirations, and fit for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight projects involving cloud infrastructure, automation, and scripting.
Emphasize problem-solving skills through case studies or project examples.
Showcase experience with hyperscaler environments, server configuration, and deployment processes.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on cloud infrastructure, automation, and scripting skills.
Familiarize yourself with hyperscaler environments (GCP, AWS, Azure) and relevant tools (Puppet, Ansible, Git).
Practice debugging complex infrastructure issues and optimizing performance in cloud environments.

ATS Keywords: (Organized by category)

Programming Languages: Python, Go, Bash, Shell, PowerShell
Cloud Providers: GCP, AWS, Azure, hyperscaler
Infrastructure Automation: Puppet, Ansible, Terraform, CloudFormation
Version Control: Git, GitHub, Bitbucket
Server Configuration: Linux, system administration, server SKUs, deployment automation
Problem-Solving: Debugging, root cause analysis, performance optimization
Soft Skills: Communication, collaboration, teamwork, adaptability, customer focus
Industry Terms: DevOps, infrastructure management, cloud migration, hyperscaler, AI integration

📝 Enhancement Note: Applicants should tailor their resumes and prepare for interviews by emphasizing their experience with cloud infrastructure, automation, and problem-solving, as well as their ability to work in a dynamic, customer-driven environment.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Cloud Providers:

GCP, AWS, Azure (hyperscaler environments)

Infrastructure Automation:

Puppet, Ansible, Terraform, CloudFormation

Version Control:

Git, GitHub, Bitbucket

Server Configuration:

Linux, system administration, server SKUs, deployment automation

Monitoring & Logging:

Cloud provider-specific tools, Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, having experience with containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and infrastructure as code (IaC) tools would be beneficial for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Cloud Advancement Team (CAT) Values:

Customer Focus: CAT prioritizes customer needs and works closely with cloud providers, Technical Account Managers, and engineering teams to ensure optimal performance and supportability.
Innovation: CAT drives innovation in server SKUs, automation, and infrastructure management to stay ahead of industry trends and customer demands.
Collaboration: CAT fosters a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing, working closely with internal teams and cloud providers to ensure efficient communication and communication.
Problem-Solving: CAT emphasizes strong problem-solving skills, curiosity, and adaptability to work without a predefined solution path.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: CAT works closely with cloud providers, Technical Account Managers, and engineering teams to ensure efficient collaboration and communication.
Code Review Culture: CAT follows best practices in software development, including code reviews and pair programming, to ensure code quality and knowledge sharing.
Knowledge Sharing: CAT encourages continuous learning and mentoring, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and technical growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: ServiceNow's culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and customer focus, making it an ideal environment for problem solvers and cloud-savvy engineers.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Hyperscaler Integration: CAT faces challenges integrating with hyperscaler environments, requiring strong problem-solving skills, curiosity, and adaptability to work without a predefined solution path.
Server SKU Optimization: CAT must design, test, and validate new server SKUs to ensure optimal performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
Performance Optimization: CAT works to optimize server performance, scalability, and reliability, balancing short-term customer-driven priorities with long-term capacity planning and automation improvements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Growth: Expand expertise in cloud infrastructure, automation, and emerging technologies.
Leadership Development: Gain experience managing projects, mentoring junior team members, and driving strategic initiatives.
Career Progression: Transition into roles such as Principal Engineer, Engineering Manager, or Technical Architect, focusing on architecture, strategy, or team leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: ServiceNow's large customer base and diverse project portfolio offer ample opportunities for technical growth, leadership development, and career progression within the organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Cloud Infrastructure: Describe your experience with hyperscaler environments (GCP, AWS, Azure) and relevant tools (Puppet, Ansible, Git).
Automation & Scripting: Explain your approach to automating server deployment and scaling processes, as well as scripting and debugging complex infrastructure issues.
Problem-Solving: Walk through a complex infrastructure issue you've faced and how you approached debugging and root cause analysis.

Company & Culture Questions:

ServiceNow Culture: Explain what you understand about ServiceNow's culture and how you would contribute to the company's mission and values.
CAT Team Dynamics: Describe how you would collaborate with cloud providers, Technical Account Managers, and engineering teams to ensure efficient communication and communication.
Customer Focus: Explain your approach to prioritizing customer needs and balancing short-term priorities with long-term capacity planning and automation improvements.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Project Selection: Choose projects that demonstrate your experience with cloud infrastructure, automation, and scripting, as well as your problem-solving skills and customer focus.
Storytelling: Craft a compelling narrative around your projects, highlighting the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the impact you made on the customer or organization.
Technical Deep Dive: Be prepared to dive deep into the technical aspects of your projects, explaining your approach to server configuration, deployment automation, and performance optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Applicants should tailor their interviews by emphasizing their experience with cloud infrastructure, automation, and problem-solving, as well as their ability to work in a dynamic, customer-driven environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Software Systems Engineer position:

Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience with cloud infrastructure, automation, and problem-solving, as well as your ability to work in a dynamic, customer-driven environment.
Prepare for Technical Interviews: Brush up on your cloud infrastructure, automation, and scripting skills, and practice debugging complex infrastructure issues and optimizing performance in cloud environments.
Research ServiceNow: Familiarize yourself with ServiceNow's culture, mission, and values, as well as the specific needs and challenges faced by the Cloud Advancement Team (CAT).
Prepare Your Portfolio: Choose projects that demonstrate your experience with cloud infrastructure, automation, and scripting, as well as your problem-solving skills and customer focus. Craft a compelling narrative around your projects, highlighting the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the impact you made on the customer or organization.

⚠️ 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 Systems Engineer