Server Engineer -System Development Department, System Division, Rakuten Bank, Ltd.
📍 Job Overview
- Job Title: Server Engineer - System Development Department, System Division, Rakuten Bank, Ltd.
- Company: Rakuten
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Job Type: On-site
- Category: Server Administration & Infrastructure
- Date Posted: 2025-06-18
- Experience Level: 5-10 years
- Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Role Summary
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📝 Enhancement Note: This role involves a broad range of server administration and infrastructure tasks, requiring a senior-level professional with extensive experience in managing complex systems.
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Lead and contribute to the design, installation, and operation of OS, hardware, and middleware for various services.
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Manage infrastructure projects, including data center facilities and external services.
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Improve server and middleware parameters for existing services.
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Evaluate and propose new technologies to enhance system performance and security.
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Collaborate with developers and other teams to ensure smooth operations and timely project delivery.
💻 Primary Responsibilities
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📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong technical background and proven ability to manage projects, lead teams, and make critical decisions under pressure.
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💻 System Design & Architecture:
- Design and implement scalable, secure, and highly available system architectures.
- Collaborate with development teams to define system requirements and ensure they align with business objectives.
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💻 Server Management & Maintenance:
- Manage and maintain a large fleet of servers (over 100) running RHEL and Solaris.
- Monitor server performance, identify bottlenecks, and optimize resource utilization.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex server-related issues.
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💻 Project Management & Team Leadership:
- Plan, coordinate, and manage infrastructure projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
- Lead and mentor junior team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
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💻 Collaboration & Communication:
- Work closely with development teams to ensure infrastructure projects align with software development timelines.
- Communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., RHCE, SCSA) are a plus.
Experience: At least 5 years of practical experience with RHEL/Solaris servers and 3 years of project management experience. Proven experience in system design for systems with over 100 servers.
Required Skills:
- Proficient in RHEL/Solaris server administration.
- Strong project management skills, with experience using project management tools and methodologies.
- Proven experience in system design and architecture.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to troubleshooting.
- Knowledge of software/middleware technology.
- Experience with container application platforms (e.g., OpenShift) is a plus.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working for financial service systems.
- Ability to review entire systems, not just individual components.
- Team leading experience.
- Curiosity towards new services and technologies, with a strong self-studying ability.
📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements
📝 Enhancement Note: While a portfolio is not explicitly required, demonstrating relevant projects and accomplishments can strengthen your application.
Portfolio Essentials:
- Case studies or examples showcasing your experience in system design, server management, and project management.
- Documentation demonstrating your problem-solving skills, such as troubleshooting guides or performance optimization strategies.
- Evidence of your ability to lead teams and mentor junior team members.
Technical Documentation:
- Detailed system architecture diagrams and documentation.
- Performance metrics and optimization techniques for complex server environments.
- Test methodologies and strategies for ensuring system reliability and availability.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: ¥8,000,000 - ¥12,000,000 per year (Based on market research for senior-level server administrators in Tokyo)
Benefits:
- Comprehensive health insurance.
- Retirement plan with company match.
- Generous vacation and holiday leave.
- Opportunities for professional development and training.
- Employee discounts on Rakuten products and services.
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Rakuten operates in the competitive e-commerce and fintech sectors, requiring a strong focus on innovation, performance, and security.
Company Size: Rakuten is a large, global organization with over 17,000 employees worldwide. This role is part of the Rakuten Bank, Ltd. subsidiary, which focuses on providing stable financial services.
Founded: 1997, with a history of growth and expansion into various industries.
Team Structure:
- The System Division comprises multiple teams, each responsible for different aspects of system development, operation, and maintenance.
- The team structure is hierarchical, with team leaders and assistant team leaders overseeing project management and team coordination.
- Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with regular interaction between system development teams, designers, and business stakeholders.
Development Methodology:
- Agile methodologies, with a focus on iterative development, continuous improvement, and regular feedback.
- Code reviews, testing, and quality assurance processes to ensure system reliability and performance.
- Deployment strategies, including CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment, to streamline release management.
Company Website: Rakuten Group, Inc.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Web Technology Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring a high degree of technical expertise, leadership, and strategic decision-making.
Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the team leader or assistant team leader, with a matrixed reporting structure for specific projects.
Technical Impact: The role has a significant impact on the stability, performance, and security of Rakuten's financial services, directly influencing user experience and business outcomes.
Growth Opportunities:
- Technical Growth: Opportunities to specialize in specific technologies, such as containerization or cloud infrastructure, and become a subject matter expert.
- Leadership Development: Potential to advance to team leader or assistant team leader roles, overseeing larger teams and more complex projects.
- Career Progression: Opportunities to transition into management or architecture roles, focusing on strategic decision-making and long-term system design.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Rakuten's offices are modern, collaborative workspaces designed to foster innovation and teamwork.
Office Location(s): Tokyo (Shinagawa), with opportunities for domestic and international travel for project-related activities.
Workspace Context:
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📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is dynamic, with a strong focus on collaboration, continuous learning, and improvement.
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Multiple monitors and testing devices are available to ensure optimal productivity and performance.
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The workspace encourages interaction between team members, with regular team meetings and social events.
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Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with regular interaction between system development teams, designers, and business stakeholders.
Work Schedule: Standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows. Overtime may be required occasionally to meet project deadlines.
📄 Application & Technical Interview Process
Interview Process:
- Online Assessment: A technical assessment focusing on server administration, system design, and problem-solving skills.
- Technical Interview: A deep dive into your technical expertise, with a focus on system design, performance optimization, and troubleshooting.
- Behavioral Interview: An assessment of your leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, with a focus on your ability to thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
- Final Review: A review of your application materials, technical assessment, and interview performance by senior leadership.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight your experience in system design, server management, and project management.
- Include case studies or examples demonstrating your problem-solving skills and ability to optimize system performance.
- Showcase your ability to lead teams and mentor junior team members.
Technical Challenge Preparation:
- Brush up on your server administration skills, with a focus on RHEL and Solaris.
- Review your knowledge of system design principles, performance optimization techniques, and troubleshooting strategies.
- Familiarize yourself with Rakuten's products and services, and be prepared to discuss how your technical expertise can contribute to their success.
ATS Keywords:
- Programming Languages: Bash, Perl, Python, Java
- Server Technologies: RHEL, Solaris, Linux, Unix
- Databases: Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL
- Tools: Nagios, Zabbix, Prometheus, Jenkins, Ansible
- Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, ITIL
- Soft Skills: Leadership, Teamwork, Communication, Problem-solving
- Industry Terms: Infrastructure, Server Administration, System Design, Project Management, Fintech
🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure
Server Technologies:
- RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux)
- Solaris
- Linux
- Unix
Databases:
- Oracle
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
Infrastructure Tools:
- Nagios
- Zabbix
- Prometheus
- Jenkins
- Ansible
📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, the role likely involves working with cloud infrastructure providers, such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure, and containerization platforms, such as Docker or Kubernetes.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Web Development Values:
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📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is focused on server administration and infrastructure, Rakuten's web development values emphasize user experience, performance optimization, accessibility, and code quality.
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User-centric design and development, with a focus on creating intuitive, accessible, and engaging user experiences.
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Performance optimization and accessibility, with a commitment to delivering fast, reliable, and secure web applications.
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Code quality and collaborative development, with a focus on writing clean, efficient, and maintainable code.
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Innovation and continuous learning, with a commitment to staying up-to-date with emerging technologies and best practices.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-functional integration between developers, designers, and stakeholders, with a focus on regular communication, feedback, and iteration.
- Code review culture and peer programming, with a focus on knowledge sharing, mentoring, and continuous learning.
- Knowledge sharing and technical mentoring, with a focus on fostering a culture of collaboration and growth.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Technical Challenges:
- Designing and implementing highly available, scalable, and secure system architectures.
- Optimizing server performance and resource utilization in complex, multi-server environments.
- Troubleshooting and resolving complex server-related issues, often under tight deadlines.
- Keeping up-to-date with emerging technologies, such as containerization, cloud infrastructure, and microservices architectures.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Technical Skill Development: Opportunities to specialize in specific technologies, such as containerization or cloud infrastructure, and become a subject matter expert.
- Leadership Development: Potential to advance to team leader or assistant team leader roles, overseeing larger teams and more complex projects.
- Career Progression: Opportunities to transition into management or architecture roles, focusing on strategic decision-making and long-term system design.
- Community Involvement: Rakuten actively participates in industry events and conferences, providing opportunities for employees to network, learn, and share their expertise.
💡 Interview Preparation
Technical Questions:
- System Design: Describe your approach to designing highly available, scalable, and secure system architectures. Walk us through a complex system design challenge you've faced in the past and how you overcame it.
- Performance Optimization: Explain your process for optimizing server performance and resource utilization in complex, multi-server environments. Share an example of a significant performance improvement you've achieved in a previous role.
- Troubleshooting: Walk us through a complex server-related issue you've encountered and how you diagnosed and resolved it. Discuss the tools and techniques you used to identify the root cause and implement a lasting solution.
Company & Culture Questions:
- Company Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of Rakuten's products, services, and business model. Explain how your technical expertise can contribute to Rakuten's success in the competitive e-commerce and fintech sectors.
- Team Fit: Describe your approach to collaboration, communication, and teamwork. Explain how you've successfully worked with diverse teams in the past and how you've contributed to a positive, productive work environment.
- Adaptability: Discuss your experience working in dynamic, fast-paced environments. Explain how you've successfully adapted to change and embraced new challenges in previous roles.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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📝 Enhancement Note: While a portfolio is not explicitly required, bringing relevant examples and case studies can strengthen your application and demonstrate your technical expertise.
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Live Demonstration: Prepare a live demonstration of a complex system design, server management, or project management challenge you've faced in the past. Walk the interview panel through your approach, the tools and techniques you used, and the outcome of your efforts.
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Case Study Presentation: Prepare a detailed case study or whitepaper outlining your approach to a complex technical challenge. Include data-driven insights, performance metrics, and user experience considerations to demonstrate the impact of your work.
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Code Review: Prepare a code review or walkthrough of a complex server configuration or system design. Explain your approach to writing clean, efficient, and maintainable code, and how you ensure the performance, security, and scalability of your systems.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this senior-level server administrator position at Rakuten Bank, Ltd.:
- Submit your application through the Rakuten careers portal.
- Prepare a comprehensive portfolio showcasing your experience in system design, server management, and project management. Include case studies, examples, and data-driven insights to demonstrate your technical expertise.
- Thoroughly research Rakuten's products, services, and business model. Be prepared to discuss how your technical expertise can contribute to Rakuten's success in the competitive e-commerce and fintech sectors.
- Practice common technical interview questions and brush up on your server administration, system design, and problem-solving skills. Familiarize yourself with Rakuten's technology stack and be prepared to discuss your experience with relevant tools and platforms.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have practical experience with RHEL/Solaris servers for at least 5 years and project management experience for at least 3 years. Knowledge of software/middleware technology and experience in system design with over 100 servers is also required.