Site Reliability Engineer - Microsoft Admin (Windows Server, IIS, MS SQL Server)

Visa
Full_timeBasingstoke, United Kingdom

📍 Job Overview

  • Job Title: Site Reliability Engineer - Microsoft Admin (Windows Server, IIS, MS SQL Server)
  • Company: Visa
  • Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire, United Kingdom
  • Job Type: Full-time
  • Category: DevOps Engineer, System Administrator, Web Infrastructure
  • Date Posted: 2025-07-02
  • Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (2-5 years)
  • Remote Status: Hybrid (expectation of days in office confirmed by Hiring Manager)

🚀 Role Summary

  • Primary Responsibility: Ensure highest levels of availability, performance, and operational excellence for Visa Spend Clarity for Enterprises production infrastructure.
  • Key Technology Focus: Microsoft stack (Windows Server, IIS, MS SQL Server), cloud technologies (preferably AWS), and enterprise distributed systems.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with all members of the Technology Group to make visible and improve reliability, availability, performance, monitoring, and operations of Visa Spend Clarity for Enterprises.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a balance of engineering improvements, systems operations, and contributions to strategic initiatives, making it an ideal fit for a DevOps engineer with strong Microsoft stack administration skills and cloud technology experience.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

  • Engineering Improvements: Identify and implement improvements to enhance the reliability, availability, and performance of Visa Spend Clarity for Enterprises.
  • Systems Operations: Manage and maintain the production infrastructure, ensuring it meets the highest standards of operational excellence.
  • Strategic Initiatives: Contribute to strategic projects aimed at modernizing the platform, investing in cloud infrastructure, and enabling scale.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams to align operations with business objectives and ensure the platform meets user needs.
  • Incident Management: Troubleshoot and resolve incidents, minimizing downtime and ensuring the platform's availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires strong problem-solving skills, a customer-oriented mindset, and the ability to work effectively in a geographically dispersed team.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, AWS Certified Solutions Architect) are a plus.

Experience: 3+ years of relevant work experience in a similar role, with a strong focus on Microsoft stack administration and cloud technologies.

Required Skills:

  • Proven experience administering Microsoft stack technologies (Windows Server, IIS, MS SQL Server)
  • Scripted automation of processes using PowerShell and other orchestration tools
  • Experience with cloud technologies and platforms (preferably AWS)
  • Strong knowledge of enterprise distributed systems and SaaS applications
  • Proven track record in troubleshooting and performance optimization, especially on production systems
  • Exposure to PCI requirements and control management
  • Strong communication skills for both internal and external stakeholder management

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with Web Application Firewall and Load Balancer support and configuration
  • Support and knowledge of Middleware applications (Session State, MQ, AD)
  • Experience with enterprise operational monitoring and management tools in a data center environment
  • Knowledge of certificate management and renewal process methodology
  • Software delivery methodology in regulated compliance-based environments
  • Building and running internal platforms with a product-led mindset while prioritizing security compliance
  • Customer-oriented approach for both internal and external clients

📝 Enhancement Note: While the preferred qualifications section lists many skills, candidates should focus on demonstrating their core competencies in Microsoft stack administration, cloud technologies, and enterprise distributed systems to stand out.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Demonstrate your ability to manage and maintain complex Microsoft stack environments by showcasing relevant projects.
  • Highlight your experience with cloud technologies (preferably AWS) and enterprise distributed systems through case studies or live demos.
  • Showcase your troubleshooting and performance optimization skills by presenting challenging incidents you've resolved and the improvements you've implemented.

Technical Documentation:

  • Provide detailed documentation of your code, including comments and version control.
  • Demonstrate your understanding of deployment processes, server configuration, and testing methodologies.
  • Include performance metrics and optimization techniques used in your projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role focuses on operational excellence, candidates should emphasize their ability to manage and maintain complex systems, rather than focusing on new development projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £45,000 - £65,000 per year (based on experience and market research for mid-senior level DevOps roles in the United Kingdom)

Benefits:

  • Competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Retirement savings plan with company match
  • Generous time-off policies, including vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays
  • Employee assistance program and wellness resources
  • Employee discounts and perks

Working Hours: Full-time position with a hybrid work arrangement, expecting a certain number of days in the office (to be confirmed by the Hiring Manager).

📝 Enhancement Note: While the salary range is an estimate based on market research, candidates should research Visa's compensation packages and benefits to ensure they align with their expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

  • Industry: Financial services and payments technology
  • Company Size: Large (over 25,000 employees)
  • Founded: 1958
  • Team Structure: The cross-functional Operations & Infrastructure team works closely with all members of the Technology Group to ensure the highest levels of availability, performance, and operational excellence for Visa Spend Clarity for Enterprises.

Development Methodology:

  • Agile/Scrum methodologies for software development
  • Collaborative approach to problem-solving and decision-making
  • Strong focus on continuous improvement and innovation

Company Website: Visa

📝 Enhancement Note: Visa's global presence and large team size offer ample opportunities for professional growth and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

Career & Growth Analysis:

  • Web Technology Career Level: Mid-Senior level DevOps Engineer or System Administrator, focusing on Microsoft stack administration and cloud technologies.
  • Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Senior Operations Manager within the Visa Spend Clarity for Enterprises product team.
  • Technical Impact: The Site Reliability Engineer plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability, availability, and performance of Visa Spend Clarity for Enterprises, directly impacting the user experience and business outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Technical Growth: Expand your skills in cloud technologies (preferably AWS) and enterprise distributed systems, with opportunities to work on strategic initiatives and modernize the platform.
  • Leadership Growth: Develop your leadership skills by collaborating with cross-functional teams and influencing strategic decisions.
  • Career Progression: As Visa is a large organization with diverse products and services, there may be opportunities to transition into other roles or teams as your career progresses.

📝 Enhancement Note: Visa's large team size and diverse product offerings provide ample opportunities for professional growth and career progression within the organization.

Work Environment:

  • Office Type: Hybrid work arrangement, with expectations to work on-site a certain number of days (to be confirmed by the Hiring Manager).
  • Office Location(s): Basingstoke, Hampshire, United Kingdom
  • Workspace Context: The Basingstoke office is designed to foster collaboration and innovation, with access to multiple monitors, testing devices, and enterprise operational monitoring and management tools.

Work Schedule: Full-time position with a hybrid work arrangement, expecting a certain number of days in the office (to be confirmed by the Hiring Manager).

📝 Enhancement Note: Visa's hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility while maintaining a collaborative work environment that encourages knowledge sharing and team interaction.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

  1. Technical Phone Screen: Expect a phone or video call to discuss your technical skills, experience, and understanding of the role's requirements.
  2. On-site Technical Deep Dive: A deeper dive into your technical skills, focusing on your experience with Microsoft stack administration, cloud technologies, and enterprise distributed systems.
  3. Behavioral and Cultural Fit Assessment: Evaluate your problem-solving skills, communication, and collaboration abilities, as well as your cultural fit within the team.
  4. Final Evaluation: A final interview with the hiring manager or a panel to assess your overall fit for the role and make a hiring decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Highlight your experience with Microsoft stack administration, cloud technologies, and enterprise distributed systems through relevant projects and case studies.
  • Demonstrate your ability to manage and maintain complex systems, focusing on troubleshooting, performance optimization, and incident management.
  • Showcase your customer-oriented approach and strong communication skills by presenting your projects in a clear and concise manner.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

  • Brush up on your Microsoft stack administration skills, focusing on Windows Server, IIS, and MS SQL Server.
  • Familiarize yourself with cloud technologies (preferably AWS) and enterprise distributed systems, focusing on their application in a transactional system environment.
  • Prepare for questions about your experience with troubleshooting, performance optimization, and incident management.

ATS Keywords: (Organized by category)

  • Programming Languages: PowerShell, SQL, C#, JavaScript
  • Web Frameworks & Libraries: N/A (focus on server-side technologies)
  • Server Technologies: Windows Server, IIS, MS SQL Server, AWS (preferred)
  • Databases: MS SQL Server, AWS RDS, DynamoDB
  • Tools: Microsoft System Center, PowerShell, AWS Management Console, enterprise operational monitoring tools
  • Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, DevOps, ITIL
  • Soft Skills: Troubleshooting, performance optimization, incident management, communication, collaboration, problem-solving
  • Industry Terms: PCI compliance, SaaS applications, enterprise distributed systems, transactional systems

📝 Enhancement Note: While the ATS keywords list is comprehensive, candidates should focus on demonstrating their core competencies in Microsoft stack administration, cloud technologies, and enterprise distributed systems during the application and interview process.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Server Technologies:

  • Windows Server (2016, 2019, 2022)
  • IIS (Internet Information Services)
  • MS SQL Server (2016, 2019, 2022)

Cloud Technologies (preferably AWS):

  • Amazon EC2
  • Amazon RDS
  • Amazon DynamoDB
  • Amazon CloudFront
  • Amazon Route 53
  • AWS Lambda
  • AWS CloudFormation

Enterprise Operational Monitoring and Management Tools:

  • Microsoft System Center
  • Prometheus
  • Grafana
  • Datadog
  • New Relic

📝 Enhancement Note: While the technology stack list is comprehensive, candidates should focus on their experience with Microsoft stack administration, cloud technologies, and enterprise distributed systems during the application and interview process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Visa's Core Values:

  • Customer- Centric: We put the customer at the center of everything we do.
  • Inclusive: We embrace diversity in our people and our thinking.
  • Innovative: We drive progress through creativity, invention, and reinvention.
  • Trustworthy: We earn the confidence of our customers, clients, partners, and colleagues.
  • Perseverant: We are tenacious, resilient, and committed to our customers and each other.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Visa's cross-functional teams work closely together to ensure the highest levels of availability, performance, and operational excellence for Visa Spend Clarity for Enterprises.
  • Code Review Culture: Visa encourages knowledge sharing and continuous learning through code reviews and peer programming practices.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Visa fosters a culture of collaboration and mentorship, with opportunities to learn from and teach others within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Visa's culture emphasizes customer-centricity, innovation, and collaboration, providing an ideal environment for a DevOps engineer with strong Microsoft stack administration skills and cloud technology experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work arrangement, with expectations to work on-site a certain number of days (to be confirmed by the Hiring Manager).

Office Location(s): Basingstoke, Hampshire, United Kingdom

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Workspace: The Basingstoke office is designed to foster collaboration and innovation, with access to multiple monitors, testing devices, and enterprise operational monitoring and management tools.
  • Development Tools: Visa provides access to the latest development tools, version control systems, and collaboration platforms to ensure efficient and effective work.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Visa's cross-functional teams work closely together to ensure the highest levels of availability, performance, and operational excellence for Visa Spend Clarity for Enterprises.

Work Schedule: Full-time position with a hybrid work arrangement, expecting a certain number of days in the office (to be confirmed by the Hiring Manager).

📝 Enhancement Note: Visa's hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility while maintaining a collaborative work environment that encourages knowledge sharing and team interaction.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Site Reliability Engineer - Microsoft Admin (Windows Server, IIS, MS SQL Server) position at Visa:

  1. Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience with Microsoft stack administration, cloud technologies, and enterprise distributed systems, focusing on your troubleshooting, performance optimization, and incident management skills.
  2. Prepare Your Portfolio: Showcase your relevant projects and case studies, emphasizing your ability to manage and maintain complex systems.
  3. Research Visa: Familiarize yourself with Visa's products, services, and company culture to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the role during the interview process.
  4. Practice Technical Interview Questions: Brush up on your Microsoft stack administration skills, cloud technologies, and enterprise distributed systems, focusing on their application in a transactional system environment.
  5. Prepare for Behavioral and Cultural Fit Assessment: Reflect on your problem-solving skills, communication, and collaboration abilities, as well as your cultural fit within the team.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have 3+ years of relevant experience, particularly with transactional systems and enterprise distributed systems. Strong knowledge of Microsoft stack technologies and cloud platforms, along with excellent troubleshooting and performance optimization skills, is essential.