Staff Engineer- Software Defined Storage – (CEPH / MinIO / GlusterFS)

Position Description 

The Enterprise Storage Engineer will be at the forefront of storage architecture, responsible for integrating various forms of storage solutions into a cohesive, robust system. They will be immersed in the planning, development, execution, and maintenance of scalable storage solutions. The ideal candidate will have in-depth experience with different storage types and their applications in business settings, able to navigate the complexities and leverage each form's strengths. This role is central to the IT organization, requiring a forward-thinking innovator ready to manage and enhance our storage capabilities dynamically. 

Position Responsibilities 

As a Staff Engineer, you will:   

• Contribute to the design, implement, and administer high-availability storage solutions, spanning SDS and SAN environments, as well as 'Storage as a Service' systems for private cloud environments 

• Ensure the seamless integration of storage solutions such as object, block and file storage with bare metal, IaaS, and PaaS services, optimizing performance and scalability 

• Conduct comprehensive performance analysis and optimization of SAN environments, focusing on efficiency, reliability, and integration with SDS initiatives 

• Collaborate on the strategy and implementation of data protection, disaster recovery, and security protocols across all storage infrastructures 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including network engineers, developers, and cloud architects, to ensure the compatibility and integration of storage solutions with overall system architecture 

• Provide technical leadership and support related to SDS, including troubleshooting, and resolving any system issues to ensure high availability and performance 

• Keep abreast of the latest trends and technologies in SDS and participating in relevant educational opportunities to support this 

• Drive continuous improvement by staying updated with emerging technologies and industry best practices, ensuring the security, stability, and scalability of the system architecture 

• Accountable for the quality, usability, and performance of the solutions 

• Utilize programming languages like Python, C# or other object-oriented languages, SQL, and NoSQL databases, Container Orchestration services including Docker and Kubernetes, and a variety of Azure tools and services 

• Consistently share best practices and improve processes within and across teams 

• Mentor junior team members, providing guidance and insight related to cloud infrastructure and best practices in system management 

Qualifications 

• Deep understanding of various storage architectures and solutions, including object storage (with technologies like Amazon S3, OpenStack Swift), block storage (using software like iSCSI, Fibre Channel), and file storage (solutions such as NFS, SMB/CIFS) 

• Proficiency with data management and storage protocols/services (e.g., Fibre Channel, iSCSI, NFS, SMB/CIFS) 

• Familiarity with virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V) and their interaction with underlying storage infrastructures 

• Strong understanding of and experience with software-defined storage services such as Ceph, MinIO, Swift, OpenStack, and GlusterFS 

• Proficiency with cloud services and infrastructure, including public and private cloud environments 

• Solid knowledge of traditional storage technologies and how they integrate with software-defined solutions 

• Familiarity with Linux operating systems and scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or Perl 

• Ability to plan and execute migration strategies from traditional SAN to SDS, ensuring data integrity, minimal downtime, and system performance optimization 

• Ability to troubleshoot complex storage issues, including performance bottlenecks, data recovery, and optimization challenges 

• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills to work effectively with various teams within the organization 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving potential issues before they arise 

• Exceptional problem-solving capabilities, with a proven track record of overcoming technical challenges 

• Effective communication skills, capable of building strong relationships with team members, stakeholders, and external partners 

Required Experience 

• 5+ years of experience in complex storage solution environments, with substantial direct experience in SAN and SDS engineering and administration 

• 4+ years of proven expertise in designing, implementing, and maintaining high-availability storage systems, particularly within SAN environments 

• 4+ years of hands-on experience implementing and managing cloud storage solutions such as direct attached storage, Storage Area Network (SAN), JBOD/JBOD and working with formats such as object, block, and file storage solutions 

• 4+ years of experience with successful data migration projects between different storage platforms, demonstrating strategic planning and risk management capabilities 

• 4+ years of experience in direct involvement in disaster recovery drills and actual recovery operations in SAN and SDS settings 

• 4+ years of experience in managing and scaling out storage in a multi-tenant environment is preferred 

• 4+ years of experience working with security protocols and products: Understanding of Active Directory, Windows Authentication, SAML, OAuth  

• 3+ years of experience in a collaborative development environment, utilizing modern software development methodologies 

• 4+ years scripting/coding experience in one of the following languages: C/C++ development, Bash, Python or GO  

• 3+ years of experience in developing and maintaining large scale, high-availability systems 

• 4+ years of solid history of engaging with OpenSource communities, with contributions to projects, forums, or discussions  

• 2+ years of experience in a storage engineering role, with a focus on software-defined storage solutions in cloud environments 

Desired Experience 

• 8+ years of professional software development experience 

• 5+ years of experience with systems architecture and design 

• 5+ years of experience working with AWS, GCP, Azure, or another cloud service  

• 4+ years of experience in open-source frameworks 

• 1+ years of technical leadership experience   

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent education or work experience 

• Certifications relating to cloud services (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure), software-defined storage technologies (such as Ceph or OpenStack), or related areas are highly advantageous.