Level 3 has a fairly sizeable content distribution network (CDN) – people who generate a lot of internet content. Microsoft, Apple, video providers. We have servers numbered in the tens of thousands. To support this, we can’t rely on our Ops teams and expect them to jump on each box individually. Rely heavily on automation – we do builds, repairs, all sorts of things through automation platform. Would like this person to work on the automation platform. The core of the application is written in Ruby. Definitely like someone who has good Ruby skills as well as front end Ruby on Rails framework. Looking for someone with Ruby skills, Ruby on Rails to help build the front-end. Provide a simpler way of interacting with the system, that’s where the Rails framework comes in. Bits of data, how things should be built, the fallout…all the things you think would be required to run a network of this scale, that’s what this person will work on. Another bit of desirable experience would be combination of networking and sys administration. Networking comes into play when we have stuff deployed across the world – being able to develop an application that can work in a WAN environment, understanding how running these jobs across this broad of an environment would affect the design. Our CDN is built on generic white box servers. Knowing the details to take the box, load the applications, ready to start serving content, knowing the general build process is helpful. In summary, someone who knows Rails, can help with the supporting systems and front-ends to this application, someone who has some Ruby knowledge who can get into the core application, get in to support it, some supporting knowledge around networking and sys administration.
Work environment:
Largely self-contained group. Start-up environment.
Typical day:
Working with the other developers on the application. We would do demos, work with some of our stakeholders on some of the externally facing things.
Strong preference to have someone onsite here in Broomfield.
Bachelor’s is nice to have – not required
Top 3-5 things need to see on a resume:
Certainly a depth of skill on the Ruby and the Rails side
Red flag for me are folks that switch jobs every few months. Looking for someone we can bring in and make part of the team. Preference would be for someone to go from contract to perm. Looking for stability.
Appealing to us would be experience with SaltStack (which is a configuration management framework), 2nd would be Puppet or Chef
People who know how to build a server – that experience would be really desirable to us as well
Important non-technical skills?
Bonus would be people that are tinkerers – people who play with raspberry pi’s or arduinos. Shows they’re something of a kindred spirit