Distributed Systems Engineer 5 — Cloud Network Engineering
Netflix · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $473,000 / year
- United States
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Job highlights
- Engineer cloud network for streaming, gaming, and advertising.
- Develop scalable and resilient AWS network architectures.
- Write code to automate network configuration and management.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to improve network solutions.
- Solve complex problems in ambiguous environments.
About the role
About Netflix
At Netflix, our mission is to entertain the world. Together, we are writing the next episode - pushing the boundaries of storytelling, global fandom and making the unimaginable a reality. We are a dream team obsessed with the uncomfortable excitement of discovering what happens when you merge creativity, intuition and cutting-edge technology. Come be a part of what’s next. Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 300+ million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. At Netflix, we want to entertain the world and are constantly innovating on how entertainment is imagined, created and delivered to a global audience. We currently stream content in more than 30 languages in 190 countries, topping over 300 million paid subscribers and are expanding into new forms of entertainment such as gaming. Engineering teams within Netflix work hard every day to scale and innovate this content production and membership experience in an ever growing complex software landscape.About the Cloud Network Engineering Team
The Cloud Network Engineering team’s goal is to create network architectures that can readily evolve with the needs of our product services and initiatives. Netflix is entering an exciting period as we evolve from a large-scale homogenous environment supporting streaming video on demand to a more heterogeneous one supporting these new businesses. We achieve this goal by developing tools and services that improve network availability, scale, performance and security. Our goals are to scale streaming services and support our expanded business use-cases of Gaming, Advertising and Sudio. We deliver on these goals via our mission to evolve, manage, optimize, and scale the network on Netflix’s compute infrastructure.What You'll Do
- Balancing bias to action with the ability to make well-informed bets.
- Engaging directly with end engineering users to understand their needs and improve their experience.
- Understanding and solving business needs at scale with high-quality solutions.
- Leaning into proactiveness and effective communication in pursuit of cross-functional alignment.
- Writing and maintaining code to solve complex network problems, automate network configuration, and streamline management processes, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of our network infrastructure.
- Contributing to the design and architecture of network components, including VPCs, load balancers, network gateways, and IPv6 configurations, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of the platform.
- Engaging directly with end engineering users to understand their needs and continuously improve their experience with our network solutions.
- Understanding and addressing business needs at scale, delivering high-quality solutions that align with our organizational goals and strategy.
What You'll Bring
- Experience developing solutions using cloud-native technologies and frameworks, with a strong focus on scalability and resilience.
- Expertise in cloud networking, particularly within AWS, including VPC design, subnetting, security groups, and routing, is highly desirable.
- Experience with Go, Java, Python, or similar object-oriented programming languages and a demonstrated ability to write clean, maintainable, and efficient code.
- Solid understanding of networking fundamentals across layers L2 to L7. This includes knowledge of network protocols and troubleshooting in production environments.
- A deep commitment to continuous learning, coupled with a pragmatic approach to thinking and the ability to navigate ambiguous areas and break down complex problems.
- A passion for technology combined with the ability to navigate ambiguous areas, breaking down complex problems into actionable solutions.
Nice to Have Skills
- Experience with container and orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
- Experience building and operating microservices within a highly reliable and distributed systems environment. Demonstrated ability to ensure service resilience and scalability.
- Familiarity with Temporal or similar workflow orchestration tools for managing complex application workflows and ensuring fault-tolerant service execution.
You Will Be Successful In The Role If
- You thrive in ambiguity; complex and fuzzy requirements are more common than clearly defined customer expectations.
- You take incremental steps toward solving big problems; test and learn approaches work better than heads down development.
- You are independent and self driven; progress is often self-directed by teams & individuals.
- You’ve read about Netflix’s culture and think you would thrive here.
Team Insights
Here are a few recent talks and posts from members of the team to highlight the work we do:- How Netflix is able to enrich VPC Flow logs
- How Netflix is using IPv6 to enable hyperscale networking
- NATless IPv6/IPv4 Address Translation
Compensation & Benefits
Generally, our compensation structure consists solely of an annual salary; we do not have bonuses. You choose each year how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options. To determine your personal top of market compensation, we rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, skills, and experience to determine your compensation in the market range. The range for this role is $388,000.00 - $558,000.00. This compensation range will vary based on location. Netflix provides comprehensive benefits including Health Plans, Mental Health support, a 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match, Stock Option Program, Disability Programs, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, Family-forming benefits, and Life and Serious Injury Benefits. We also offer paid leave of absence programs. Full-time hourly employees accrue 35 days annually for paid time off to be used for vacation, holidays, and sick paid time off. Full-time salaried employees are immediately entitled to flexible time off. See more details about our Benefits here. Netflix is a unique culture and environment. Learn more here. Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner. We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service. Job is open for no less than 7 days and will be removed when the position is filled.Key skills/competency
- Distributed Systems
- Cloud Networking
- AWS
- Network Architecture
- Scalability
- Resilience
- Go
- Python
- Troubleshooting
- Problem-solving
Skills & topics
- Distributed Systems Engineer
- Cloud Network Engineering
- AWS
- VPC
- Subnetting
- Routing
- Go
- Python
- Java
- L2-L7 Networking
- Network Architecture
- Scalability
- Resilience
- Troubleshooting
- Problem-solving
- Containerization
- Kubernetes
- Microservices
- Temporal
- Netflix
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight AWS, cloud-native technologies, Go/Python, and L2-L7 networking expertise.
- Showcase problem-solving: Emphasize experience navigating ambiguity and breaking down complex issues.
- Demonstrate proactive communication: Provide examples of cross-functional collaboration and user engagement.
- Understand Netflix culture: Research their values of freedom & responsibility, and continuous learning.
- Prepare for technical deep dives: Be ready to discuss distributed systems and cloud networking challenges.
Technical preparation
Master AWS networking concepts and services.,Practice coding in Go, Python, or Java.,Review L2-L7 network protocols and troubleshooting.,Prepare system design for distributed environments.
Behavioral questions
Describe a time you solved a complex, ambiguous problem.,How do you balance action with informed decision-making?,Provide an example of proactive communication and collaboration.,Discuss your approach to continuous learning and self-direction.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities of a Distributed Systems Engineer at Netflix?
- As a Distributed Systems Engineer at Netflix, you will focus on evolving, managing, optimizing, and scaling the network on Netflix's compute infrastructure. This involves developing tools and services to improve network availability, scale, performance, and security, supporting streaming, gaming, and advertising initiatives. You'll write code to automate network configuration, solve complex problems, and contribute to network architecture design, particularly within AWS.
- What technical skills are most important for this Distributed Systems Engineer role at Netflix?
- The most critical technical skills include experience with cloud-native technologies and frameworks, especially within AWS (VPC design, subnetting, routing). Proficiency in object-oriented programming languages like Go, Java, or Python is essential, as is a solid understanding of networking fundamentals (L2-L7 protocols) and production troubleshooting. Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) is a plus.
- How does Netflix approach compensation for Distributed Systems Engineers?
- Netflix compensation for this role consists solely of an annual salary, with no bonuses. The salary range is $388,000.00 - $558,000.00, which can vary by location. Employees have the flexibility to choose how much of their compensation they receive as salary versus stock options annually.
- What is the work environment like for a Distributed Systems Engineer at Netflix?
- The work environment at Netflix is characterized by a unique culture that values freedom and responsibility, continuous learning, and a bias for action. You'll thrive in ambiguity, taking incremental steps to solve big problems, and often work independently and self-directed. The role involves direct engagement with end-users to understand and improve their experience with network solutions.
- Does Netflix offer comprehensive benefits for this Distributed Systems Engineer position?
- Yes, Netflix provides a comprehensive benefits package. This includes health plans, mental health support, a 401(k) with employer match, a stock option program, disability programs, flexible spending accounts, family-forming benefits, and life insurance. Salaried employees also receive flexible time off.
- How can I demonstrate my ability to handle ambiguity in my application for the Netflix role?
- To demonstrate your ability to handle ambiguity, highlight experiences where you successfully navigated unclear requirements, broke down complex problems into manageable steps, and took initiative to find solutions. Use examples where you employed a test-and-learn approach or operated effectively with self-direction, showcasing your comfort with evolving challenges.