Senior Manager Software Defined Storage Engineer – (CEPH / GlusterFS / MinIO)

Position Description

As the Senior Manager for Data Center Storage Engineering, you will lead the strategic development, optimization, and integration of advanced storage methodologies, including object, file, and block storage, as well as SAN technologies, within various service paradigms such as bare metal, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS). You'll provide visionary leadership and strategic direction, ensuring the team aligns with the company's business goals and objectives. Your role will involve close collaboration with senior leadership, IT teams, and external partners to drive innovation in our storage capabilities.

Position Responsibilities

1. Define and spearhead the organization's SDS strategy, ensuring a scalable, secure, and cost-effective storage infrastructure.
2. Lead and mentor a high-performing team of SDS engineers and specialists, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
3. Oversee the design and implementation of robust 'Storage as a Service' solutions, facilitating integration across various operational tiers and storage types.
4. Engage with senior leadership and other department heads to identify, recommend, and implement storage solutions based on organizational requirements and industry trends.
5. Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the storage solutions portfolio, ensuring optimal performance and adherence to compliance and SLAs.
6. Negotiate contracts and build strategic relationships with vendors and service providers, ensuring beneficial terms that support the organization's storage needs.
7. Stay abreast of industry developments, assessing new technologies, and ensuring the organization maintains its competitive edge in SDS capabilities.

Qualifications

1. Software and system design knowledge and experience.
2. Knowledge of cloud computing technologies and concepts.
3. 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).
4. Familiarity with virtualization technologies (eg, VMware, Hyper-V) and their interaction with underlying storage infrastructures.
5. Strong understanding of and experience with software-defined storage services such as Ceph, MinIO, Swift, OpenStack, and GlusterFS.
6. Proficiency with cloud services and infrastructure, including public and private cloud environments.
7. Solid knowledge of traditional storage technologies and how they integrate with software-defined solutions.
8. Familiarity with Linux operating systems and scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or Perl.
9. Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills to work effectively with various teams within the organization.
10. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving potential issues before they arise.
11. Deep understanding of and experience with open-source technologies, open hardware, disaggregated computing, and high-performance computer environments is preferred.
12. Deep understanding of data center hardware technologies such as Compute Nodes, Network and Connectivity Devices and Storage Devices.
13. Hands-on experience or managing teams working with Terraform, Ansible, and similar orchestration and automation tools.
14. Extensive knowledge in the development and deployment of one of the following: BMC, IPMI, OpenBMC, and Redfish/Swordfish API.
15. Experience with Open Compute Project (OCP) and SNIA specifications is highly desirable.
16. Strategic and analytical thinking skills, capable of aligning storage technology initiatives with broader business objectives.
17. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, adept at negotiating with stakeholders, vendors, and partners.
18. Deep understanding of risk management in relation to IT and storage investments.
19. Track record of effectively leading and scaling technical teams, with tangible results in strategic storage initiatives.

Required Experience

1. Minimum of 10 years in the tech industry, with at least 5 years of proven experience leading the developing and implementing enterprise-wide storage strategies within a complex business environment.
2. 5+ years of experience managing complex storage solution environments, with substantial direct experience in SAN and SDS engineering and administration.
3. 5+ years proven expertise in designing, implementing, and maintaining high-availability storage systems, particularly within SAN environments.
4. 5+ years of hands-on experience in implementing and managing object, block, and file storage solutions.
5. 5+ years of experience overseeing successful data migration projects between different storage platforms, demonstrating strategic planning and risk management capabilities.
6. 5+ years of experience overseeing disaster recovery drills and actual recovery operations in SAN and SDS settings.
7. Minimum of 5 years of experience in a storage engineering role, with a focus on software-defined storage solutions in cloud environments.
8. 5+ years’ experience in managing and scaling out storage in a multi-tenant environment is preferred.
9. 5+ years of experience with systems architecture and design.
10. 6+ years coding experience with at least 3 years of experience in one of the following languages: C/C++ development, Bash, Python or GO or other related languages.

Desired Experience

1. 5+ years of development in a large-scale, mission-critical environment.
2. 5+ years of hands-on work experience supervising personnel in a technical environment.
3. Knowledge of cloud computing technologies and concepts (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, etc).
4. Proven ability to concentrate and demonstrate a capacity for learning technical concepts and adapting to new technologies quickly.
5. Experience in modern software development methodologies.

Education

1. Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, MBA, or a related field with a strong technical foundation.
2. Additional certifications in project management (eg, PMP), IT service management (eg, ITIL), or specific storage technologies are highly favorable.

Annual Salary

The above annual salary range is a general guideline. Multiple factors are taken into consideration to arrive at the final hourly rate/ annual salary to be offered to the selected candidate. Factors include, but are not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, the selected candidate’s work experience, education and training, the work location as well as market and business considerations.

At this time, GEICO will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

Benefits:

As an Associate, you’ll enjoy our Total Rewards Program to help secure your financial future and preserve your health and well-being, including:

• Premier Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance with no waiting period.
• Paid Vacation, Sick and Parental Leave.
• 401(k) Plan.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Paid Training and Licensures.

*Benefits may be different by location. Benefit eligibility requirements vary and may include length of service.

**Coverage begins on the date of hire. Must enroll in New Hire Benefits within 30 days of the date of hire for coverage to take effect.

The equal employment opportunity policy of the GEICO Companies provides for a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. GEICO hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

GEICO reasonably accommodates qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to receive equal employment opportunity and/or perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship to the Company. This applies to all applicants and associates. GEICO also provides a work environment in which each associate is able to be productive and work to the best of their ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment. We expect and require the cooperation of all associates in maintaining an atmosphere free from discrimination and harassment with mutual respect by and for all associates and applicants.