Creative Systems Developer

Aquent; Cupertino (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

401k with match

Job summary

Aquent is seeking a Creative Systems Developer to design, build, and maintain internal tools, APIs, and infrastructure that power our global creative production environment. You will work at the intersection of systems engineering and creative workflows, enabling designers to stay productive and ensuring reliable services across platforms.

The role emphasizes storage management, automation, and deployment on Kubernetes with cloud support, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to shape

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in systems engineering, DevOps, or systems administration—ideally in media, design, or creative production environments.
• Experience with high-performance storage (Qumulo or similar platforms like Isilon/NetApp) and data backup strategies.
• Experience using AI-assisted development tools to accelerate engineering tasks and automate workflows.
• Strong Python for APIs, automation scripts, and tooling; solid Linux shell scripting and production server administration.
• Hands-on deployment and management of applications on Kubernetes and cloud infrastructure (S3, EC2, or similar).
• Solid understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP) and troubleshooting across application, system, and network layers.
• Experience with Git version control, CI/CD workflows, Terraform, and configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet, JAMF, etc.).
• Excellent communication skills to translate technical concepts for designers and collaborate with network engineers.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and monitor Qumulo storage systems globally with redundancy and backups of data, core systems, and services.
• Build and maintain automation tooling in Python and shell scripting to streamline infrastructure operations and creative workflows.
• Deploy, manage, and scale internal services on managed Kubernetes clusters.
• Maintain software license servers, assist with end-user software installation/configuration, and document APIs, tools, and procedures.
• Collaborate with technical partners on architectural roadmaps and drive projects to completion.

Skills

Systems engineering

DevOps

Storage design

Qumulo

AI acceleration

Python

Linux scripting

Kubernetes

Cloud (S3/EC2)

Networking

Git/CI-CD

Terraform

Config management

JAMF

Communication

Education

BS in Computer Science or Engineering

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Terraform

Ansible

Puppet

JAMF

Job description

Join a world-renowned company at the forefront of digital innovation, where your work directly impacts the beautiful content experienced by millions globally across diverse platforms. This is an unparalleled opportunity to shape the very infrastructure that powers groundbreaking creative production, from concept to delivery.

We’re seeking a Creative Systems Developer to design, build, and maintain the internal tools, APIs, and infrastructure that power their creative production environment—locally and across their global footprint of designers. The organization is responsible for all the beautiful source content designed and seen across all platforms—Apps, Games, Music, Movies, TV Shows, and the next big thing—whether showcasing content built in-house or featured from external providers. This position places you at the intersection of systems engineering and creative infrastructure, building the services and automation that keep designers productive and systems reliable.

Location: Culver City, CA or Cupertino, CA

Schedule: In-Office T/W/Th; Remote M/F

Pay Comments: W2, weekly pay, benefits, 401k w/ match

Background screening required

Key Qualifications

• Experience: 3+ years of experience in systems engineering, DevOps, or systems administration—ideally with exposure to media, design, or creative production environments.
• Storage Architecture: Experience with high-performance network-attached storage (Qumulo or similar platforms such as Isilon or NetApp) and data backup strategies.
• Modern Workflows: Experience utilizing AI-assisted development (e.g., Copilot, Claude, Codex) to accelerate engineering tasks, develop automation, and optimize internal workflows.
• Automation & Scripting: Strong proficiency in Python for building APIs, automation scripts, and tooling, alongside solid Linux shell scripting and production server administration.
• Infrastructure & Deployment: Hands‑on experience deploying and managing applications on container orchestration platforms (Kubernetes) and cloud infrastructure (S3, EC2, or similar).
• Networking: Solid understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP) and troubleshooting system performance across application, system, and network layers.
• Tools & CM: Experience with Git version control, CI/CD workflows, Terraform, and configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet, JAMF, etc.).
• Soft Skills: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to act as a technical “translator”—gracefully moving between troubleshooting with non‑technical designers and collaborating with deeply technical network engineers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of creative production workflows, pipelines (VFX, motion graphics), and industry tools (Adobe Creative Cloud, Sketch, Frame.io).
• Familiarity with VMware vSphere environments and database systems (SQL/Postgres).
• Experience with system monitoring and observability platforms.
• A strong design sensibility with an appreciation for layout, visual consistency, and accessibility best practices when building internal tools and interfaces.

Role Description

• Infrastructure Management: Maintain and monitor physical and cloud-based Qumulo storage systems around the world; ensure strict redundancy and backups of data, core systems, and services.
• Automation: Build and maintain automation tooling in Python and shell scripting to streamline infrastructure operations and creative workflows.
• Deployment: Deploy, manage, and scale internal services on top of managed Kubernetes clusters.
• Support & Systems Ops: Maintain software license servers, assist with end‑user software installation/configuration, and write comprehensive documentation for APIs, tools, and operational procedures.
• Collaboration: Drive systems engineering projects to completion by working closely with technical business partners and participating in architectural roadmap discussions.

Education and Experience: BS in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field—or equivalent practical experience.

Aquent is an equal‑opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment—one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.