Senior DevOps System Engineer

Sallie Mae; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sallie Mae is seeking a Senior DevOps System Engineer to drive critical technical initiatives and contribute to system design and implementation. You will own features end-to-end and collaborate with product managers, designers, and engineers to deliver thoughtful solutions.

The role emphasizes building scalable infrastructure, code reviews, and tackling complex technical challenges to support students and education outcomes.

Job description

When you join Sallie Mae, you become a champion for all students.

We’re on a mission to power confidence as students begin their unique journey. To help them plan their higher education, successfully finish, and prepare for life after school. To help them Start smart. Learn big.

Students need guidance navigating this important time in their life. They need someone who acknowledges that their education path is unique. They need a partner willing to evolve and not only meet but surpass their expectations. We’re changing. Because students need a better way.

We’re looking for people who are excited to drive this transformation. To break barriers and think of new ways to adapt, help, and create better experiences for students—and for each other.

This is where diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives matter. It’s where you’re empowered to bring your authentic self to work.

Feeling your best allows you to do your best. Our benefits take care of the whole you—from physical and mental to financial and professional. You’ll get opportunities to further your education and career, support for you and your family (including your pets!), paid time off to volunteer for the things that matter to you, and more.

We’re obsessed with impact and making a real difference. For us, that means putting relationships first, asking “why not?” when tackling challenges, and continuously learning new skills.

Come do more than join something, change something. For students, for future generations, for the future of education.

What You’ll Contribute

The Senior DevOps System Engineer will be responsible for driving critical technical initiatives and contributing significantly to system design and implementation.

What You’ll Do

• Design, build, and maintain scalable systems, services, or infrastructure components.

• Make architectural decisions with long-term impact.

• Take ownership of features and projects end-to-end. Lead cross-functional technical initiatives with minimal oversight.

• Conduct code reviews with an emphasis on quality, performance, and maintainability.

• Tackle complex, ambiguous technical challenges with structured thinking and pragmatic solutions.

• Work closely with product managers, designers, and other engineers to deliver thoughtful and impactful solutions.

The above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job; it is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees in this role.

What You Have

Minimum education, skills and experience required.

• Strong knowledge of computer science fundamentals, system design, and architecture.

• Proficiency in one or more modern programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, Go, TypeScript).

• Proven experience designing and deploying production-quality systems at scale.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams.

• Experience with Azure DevOps.

• Experience with Cloud formation.

• Experience with Powershell and Shell scripting.

Preferred education, skills, and experience.

• 5+ years of professional engineering experience.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field.

• Fundamental understanding of AWS architecture.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination by employers, in compensation and employment opportunities, against qualified individuals with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the “