Staff Engineer - Platform Engineering

Early Warning Services LLC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Early Warning Services LLC is seeking a Staff Platform Engineer to define the technical roadmap, architect solutions, and lead cross-functional projects. You will design, build, and document platform engineering solutions while mentoring teammates and aligning with risk management practices.

The role emphasizes collaboration across engineering and product teams, with a focus on scalable data platform infrastructure and modern cloud-native practices. Hybrid work in multiple cities is supported.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years of related industry experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of CI/CD engineering practices.
• Experience with on-premise and AWS Cloud infrastructure.
• Experience with Container and Container Orchestration (Docker, Podman, Kubernetes).
• Experience with CI/CD Pipelines and Code Management Platforms (Harness, GitLab, Artifactory).
• Proficient in Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, AWS CloudFormation).
• Experience with Python, Java, JavaScript, or Shell.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and cross-team collaboration abilities.
• Background and drug screen completed.

Responsibilities

• Develops a data platform infrastructure strategy for large, open-ended problems.
• Leads technical architecture and cross-functional projects in Platform Engineering.
• Shapes technical strategy for broad requirements beyond the team.
• Provides leadership and technical expertise to create and execute plans.
• Builds cross-functional relationships within the Platform Engineering team.
• Speaks to high-visibility projects from inception to implementation.
• Stays current with industry trends via company training and education.
• Mentors junior team members on techniques, tools, and best practices.
• Supports risk management and data/system integrity initiatives.

Skills

CI/CD practices

AWS Cloud

Kubernetes

Terraform

Python

Java

JavaScript

Shell

On-prem

Communication

Problem solving

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/IS or related

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Docker

Podman

GitLab

Artifactory

Harness

Terraform

AWS CloudFormation

Job description

Overview

At Early Warning, we've powered and protected the U.S. financial system for over thirty years with solutions like Zelle, Paze, and more. We partner with thousands of institutions to increase access to financial services and protect transactions for hundreds of millions of consumers and small businesses.

Positions are located in Scottsdale, San Francisco, Chicago, or New York with a hybrid work model to enable collaboration.

Candidates must independently possess the eligibility to work in the United States at the date of hire. This position is ineligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Position

Staff Platform Engineer formulates the technical strategy that defines the roadmap for the team. This individual architectures, designs, builds, implements, automates, and documents the solutions the Platform Engineering team provides to engineering and product teams. Acts as a technical leader on the team and leads high-impact, cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Develops a data platform infrastructure strategy that tackles large, open-ended problems using forward-thinking approaches.
• Contributes to the strategic direction of the Platform Engineering team.
• Creates technical strategy for broad or complex requirements with forward-looking approaches that extend beyond the Platform Engineering team.
• Leads all aspects of technical architecture, design, prototyping and implementation in support of Platform Engineering needs and overall technology strategy.
• Provides leadership and technical expertise in support of building a technical plan and follows through on execution.
• Builds cross-functional relationships with peers and internally within the Platform Engineering team.
• Participates in high-visibility technical projects from inception to implementation.
• Stays current with industry trends and innovations through continuing education in Platform Engineering using company-provided training.
• Mentors junior team members with guidance on techniques, tools, and best practices.
• Supports the company's commitment to risk management and protecting the integrity and confidentiality of systems and data.
• The above job description is not an all-inclusive list of duties; incumbents will perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education or experience typically obtained through a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or related fields, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 8+ years of related industry experience.
• Strong understanding of CI/CD engineering practices.
• Experience with on-premise and AWS Cloud infrastructure.
• Experience with Container and Container Orchestration (Docker, Podman, Kubernetes).
• Experience with CI/CD Pipelines and Code Management Platforms (Harness, GitLab, Artifactory).
• Proficient in Infrastructure as Code (IaC) development (Terraform, AWS CloudFormation).
• Experience with a major programming/scripting language (Python, Java, JavaScript, Shell).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively.
• Able to make critical technical tradeoff decisions with cross-team impact.
• Background and drug screen completed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional related education and/or work experience preferred.
• Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Information Systems, or related field.
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect or within one year of hire.
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator certification.
• Terraform Authoring and Operations Professional certification.
• FinTech experience is a plus.

Physical Requirements

Office environment with sedentary work; extended computer use. May require standing, walking, kneeling, reaching. Ability to lift up to 10 pounds occasionally. Must be able to communicate with internal and external customers. Reasonable accommodations may be made as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

The base pay scale for this position varies by location: Phoenix, AZ / Chicago, IL: $145,000 - $186,000 per year; New York, NY / San Francisco, CA: $174,000 - $223,000 per year. Eligible employees may participate in a discretionary incentive plan and benefits. Pay scales are subject to change and may reflect factors such as job scope, market rates, location, education, experience, training, and certifications.

Early Warning Services supports wage equity and prohibits discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics. The company is an E-Verify participant.