Principal Engineer

Principal Engineer, Data Center

At Coupang we are building the future of ecommerce. Born out of an obsession to make shopping, eating, and living easier than ever, we’re collectively disrupting the multi-billion-dollar e-commerce industry from the ground up. We exist to wow our customers. We know we’re doing the right thing when we hear our customers say, “How did we ever live without Coupang?” We are one of the fastest-growing e-commerce companies that established an unparalleled reputation for being a dominant and reliable force in South Korean commerce.

We are proud to have the best of both worlds — a startup culture with the resources of a large global public company. This fuels us to continue our growth and launch new services at the speed we have been at since our inception. We are all entrepreneurial surrounded by opportunities to drive new initiatives and innovations. At our core, we are bold and ambitious people who like to get our hands dirty and make a hands-on impact. At Coupang, you will see yourself, your colleagues, your team, and the company grow every day.

Our mission to build the future of commerce is real. We push the boundaries of what’s possible to solve problems and break traditional tradeoffs. Join Coupang now to create an epic experience in this always-on, high-tech, and hyper-connected world.

About the Role: 

The Data Center Architect must be “thought-leader” in next-generation data center technologies should have a strong, proven IT background, a passion for solving business problems with technology, and familiarity with the broad range of compute infrastructure / products and solutions. This role will require and in-depth expertise of developing and maintaining on-prem, cloud and hybrid data centers to building the next generation datacenter platforms. 

This role will be responsible for leading tasks in the planning and designing of a Data Center and/or a Co-Location environment as a dedicated space to deploy networked computer systems, storage systems, computing infrastructure, and associated components that store, manage, process, organize, and distribute a large amount of data.

The candidate should possess experience in designing data centers power, cooling and HVAC systems engineering considerations. will also oversee and guide the data center operations, ensuring all production server environments are secure, operational, and highly available through continuous proactive monitoring, customer support, and scheduled maintenance preparation.

This role will require a deep and thorough working knowledge in building BCP /DR with Active-Passive, Active -Active setups. Demonstrative technical expertise to lead projects in multiple areas (i.e., engineering domains or systems) within a data center facility, including construction and equipment installation/troubleshooting/debugging with vendors.

As a Systems Architect, the role will participate in the development of future computer architectures that are tailored towards running business goals, maintaining the necessary flexibility for new algorithmic methods and use case innovations.

Key Responsibilities:
•    In depth design and implementation of Data Center build outs, including installation of cabinets, structured cabling, and installation/provisioning of new hardware.
•    Work with Network engineering and lead Data Center projects to ensure they are delivered to meet customer requirements
•    Participate in the planning, coordination, implementation and execution of approved policies, programs and services related to Data Center services
•    Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define project design criteria and develop a Basis of Design
•    Technical leader managing the Consultants to implement the project from Design through Construction with comprehensive supportive documentation.
•    Proven working experience in data center design, implementation, migration, BCP /DR concepts.  
•    Review and update Data Center "as-built" documentation, re-configurations and updates as needed
•    Full working knowledge of current best practices for cabinet level hardware, industry standard cable management, documentation, and labeling standards
•    Support and execute all data center capacity management and inventory control for optics, cables, and all Data Center server/network hardware
•    Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to come up with industry best Datacenter solutions/proposal, ability to present Architecture, roadmap for DC technologies
•    Coordinate with leads in the System Architect team with container orchestration, cloud solutions and services in a hybrid cloud environment
•    Leads the organization’s data management, security, and migration initiatives while providing direction for a team of database administrators and specialists
•    Examines the organization’s current data management systems and identifies opportunities to enhance performance, availability, scalability and prepare for growth
•    Works with Systems and security orgs assists in development of policies for standardizing systems, development tools and security practices
•    Identify requirements, research options, design and implement solutions at a leadership level for the application/systems/services that organization runs
•    Perform technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost, and risk assessments
•    Identify, research, design, optimize, and integrate information technology-based solutions to complex business problems
•    Conduct and review detailed technical design with technology subject-matter experts; transition design to solution engineers and assist with implementation plan construction
•    Possess breadth and depth of knowledge and experience across the following information technology domains: data center technologies (compute, storage, virtualization, network, cloud, BCP, DR solutions)
•    Expert level experience with public and private cloud services, micro services, advanced cloud technologies (examples: Virtualization, VMware, AWS, Google, Azure, on-prem, Hybrid solutions, hyper converged solutions etc.)
•    understand the key aspects of legacy and modern data center architectural systems. Using this experience, identify improvement areas in existing and next-generation data center designs to address master planning building architectural systems, constructibility, and sustainability
•    15 years in Datacenter technologies with proven ability in large-scale data center hardware deployments and server relocation projects
•    Sophisticated knowledge in diagnosing servers, hardware repair, and component replacement
•    Lead projects with widespread impact on infrastructure design, innovation, and implementation
•    Responsible for conducting and providing oversight for the review of the architectural design of next generation data center designs

Essential Qualifications:
•    15+ years of Data Center architectural experience
•    10+ years of experience in mission-critical Data center design, implementation, migration
•    Experience in building BCP, DR Architecture, implement and manage execution and operations
•    Experience with structured cabling, optical technologies, DC power management, and server/network hardware
•    Should possess knowledge of industry standards, building codes and safety standards
•    Must have strong cross-discipline knowledge of complete critical facility systems
•    Ability to provide solutions to complex projects under pressure
•    Experience working in a regulatory environment with deep understanding of Change Control, Incident Management & Problem Management processes and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications:
•    Expertise in the Linux command-line environment
•    Expert in Datacenter Compute and Network infrastructure
•    Hands-on experience in day-to-day Data Center operations
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
•    Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills
•    Knowledge of scripting and job creation
•    Knowledge of version control systems
•    Ability to create Linux scripts for the completion, automation of task level requirements and ability to create and manage cron jobs.
•    Knowledge of a software development lifecycle that includes development, validation, integration, training and production.
•    Ability to develop a detailed project plan that includes schedule, scope, communication plan, risk analysis, resource estimates, milestones and back-out procedures
•    Ability to produce operational documentation using industry best practices in technical writing
•    Ability to gather process requirements to automate into playbooks
•    Ability to develop and implement service request workflows for automating system operation and maintenance processes
•    Adept at working independently, but also in a team environment
•    Demonstrated experience delivering technology solutions in a fast-paced, deadline driven enterprise environment
•    Proactive and flexible with ability to effectively work either as part of a team or as an individual
•    Self-starter, highly motivated individual who adapts to a dynamic work environment
•    Strong attention to detail with an ability to operate effectively across multiple priorities

Pay & Benefits:
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. At Coupang, your base pay is one part of your total compensation.  
The base pay for this position ranges from $184,000/year in our lowest geographic market to $376,000/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on several factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

 General Description of All Benefits:   
•    Medical/Dental/Vision/Life, AD&D insurance
•    Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) & Health Savings Account (HSA)
•    Long-term/Short-term Disability
•    Employee Assistance Program (EAP) program
•    401K Plan with Company Match
•    18-21 days of the Paid Time Off (PTO) a year based on the tenure
•    12 Public Holidays
•    Paid Parental leave
•    Pre-tax commuter benefits
•    MTV - [Free] Electric Car Charging Station

General Description of Other Compensation: 
“Other Compensation” includes, but is not limited to, bonuses, equity, or other forms of compensation that would be offered to the hired applicant in addition to their established salary range or wage scale.  

Coupang is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hair styles), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ,ancestry, national origin (including language use restrictions), age (40 and over), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C status, family status (including but not limited to marital or domestic partnership status), military or veteran status, use of a trained dog guide or service animal, political activities or affiliations, ancestry, citizenship, family and medical leave status, status as a victim of any violent crime, or any other characteristic or class protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Coupang is also committed to providing a safe work environment for its employees and its consumers.  As a condition of employment, Coupang requires employees to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, subject to legally required accommodations. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation in the application of recruiting process due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected]