Head, DevOps Engineering at Interswitch

Job Summary

• In this role, you’ll lead the automation and configuration management of servers to enable Interswitch to meet the needs of the client by delivering stable environments for delivery of quality. To lead System Software Project plans development, and to align with Team Lead, Software Development and Team Lead, Software Testing on security and troubleshooting activities. To communicate client needs to team of DevOps Engineers and to report monthly progress to Chief Software Architect

Responsibilities:

Application Software Roadmap

• Create roadmap to facilitate application software development and ensure the development work is prioritised in line with business requirements.
• Lead team of DevOps Engineers to align on software development progress and integration and implement mitigation measures if need be.
• Review and discuss weekly progress reports submitted by the DevOps Engineers.
• Submit monthly progress reports to Chief Software Architect and align on incoming projects and needed mitigations.

Application Software Development

• Develop existing and new applications by analysing and identifying areas for modification and improvement.
• Develop new applications to meet customer requirements.
• Engage with cross-functional heads to align on needed improvements in software design and development.
• Direct troubleshooting and analysis of infrastructure and integration related codes.
• Schedule testing and audit sessions in alignment with team leads; monitor execution of improvements.
• Monitor, identify, and correct the most complex software defects to maintain fully functioning applications software.

Project Management

• Manage a portfolio of projects while reporting to the Chief Software Architect.
• Define software development project plan; collaborate with team leads (i.e. software development and software testing) on listing projects in pipeline to maintain alignment across all functions.
• Share software development project plan and regulatory procedures to team of DevOps Engineers.
• Monitor implementation of those procedures within Interswitch.

Information Security

• Implement and provide input on the design of required security measures such as firewalls or message encryption, monitoring performance to notify security experts of any problems.
• Deploy various software supporting tools including source control and cybersecurity, to enhance system security and integration.

Design and Conceptualisation

• Lead the design and execution of customer research projects by collecting and analysing customer and market data to develop an understanding of customer segments, trends, needs, and expectations.
• Work effectively with cross-functional teams to conceptualise products and services, leveraging data to drive original design ideas and decisions.
• Evaluate the feasibility / relevance of proposed solutions, working in cross-functional or agile teams to develop and deliver significant aspects of the development programme.
• Develop data-driven analyses to surface new opportunities to differentiate and improve products and user experiences, ensuring consistency across digital products, services, and channels.

Performance Management and Talent Optimisation

• Manage and report on DevOps Engineering team performance.
• Set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports or project / account team members, hold them accountable for achieving these, taking appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure the achievement of team / personal objectives.
• Motivate and support the growth of all DevOps Engineering team members, using equitable approaches to performance management and development that may be differentiated to support each employee's unique needs and preferences in order to bring out their best and meet business needs.

Customer Needs / Experience Research

• Complete research and analyse data to develop and support a sound understanding of customer segments, trends, needs, and expectations.
• Contribute to the design and creation of reporting strategies and templates. Lead execution of complex reports, identifying and interpreting complex patterns and trends, and translating those insights into actionable recommendations.
• Share insights with the DevOps team to ensure a better understanding of customer needs and make recommendations with a potential impact on the Customer Experience strategy to the Chief Software Architect.

Education

• Graduate Degree in Computer Science or a related field.

Required Experience:

• At least 8 years' experience in DevOps Software Engineering.
• At least 5 years' experience of planning, managing and organising resources within short / medium timescales, within the overall policy framework, specifically relating to DevOps Project Management.
• Substantial general work experience together with comprehensive job related experience in own area of expertise is required for job holder to operate at a fully competent level.
• Cloud Expertise: Deep, hands-on experience with AWS and Azure, and comfortable managing everything.
• Kubernetes Knowledge: You know Kubernetes inside-out and have used it in production environments.
• Infrastructure as Code: You’re proficient with Ansible, Terraform, or similar tools and have experience building and managing IaC in production environments.
• CI/CD Workflow Management: Skilled at setting up and optimizing CI/CD workflows, particularly with tools like Bitbucket Pipelines, Jenkins, and ArgoCD.
• Monitoring Tools: Proficient in Prometheus, Grafana, and ELK stack, with an eye for optimizing system monitoring, logging, and visualization.
• Scripting Skills: Strong experience with scripting languages like Bash and Python to automate tasks and streamline processes.
• Security Savvy: Knowledge of DevOps security best practices and familiarity with industry standards.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Proven ability to lead a team, provide technical guidance, and cultivate a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.