Update: this position has now been filled from a surprisingly large number of qualified applicants.
Agathon Group is seeking a crack systems architect to join [our team](/about “our team”). We’ve always been a lean organization, but as the scope of our projects increases each year, we have a growing need for someone to help glue all our systems together into a seamless whole. The role requires a broad understanding of Linux, networking, security and programming along with a true joy in solving thorny problems. Are you intrigued?
The skinny
This position is a full-time, telecommuting, employee position, and would include the following broad responsibilities:
- Systems integration work, tying disparate applications together, particularly taking systems projects from prototype through to completion and release;
- Some web application programming, working solo on smaller projects and contributing to larger, distributed projects;
- Input on projects that Agathon Group is considering, as well as planning, architecting and executing projects we have already accepted;
- Managing your own (sub)projects as assigned by us; and
- Other miscellaneous responsibilities as they arise.
Details and expectations
We expect this position will consist of approximately 75% systems architecting and 25% web programming. The exact numbers will fluctuate as web application development work ebbs and flows. You must be able to manage multiple projects, each with real deadlines and often in disparate domains, and prioritize your own time to complete them.
Within the systems time, there will also be one-off type programming tasks; that means you must be extremely comfortable with and knowledgeable of Linux (command-line only), and you must be able to write multi-function scripts in either Perl or bash. Many of the systems projects will take place in a distributed (grid) computing environment, which means you ought to (at least) understand the concepts behind virtualization and clustered services.
The programming time will consist of individual (smaller) and group (larger) projects using, among other technologies, Javascript, PHP, Ruby, MySQL and XHTML/CSS. You must be able to use other people’s APIs and work within various language frameworks (e.g., Rails and Symfony). You must be able to write reasonable documentation for a project and follow someone else’s documentation to work through new technologies.
Workflow
For the most part, you would be placed in charge of a project or task and allowed to pursue solutions as you see fit, often with assistance and guidance from fellow team members. We try to take on projects that are interesting to us, which means most of the time we don’t know exactly how to solve a problem when we accept a project. We’re counting on you to be part of the team that figures out elegant answers to hard problems.
We would expect you to be able to learn new techniques and figure things out on your own, but would also expect you to ask for help when you approach an impasse. Time truly does equal money — we would value your candor in saying, “I don’t know” and asking for help, rather than spinning your wheels unproductively. Strong communication skills are critical, as telecommuting magnifies opportunities for confusion.
What you get
- Wages, to be negotiated.
- Medical, dental and vision insurance.
- A matching 401k.
- Amazing co-workers from whom you will learn many things, and vice versa.
What you don’t get
- Office politics. We have no offices because everyone telecommutes, but it goes beyond that. We strive to do the right thing in all that we do, and that includes the ways we work together.
- Lame job titles. Javascript Ninja? PHP Rock Star? Fail. We’re too busy building great things to bother with silly titles.
If this sounds like a fit, send us your resume (PDF is preferred, plaintext is also acceptable). If you know someone else that might fit, please feel free to pass along this blog post.