Senior SRE

Overview

Senior SRE — Palo Alto, CA | Engineering | Hybrid | Full-time

Instrumental provides software technologies that optimize manufacturing processes to cut waste. Our platform collects, transforms, and contextually presents manufacturing data to enable real-time optimization. Our core technology is proprietary ML algorithms packaged in a user-centric interface. We are experiencing growth in the AI-Infrastructure market segment.

• Deploy and operate commercial SaaS platforms on public cloud infrastructure (AWS preferred).
• Own and operate production reliability, performance, and customer impact in a production environment.
• Lead initiatives and drive impactful projects to completion with initiative and independence.
• Operate with ambiguity and adapt to startup pace while creating clarity for teams.
• Introduce and integrate AI tools and processes into development and operations workflows.
• Set, iterate on, and measure KPIs to ensure performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Collaborate on security and compliance considerations where applicable (network/application security experience is a plus).

• 5+ years of Dev Ops or SRE experience deploying and operating commercial SaaS platforms on public cloud infrastructure; AWS experience preferred.
• Expert knowledge of Linux, shell scripting, containerization, Kubernetes, IaC (Terraform preferred), monitoring, logging, and APM tools.
• Proven ability to take initiative and drive projects to completion efficiently and independently.
• Comfort with ambiguity, fast pace, and frequent pivots typical of a startup environment; ability to create clarity for teams.
• Experience introducing and integrating AI tools/processes into development and operation workflows.
• Demonstrated skill in setting and measuring KPIs for ongoing performance and reliability.

• PSR-obsessed owner who takes responsibility for production reliability, performance, and customer impact, making pragmatic tradeoffs under pressure.
• Strong systems & infrastructure engineer with an everything-as-code, automation-first mindset.
• Thrives in ambiguity and high-growth environments; trusted, decisive, and calm when it matters most.
• Trusted, dependable partner known for sound judgment, clear communication, and calm execution—especially when things go sideways.

This position requires access to items and data that are developed under U.S. government contracts and subject to dissemination controls that limit access to U.S. citizens only.

We’re a growing team that works collaboratively, supports each other, and is energized by the opportunity for a large impact. We actively promote an inclusive environment and value passion and the ability to learn. You’re encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn’t precisely match the job description.

The following is a representative annual base salary range for this position within the Bay Area: $181-197k. Job level and salary opportunities are evaluated through our interview process based on experience and abilities. Instrumental offers a variety of benefits, including health, vision, dental, commuter plans, and parental leave.

Interested candidates should submit the usual application materials through the standard process.