Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)

- Describe how you would design a scalable and highly available system. Which technologies and architectures would you leverage and why?
- Explain your approach to incident response. Can you walk us through a real-life scenario where you effectively managed a major incident?
- How do you monitor system performance and uptime? Which tools and metrics are most important to you, and why?
- Discuss your experience with configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef. How have you implemented them in past projects?
- Can you detail your proficiency with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes? How have you used these tools to improve reliability and scalability?
- What is your approach to optimizing system performance? Provide examples of performance bottlenecks you've encountered and how you resolved them.
- How do you ensure data integrity and consistency across distributed systems? What technologies and strategies do you use?
- Share an example of a time you automated a recurring task or process. What tools did you use and what was the impact of this automation?
- Discuss your experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure. How have you implemented and managed infrastructure in a cloud environment?
- Describe a complex problem you faced related to system reliability and how you resolved it. What steps did you take to prevent similar issues in the future?

- Describe a time when you identified a potential issue in system reliability before it became a major problem. How did you detect it, and what steps did you take to prevent it?
- Explain a complex problem you faced in a previous role related to scalability. How did you approach solving it, and what was the outcome?
- Can you provide an example of an innovative solution you've implemented to improve system availability or performance?
- How do you prioritize and resolve conflicting issues when multiple critical incidents occur simultaneously?
- Share an experience where you automated a manual process to enhance system reliability or reduce downtime. What tools and technologies did you use?
- Describe a situation where you had to balance between rapid deployment and ensuring system stability. What strategies did you employ?
- In your experience, what has been the most challenging root cause analysis you have conducted, and how did you navigate through the complexities?
- Provide an example of how you used data and monitoring tools to predict and mitigate a potential system failure.
- Discuss a project where you introduced new practices or technologies to the team that significantly improved the reliability or efficiency of the system. What was the impact?
- How have you applied principles of chaos engineering in your work to test and improve system resilience? Can you give a specific example?

- Can you describe a time when you had to explain a complex technical concept to a non-technical team member? How did you ensure they understood?
- How do you handle situations where there is a disagreement within your team about the approach to solving a problem?
- Give an example of a project where you had to collaborate closely with other teams or departments. How did you ensure smooth communication and successful project completion?
- How do you manage communication during a high-pressure incident or outage to keep both technical and non-technical stakeholders informed?
- Describe a time when you received constructive criticism from a colleague. How did you respond and what steps did you take following the feedback?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to mediate a conflict within your team? What strategies did you use to resolve it?
- How do you keep your team informed of your progress on tasks and projects, especially when working remotely or across different time zones?
- Share an experience where you led a post-mortem discussion after a critical incident. How did you facilitate the conversation to ensure it was productive and inclusive?
- How do you ensure that your documentation is clear and understandable for both current team members and future team members who may refer to it?
- Describe a situation where you had to advocate for a technical solution or change that was initially met with resistance. How did you persuade your team or stakeholders to get on board?

- Can you describe a time when you managed a critical production incident? How did you allocate resources and coordinate the team's response?
- How do you prioritize tasks and projects when you have multiple high-priority incidents or requests?
- What steps do you take to ensure that project timelines are met, especially when dealing with unexpected issues?
- Describe your experience with capacity planning and managing resources to meet future demand.
- How do you manage dependencies in a complex project involving multiple teams with different priorities?
- Can you give an example of a successful project where you had to manage budget constraints effectively?
- How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration among distributed teams during a major project?
- What tools and metrics do you use to monitor project progress and resource utilization?
- Describe a situation where you had to reallocate resources or shift priorities suddenly. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
- How do you balance the immediate needs of incident resolution with long-term project and strategic goals?

- Can you describe a time when you identified a potential security or compliance risk in your system? How did you handle it?
- How do you stay updated with the latest industry standards and regulations regarding data privacy and security?
- Explain how you ensure compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR or CCPA in your day-to-day tasks.
- Describe an instance where you had to balance operational efficiency with ethical considerations in your role.
- How do you handle situations where your direct supervisor asks you to perform a task that might conflict with company policies or legal regulations?
- Can you discuss a time when you had to report an ethics or compliance issue? What steps did you take?
- What measures do you implement to ensure that your systems and applications comply with relevant laws and regulations?
- How do you approach the task of educating and ensuring that your team follows ethical guidelines and compliance standards?
- Describe your experience with conducting audits or assessments to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- How do you integrate ethical decision-making into your incident management and response processes?

- Can you describe a time when you had to rapidly learn a new technology or tool to solve a problem? How did you approach the learning process?
- How do you stay current with the latest trends and developments in SRE and related fields?
- Describe an instance where you proposed and implemented a change in your team's processes or tools. What was the result?
- How do you typically manage situations where you are required to work with unfamiliar technologies or systems?
- Can you provide an example of a project where you had to adapt to significant changes or unexpected challenges? What strategies did you use to overcome them?
- What are your strategies for continuous improvement in your technical skills and knowledge?
- How do you prioritize your professional development activities amidst the demands of your daily responsibilities?
- Describe a time when you received critical feedback about your work. How did you use this feedback to improve your performance?
- How do you assess the effectiveness of the new technologies or practices you adopt in your work?
- Can you discuss a particular event or experience that significantly influenced your approach to professional growth and learning?