Zeta is Hiring Data Reliability Engineer | Finsplitz

Introduction

Are you passionate about building and maintaining highly available, scalable, and secure data systems? Zeta, a next-gen banking tech company revolutionizing financial services, is actively seeking Data Reliability Engineers for its teams in India, primarily in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. At Zeta, data is at the core of their innovative banking and fintech platforms, powering everything from issuance and processing to lending and fraud detection. As a Data Reliability Engineer, you’ll be instrumental in ensuring the robustness, performance, and integrity of critical cloud-based data infrastructure, enabling seamless operations for banks and fintechs globally. This role is ideal for engineers who thrive on ensuring data systems are always available, performant, and reliable in a high-growth, fast-paced environment.

Roles and Responsibilities

A Data Reliability Engineer (DRE) at Zeta combines principles of Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) with deep expertise in database management and data infrastructure. Their primary focus is on the availability, performance, and reliability of data systems, which are crucial for Zeta’s financial technology platforms.

Key responsibilities for a Data Reliability Engineer at Zeta typically include:

• Database Management & Operations:
  • Assisting in the deployment, configuration, and ongoing management of cloud-based database systems, primarily PostgreSQL on Amazon RDS.
  • Ensuring the health, performance, and availability of production databases.
  • Configuring and managing database backup and recovery strategies to ensure data integrity and availability in case of failures or data loss.
• Monitoring & Alerting:
  • Setting up and configuring robust monitoring and alerting tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana) to proactively detect and diagnose database-related issues.
  • Responding promptly to alerts and incidents, working to minimize downtime and performance degradation.
• Automation & Infrastructure as Code (IaC):
  • Developing and maintaining automation scripts (e.g., using Python, PowerShell, Shell) to automate routine database tasks, deployments, and updates.
  • Utilizing Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform for provisioning and managing cloud database resources.
• Performance Optimization:
  • Analyzing database query performance and collaborating closely with software developers to optimize SQL queries, database schemas, and indexing strategies.
  • Identifying bottlenecks and performance issues within data pipelines and implementing solutions.
• Incident Response & Root Cause Analysis:
  • Participating in on-call rotations to respond to database-related incidents.
  • Performing thorough troubleshooting and root cause analysis (RCA) for data system failures to prevent recurrence.
• Security & Compliance:
  • Assisting in implementing and maintaining stringent security best practices for cloud databases, including access controls, encryption, and compliance with regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS).
  • Regularly auditing and assessing database security configurations.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Actively participating in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the reliability, scalability, and performance of Zeta’s data platforms.
  • Collaborating with other SRE, Data Engineering, and Development teams to drive platform hardening and robustness.

DREs are expected to have a strong blend of database administration, cloud infrastructure, and automation skills, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Salary and Benefits

Zeta offers a highly competitive compensation package for Data Reliability Engineers in India, reflecting its position as a high-growth fintech company. The total compensation typically includes base salary, stock options, and performance-based bonuses.

• Average Annual CTC (Cost to Company):
  • For Data Reliability Engineer I / II roles (typically 1-5 years of experience), the average annual CTC at Zeta in India can range from ₹15 lakhs to ₹30 lakhs per annum.
  • Specific data for Site Reliability Engineers (a closely related role) at Zeta in India on platforms like Levels.fyi shows total compensation ranging from $21K USD (approx. ₹17.5 lakhs INR) for L1 (Entry Level) up to $77.4K USD (approx. ₹64.5 lakhs INR) for L4, with median total compensation for SRE at around ₹25-40 lakhs per annum.
  • The highest reported total compensation for an SRE at Zeta in India is over ₹50 lakhs per annum, including base, stock, and bonus.
  • Salaries vary based on experience level, specific technical expertise, interview performance, and location (Hyderabad vs. Bengaluru).
• Comprehensive Benefits and Perks: Zeta is committed to creating a rewarding environment for its employees.
  • Competitive Compensation: Robust base salaries, along with stock options (ESOPs) which vest over a typical 4-year schedule (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% annually) and performance-linked bonuses. This structure aligns employee success with company growth.
  • Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance coverage, wellness programs, and a focus on employee well-being.
  • Learning & Development: Significant emphasis on continuous learning and growth (“People Must Grow” is a core philosophy). This includes access to learning resources, internal knowledge sharing, and opportunities to work with cutting-edge technologies.
  • Work Environment & Culture: A dynamic, fast-paced, and highly innovative work culture that encourages pushing boundaries, continuous learning, and ownership. Employees get to work with some of the best minds in the industry.
  • Growth Opportunities: Clear career progression pathways within the Global SRE and Engineering teams, allowing Data Reliability Engineers to grow into Senior DRE, Lead DRE, Manager/Lead Data Reliability Engineering, and other specialized roles.
  • Cutting-edge Tech Stack: Opportunity to work with modern cloud-native architecture, advanced database technologies, and robust automation tools.

Eligibility Criteria

Zeta seeks Data Reliability Engineers who possess a strong technical foundation, a problem-solving mindset, and a proactive approach to ensuring system reliability.

• Educational Qualification:
  • Bachelor’s degree (or Master’s degree preferred for higher levels) in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• Experience:
  • 1-5 years of relevant experience in database administration, SRE, DevOps, or a similar role with a strong focus on data systems.
  • Fresh graduates with exceptional academic records, strong projects in database management/cloud, and relevant internships may be considered for entry-level “Engineer I” roles.
• Key Technical Skills (Essential & Desirable):
  • Database Management: Proficiency in managing and administering PostgreSQL database systems is often a primary requirement, especially in cloud environments like Amazon RDS.
  • SQL: Strong SQL skills for writing complex queries, optimizing existing queries, and understanding database schemas.
  • Cloud Platforms: Experience with AWS is highly preferred, including services relevant to databases (RDS, EC2, S3, CloudWatch, etc.). Knowledge of other cloud platforms (Azure, GCP) is a plus.
  • Monitoring & Observability: Hands-on experience with monitoring and observability tools for database systems (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack).
  • Scripting & Automation: Ability to write scripts for automation and operational tasks using languages like Python, Shell scripting, or PowerShell.
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Knowledge and experience with IaC tools like Terraform for managing cloud resources.
  • Operating Systems: Strong understanding of Linux operating systems, including networking, CPU, memory, and storage concepts.
  • Database Security: Knowledge of database security best practices, including access controls, encryption, and compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
  • Troubleshooting: Proven ability to troubleshoot complex database and system issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement effective solutions.
  • Networking Fundamentals: Basic understanding of networking concepts and protocols.
  • Certifications: AWS Certified Database – Specialty certification or other relevant cloud/database certifications are a significant plus.
• Key Soft Skills:
  • Problem-Solving: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a methodical approach to complex system challenges.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail for ensuring data integrity and system stability.
  • Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to articulate technical issues, collaborate with development teams, and document processes.
  • Collaboration: Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment, coordinating with developers, product managers, and other SREs.
  • Proactive Mindset: A proactive approach to identifying potential issues before they impact production.
  • On-Call Availability: Willingness to participate in on-call rotations to support 24/7 operations.

Application Process

The application process for Data Reliability Engineer roles at Zeta is rigorous, designed to assess both technical depth and a candidate’s alignment with their high-performance culture. It typically involves several stages.

1. Online Application:
   • Candidates apply through Zeta’s official careers website (careers.zeta.tech) or professional networking sites like LinkedIn.
   • Submit a detailed resume highlighting relevant experience, technical skills, projects, and educational background.
2. Resume Screening:
   • HR and the hiring team review applications to shortlist candidates whose profiles best match the role requirements.
3. Online Assessment / Coding Round (Potential):
   • For some roles, an online coding test might be administered to assess problem-solving skills, data structures, and algorithms, similar to general software engineering roles.
   • It might also include multiple-choice questions on database concepts or cloud fundamentals.

Interview Process

Candidates who clear the initial screening and assessments proceed to multiple rounds of technical and behavioral interviews. Zeta’s interviews are known for their depth, focusing on practical skills and system design. Typically, there are 3-5 rounds.

• Round 1: Technical Screening / DSA Round (60-90 minutes)
  • Focus: This round usually assesses fundamental data structures and algorithms (DSA) and potentially basic SQL/Linux commands. It might be a coding challenge on a platform or a live coding session.
  • Questions: Expect medium to hard level DSA problems. Potentially basic SQL queries (joins, aggregations) and Linux command-line questions.
• Round 2: Database & SRE Technical Deep Dive (60-90 minutes)
  • Focus: This is a core technical round focusing on database administration, cloud services (AWS), monitoring, automation, and incident management.
  • Questions:
    • PostgreSQL/Database: Deep questions on PostgreSQL architecture, replication, backup/restore, performance tuning, indexing, common database issues and their resolution.
    • SQL: Complex SQL query writing, optimization techniques, understanding query execution plans.
    • AWS: Questions on RDS, EC2, VPC, CloudWatch, IAM, S3, and other relevant AWS services for data.
    • SRE Concepts: SLOs, SLIs, error budgets, incident response, post-mortems, on-call best practices.
    • Monitoring: Experience with Prometheus, Grafana, alerting strategies.
    • Automation: Discussing automation scripts you’ve written, use of Terraform for IaC.
    • Troubleshooting: Scenario-based questions on diagnosing and resolving database performance or availability issues.
• Round 3: System Design / Data System Reliability Design (60-90 minutes)
  • Focus: This round assesses your ability to design robust, scalable, and reliable data systems. It might involve designing a data pipeline, a high-availability database setup, or a monitoring system for a critical data service.
  • Questions: “Design a highly available and scalable PostgreSQL cluster for a banking application,” “How would you ensure data consistency across multiple regions?”, “Design a monitoring system for our core banking platform’s data layer.” Discuss tradeoffs (consistency vs. availability, performance vs. cost).
• Round 4: Bar Raiser / Leadership / Hiring Manager Round (45-60 minutes)
  • Focus: This round is typically conducted by a senior engineer or a hiring manager from a related team. It evaluates your problem-solving approach, leadership potential, cultural fit, and behavioral aspects using the STAR method.
  • Questions: “Tell me about a challenging data incident you handled and how you resolved it,” “Describe a time you had to make a critical decision under pressure,” “How do you stay updated with new technologies?”, “Why Zeta?”, “What are your aspirations?”
• Round 5: HR Discussion (30 minutes)
  • Focus: Discuss compensation, benefits, cultural fit, team dynamics, and answer any questions you may have.

Preparation Tips:

• Master SQL: Be proficient in advanced SQL concepts, query optimization, and problem-solving with SQL.
• Deep Dive into PostgreSQL: Understand its architecture, replication, backup/recovery, and performance tuning strategies.
• Strong AWS Knowledge: Focus on AWS services relevant to databases and infrastructure (RDS, EC2, S3, CloudWatch, IAM, VPC).
• Scripting & Automation: Practice scripting with Python or Shell and understand how to automate operational tasks. Familiarity with Terraform is a big plus.
• SRE Principles: Understand core SRE concepts like SLOs, SLIs, error budgets, incident management, and post-mortems.
• System Design: Practice designing scalable and reliable distributed data systems, focusing on fault tolerance, consistency, and monitoring.
• Behavioral Questions: Prepare examples using the STAR method for questions related to teamwork, problem-solving under pressure, learning from mistakes, and handling conflicts.
• Research Zeta: Understand Zeta’s products (Tachyon, Omni Stack), its mission in banking tech, and its work culture.
• Communication: Clearly articulate your thoughts and solutions. Ask clarifying questions during problem-solving.

Conclusion

A Data Reliability Engineer role at Zeta offers an exciting and challenging opportunity to be at the forefront of building resilient and high-performing data infrastructure for the future of banking. If you possess a strong blend of technical expertise in databases, cloud, and automation, coupled with a passion for ensuring data integrity and availability, Zeta provides an unparalleled platform for growth, innovation, and impact within the thriving fintech landscape.