Systems Engineer - IT Data Management

AutoZone Data Management team is looking for an experienced Systems Engineer to be part of a growing technology team supporting key business initiatives. This role emphasizes Python-based engineering, automation, data workflow support, and Linux/Unix system administration experience as a plus for improving automation and operational reliability, while maintaining the ability to understand and support Java/J2EE applications as needed.

As a Systems Engineer, you will support the transition, implementation, and production operation of services and applications, with a strong focus on Python development, automation scripting, ETL/data integration workflows, REST APIs, Oracle stored procedures, Infrastructure as Code practices such as Terraform, AWX-based automation where applicable, AI-enabled engineering practices, capacity planning, performance management, and a working understanding of Java/J2EE applications.

The role is expected to analyze situations and make decisions within a subsystem, apply subject matter expertise in a functional area, estimate and plan work for the assigned domain, solve technical problems with limited supervision, and communicate effectively with other teams and business groups.

• AutoZoners have a contagious work ethic; including a high sense of urgency to resolve issues quickly, creatively, and efficiently. As a Systems Engineer, you will be expected to:
• Ensure assigned sites, services, applications, and systems continuously and consistently run smoothly, efficiently, and reliably.
• Analyze technical situations and make decisions within the assigned subsystem or functional area.
• Provide solid problem solving for application issues, production support needs, defects, performance concerns, and operational risks.
• Collaborate with development teams to create, support, and continuously improve Python-based solutions while understanding Java/J2EE applications well enough to assist with planning, testing, staging, deployment, and post-release support.
• Develop and maintain features, automation scripts, ETL/data workflows, operational jobs, Infrastructure as Code routines, AWX-enabled runbooks, and self-service or self-healing processes for assigned applications and systems.
• Apply Linux/Unix administration skills to automate recurring operational tasks, support scheduled processes, review logs, validate permissions, troubleshoot server and job failures, and coordinate production stability activities with infrastructure teams.
• Identify and implement code, configuration, Infrastructure as Code, automation, and ETL improvements that improve reliability, performance, repeatability, and supportability.
• Support monitoring, alerting, and operational visibility so problems are identified and resolved quickly.

Use CI/CD, source control, JIRA, Agility, or similar tools to maintain accurate task status, support delivery tracking, and manage assigned work.

• Participate in product team scrums, refinement sessions, planning discussions, and implementation reviews.

Gather and clarify business or technical requirements for assigned work and translate them into practical engineering tasks.

• Work with business partners and other technical teams to explain issues, options, risks, and planned resolution steps in clear language.
• Manage own tasks, goals, and training/development while contributing to team delivery commitments.

Look forward 3–9 months within the assigned domain to identify upcoming dependencies, support needs, automation opportunities, ETL/data needs, or technical risks.

• Guide newer AutoZoners, interns, or less experienced team members when appropriate by sharing technical knowledge and established practices.
• Recommend tools, automation opportunities, AI-assisted practices, and engineering improvements that can help the team work more efficiently.
• Bachelor’s Degree in MIS, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field required.

Typically 4–7 years of experience in the role of a Software Engineer, Systems Engineer, Developer, or similar technical role.

• Experience designing, building, supporting, or maintaining cloud-native applications in Google Cloud, including Infrastructure as Code or Terraform-managed environments where applicable, is preferred.
• Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer certification preferred; Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer or Professional Machine Learning Engineer certification is a plus for roles with data, ETL, automation, or AI responsibilities.
• Strong software development background in Python, with the ability to understand, troubleshoot, and support Java/J2EE technologies.
• Experience developing Python-based services, scripts, or data workflows; familiarity with Java/J2EE, Spring Boot, REST APIs, Oracle stored procedures, and application support or enhancement work.
• Linux/Unix system administration experience is a plus, particularly hands-on knowledge of shell scripting, file permissions, process management, cron or enterprise job scheduling, log analysis, troubleshooting, and production server support to enable automation and improve operational reliability.
• Proficiency with CI/CD pipelines, version control systems, build/deployment practices, Infrastructure as Code practices such as Terraform, AWX automation, and release support activities.
• Experience with messaging brokers such as Kafka, ActiveMQ, or RabbitMQ.
• Experience with automation scripting, job scheduling, workflow automation, repeatable operational runbooks, Infrastructure as Code concepts, Terraform, or AWX is preferred.
• Experience with ETL, data integration, or data pipeline support using tools or platforms such as BigQuery, Dataflow, Cloud Composer, Python, SQL, or similar technologies.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled development or operational practices, including AI-assisted coding, prompt-based analysis, model integration, or AI/ML pipeline concepts.
• Experience with NoSQL databases, cloud-native application patterns, Couchbase, BigQuery, PHP, Python, Cloud Run, or GKE is a plus.
• Experience with merchandising systems, especially Space Planning or Assortment Planning, is a plus.
• Ability to work independently with little to no supervision while managing own tasks, goals, training, and development.
• Ability to communicate effectively with other engineering teams, support teams, and business groups.
• Ability to estimate, plan, and execute assigned work within the engineer’s technical domain.
• Ability to guide newer AutoZoners and/or interns when appropriate, without formal team lead expectations.