H+K Strategies

Lead Support Engineer

H+K Strategies • $75K — $180K *
Technical Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Advanced education in computer science, software engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Proficient in Python, with capability to debug and implement fixes in shared production code.
  • Hands-on experience with enterprise systems on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
  • Proven experience in complex production troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
  • Strong skills with Docker and Kubernetes for application management on GCP.
  • High proficiency in GCP monitoring tools and setting service level objectives.
  • Experience with Terraform for infrastructure as code.

Responsibilities

  • Own production stability and observability for a global compliance platform on GCP.
  • Diagnose and resolve high-priority incidents across multiple system layers.
  • Implement minor code fixes in the Python production codebase.
  • Define and advance the observability strategy using GCP tools.
  • Lead incident response, reviews, and root cause analysis efforts.
  • Monitor system operations and ensure reliable performance across the environment.
  • Automate manual support activities and maintain operational runbooks.
  • Provide technical leadership to the support squad and facilitate knowledge sharing.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance.
  • Group retirement plans.
  • Significant paid time off and preferential partner discounts.
  • Employee mental health awareness days and a commitment to personal growth.
  • Open and inclusive work environment fostering professional connections.
Full Job Description
Role Summary and Impact

This role is within WPP Media, where you will be instrumental in owning production stability, observability, and system health for a mission-critical global campaign governance and compliance platform. As Lead Support Engineer, you will provide advanced L2+ and L3-oriented support for a system running natively on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). You will investigate complex production issues, implement minor code-level fixes in Python, lead root cause analysis, and improve the reliability of distributed systems. Working closely with the EMEA-based Engineering Tech Lead, Product Owner, and Quality Assurance partners, you will connect production insights with technical roadmap priorities.

The opportunity combines hands-on Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) with technical squad leadership. A foundational monitoring and alerting setup is already in place, giving you the platform to evaluate the current approach, define a clear observability direction, and strengthen system health monitoring across the environment. You will automate runbooks, reduce manual operational effort, and help shape the future support squad for a dedicated product used across global advertising campaigns.

Key Responsibilities
  • Own production stability, system health, and observability for a mission-critical campaign governance and compliance platform running on GCP.
  • Diagnose and resolve complex, intermittent, and high-priority incidents across application, database, infrastructure, and networking layers.
  • Read, debug, and implement minor fixes and patches directly within the existing Python production codebase.
  • Define and advance the observability strategy using GCP Cloud Logging, Cloud Monitoring, Error Reporting, Prometheus, PromQL, and suitable service level indicators and objectives.
  • Lead incident response, post-incident reviews, and end-to-end root cause analysis, partnering with the EMEA Engineering team on permanent remediation.
  • Monitor execution flows, performance, data refreshes, automated checks, and recurring compliance reporting to ensure reliable system operation.
  • Identify opportunities to automate manual support activity, develop and maintain runbooks, and reduce operational toil.
  • Provide technical leadership to the L2+ support squad through coaching, knowledge sharing, prioritization, and effective handovers.
  • Partner with Product, Engineering, and Quality Assurance teams to assess operational risk, improve release and change management, and influence technical roadmap decisions.

Skills and Experience
  • Advanced education in computer science, software engineering, information technology, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Strong, current Python proficiency, including the ability to read, debug, and implement fixes directly within a shared production codebase.
  • Deep, hands-on experience supporting enterprise systems on Google Cloud Platform, including Compute Engine, Google Kubernetes Engine, Cloud SQL, BigQuery, Pub/Sub, Firestore, Cloud Functions, Identity and Access Management, and virtual private cloud networking.
  • Complex production troubleshooting and root cause analysis experience across distributed systems, including leadership of post-incident reviews.
  • Strong experience with Docker and Kubernetes, particularly deploying, managing, and troubleshooting applications running in Google Kubernetes Engine.
  • High proficiency with GCP Cloud Logging, Cloud Monitoring, Error Reporting, Prometheus, and PromQL, including establishing service level indicators and service level objectives.
  • Experience using Terraform for infrastructure as code, tracing infrastructure-level issues, and identifying improvements to infrastructure management.
  • Strong Python and Bash scripting skills for automating support tasks, parsing logs, developing operational tools, and reducing manual effort.
  • Solid querying and troubleshooting experience across Firestore, BigQuery, PostgreSQL, and MySQL.
  • Experience leading, mentoring, or serving as a technical lead for a squad or technical team, along with strong knowledge of Incident, Problem, and Change Management practices and the software development lifecycle.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.

We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, go to https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome for more details.

US Pay Range

$75,000-$180,000 USD

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About H+K Strategies

H+K Strategies is a global public relations company that specializes in corporate communications, public affairs, and crisis management. The company was founded in 1927 and has since grown to have over 2900 employees in more than 80 offices around the world. H+K Strategies has worked with a variety of clients, including major corporations, governments, and non-profit organizations. The company is known for its strategic approach to public relations and its ability to help clients navigate complex issues and crises.
Learn more about H+K Strategies
Size
2,900 employees
Industry

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