What is a Software Engineer at American Fidelity Assurance?

At American Fidelity Assurance (AFA), the role of a Software Engineer—often aligned with titles like Tech Infrastructure Engineer or Platform Engineer—is fundamental to the stability and modernization of our enterprise ecosystem. Unlike a traditional product-focused software role, engineers here act as the architects and guardians of the technical infrastructure that supports critical business applications, from incentive compensation management (ICM) to secure cloud platforms.

You will step into a complex, heterogeneous environment where modern cloud architecture (AWS) intersects with established enterprise systems (Windows Server, Linux, IBM Z/OS). Your impact is measured by the reliability, security, and performance of these systems. You are not just writing code; you are designing high-availability solutions, automating infrastructure, and ensuring that our internal teams and external customers experience seamless service delivery.

This position offers a unique vantage point within the organization. You will work cross-functionally with Information Systems Division (ISD) teams and business stakeholders to translate strategic business needs into technical realities. Whether you are migrating legacy applications to the cloud or optimizing the Varicent ICM platform, your work directly influences how American Fidelity operates, scales, and serves its policyholders.

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparing for an interview at American Fidelity Assurance requires a shift in mindset from pure algorithmic coding to systems thinking and operational excellence. We are looking for engineers who understand the "big picture" of how hardware, software, networking, and security integrate.

Technical Versatility We evaluate your ability to navigate a diverse tech stack. You should be comfortable discussing modern cloud services (AWS) in the same breath as on-premise infrastructure (VMware, Windows Server). Strength here means showing you can modernize legacy systems without breaking existing business logic.

Operational Reliability & Security Given the nature of the insurance industry, stability and compliance are non-negotiable. Interviewers will assess your approach to Disaster Recovery (DR), system hardening, and high-availability design. You must demonstrate that you build systems that are secure by design and resilient against failure.

Problem-Solving in Complex Environments You will face questions about troubleshooting distributed applications and resolving "technical debt." We value candidates who can diagnose issues across the stack—from database performance to network connectivity—and propose long-term architectural fixes rather than temporary patches.

Collaborative Leadership Because this role involves significant stakeholder interaction, we evaluate your "soft skills" rigorously. You must demonstrate the ability to consult with business units, explain technical trade-offs to non-technical partners, and lead architectural assessments for new technology proposals.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at American Fidelity Assurance is designed to assess both your technical depth and your cultural alignment with our family-oriented, stability-focused environment. Expect a process that is thorough but respectful of your time, typically spanning several weeks.

It generally begins with a Recruiter Screen, focusing on your background, interest in the insurance domain, and high-level technical fit. This is followed by a Hiring Manager Screen, where you will discuss your experience with specific infrastructure or platform tools (such as AWS, Varicent, or Enterprise Servers). The core of the process is the Technical Panel, which often involves deep dives into system administration, architecture design, and scenario-based troubleshooting. You may also encounter questions regarding project management methodologies like Agile or Waterfall.

Throughout these rounds, the team is looking for consistency. They want to see that you can handle the rigor of a regulated industry while bringing fresh ideas for modernization. The atmosphere is professional yet collaborative; interviewers want to see how you think through problems, not just if you have memorized syntax.

This timeline illustrates the typical progression from initial contact to final offer. Use this to pace your preparation: ensure your high-level stories are ready for the initial screens, while reserving your deep technical review of AWS services and system administration for the panel stages.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

To succeed, you must demonstrate proficiency in the specific domains relevant to our infrastructure and platform needs. We rely on a mix of modern and legacy technologies, and your ability to bridge these worlds is key.

Cloud & Infrastructure Architecture

This is a primary focus for Tech Infrastructure Engineer roles. You must demonstrate expertise in designing secure, scalable environments.

• AWS Services: Be ready to discuss compute (EC2, Lambda), storage (S3, EBS), and networking (VPC, Route53).
• Hybrid Cloud: Understanding how to connect on-premise data centers with public cloud resources.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Concepts around automating deployment and configuration.
• Example scenario: "How would you architect a disaster recovery solution for a critical business application hosted on AWS?"

Platform Engineering (ICM & Database)

For Platform Engineer roles, the focus shifts to application support and data integrity, specifically regarding Varicent ICM.

• Database Management: SQL proficiency, performance tuning, and data modeling.
• Platform Configuration: Experience configuring and maintaining enterprise software platforms.
• Technical Debt: Strategies for identifying and refactoring legacy configurations to improve performance.
• Example question: "Describe a time you identified a performance bottleneck in a platform system. How did you diagnose and resolve it?"

Enterprise Systems Administration

Given our established history, we value strong knowledge of core enterprise IT systems.

• OS Management: Deep knowledge of Windows Server (2012/2016+), Linux, and familiarity with IBM Z/OS.
• Collaboration Tools: Administration of SharePoint, OnBase, and Microsoft Exchange/Messaging systems.
• Virtualization: Experience with VMware and managing heterogeneous computing environments.
• Example scenario: "How do you approach patching a fleet of servers that support 24/7 critical business operations?"

Key Responsibilities

As a Software Engineer at American Fidelity, your day-to-day work is a blend of strategic planning and hands-on execution. You are responsible for the development and deployment of secure cloud platforms and services. This involves working with "Tech Infrastructure" disciplines to establish architectural standards that support key business processes. You will perform architectural assessments for new technology proposals, ensuring they integrate well with existing legacy systems.

Collaboration is a massive part of the role. You will work closely with the Information Systems Division (ISD) and business units to identify and select technology solutions. This includes everything from defining system requirements to leading the evaluation of alternative technical solutions. You are expected to act as a bridge—translating complex technical requirements into business value.

On the operational side, you are the backbone of reliability. You will oversee configuration design to ensure performance and sustainability while strictly complying with security standards and IT governance. This includes tracking metrics, monitoring event management, and responding to incidents. Whether it is troubleshooting a complex issue within the Varicent ICM platform or deploying a disaster recovery solution, you are proactive in identifying areas for improvement and reducing technical debt.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

We are looking for candidates who possess a robust technical foundation and the professional maturity to manage enterprise-grade systems.

Must-Have Skills

• Core Infrastructure: 5+ years of experience in designing and managing heterogeneous environments (Windows Server, Linux).
• Cloud Proficiency: Demonstrated experience with AWS architecture and services.
• Networking & Security: Solid understanding of general networking (TCP/IP, DNS, VPN) and security protocols.
• Database Skills: Proficiency in SQL and database management systems.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field is typically required.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Specialized Platforms: Knowledge of Varicent ICM (Incentive Compensation Management), OnBase, or SharePoint.
• Legacy Systems: Exposure to IBM Z/OS or mainframe operating systems.
• Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), AWS Certified Solutions Architect, or VMware Certified Professional.
• DevOps Tools: Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automation scripting.

Common Interview Questions

The following questions are representative of what you might face. They are drawn from the specific technical demands of our open roles. Expect a mix of behavioral questions regarding project management and deep technical inquiries into infrastructure and platforms.

Technical & Infrastructure

• How do you approach migrating a legacy on-premise application to AWS while ensuring minimal downtime?
• Explain the difference between a high-availability architecture and a disaster recovery plan. How have you implemented these in the past?
• Walk us through your process for troubleshooting a server that has become unresponsive.
• How do you manage security compliance when configuring new infrastructure?
• Describe your experience with Varicent ICM or similar compensation management platforms.

Behavioral & Situational

• Tell me about a time you had to recommend a technical solution that was different from what the stakeholders originally wanted.
• Describe a complex technical problem you solved where you had to collaborate with a non-technical team.
• How do you prioritize technical debt against new feature requests?
• Give an example of a time you introduced a new technology or process to your team. How did you handle the change management?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much focus is there on legacy systems versus modern cloud tech? It is a balance. While we are aggressively modernizing with AWS, American Fidelity has a long history, meaning you will interact with legacy systems like IBM Z/OS and Windows Server. Successful candidates respect the legacy while building the future.

Q: Is this a remote role? Most of our engineering roles are based in Oklahoma City, OK. We value the collaboration that happens in person, though hybrid arrangements may be discussed depending on the specific team and role requirements.

Q: What is the culture like in the engineering team? We operate with a "family-first" mentality that emphasizes work-life balance and stability. However, the technical environment is rigorous. We follow IT governance strictly and value methodical, well-documented engineering practices over "move fast and break things."

Q: Do I need insurance industry experience? No, it is not mandatory, but it is a plus. Understanding the regulatory and compliance requirements of the financial/insurance sector will help you hit the ground running.

Other General Tips

Know the "Why" Behind Your Architecture When discussing system design, always justify your choices. Don't just say you used AWS Lambda; explain why serverless was the right choice for that specific business problem regarding cost, scale, or maintenance.

Don't Ignore the "Enterprise" Skills Many candidates focus solely on coding. At AFA, skills like Active Directory management, Exchange, and SharePoint are still highly relevant. Showing respect and knowledge for these foundational enterprise tools sets you apart.

Highlight Security First In every technical answer—whether it's about databases or cloud—weave in security. Mention encryption, IAM roles, and compliance. This shows you understand the stakes of working at an insurance company.

Be Honest About What You Don't Know Our tech stack is incredibly broad (Mainframe to Cloud). No one knows everything. If asked about a specific legacy technology you haven't used, admit it, but explain how your foundational knowledge allows you to learn it quickly.

Summary & Next Steps

Becoming a Software Engineer at American Fidelity Assurance means joining a team that values stability, integrity, and technical excellence. You will play a pivotal role in maintaining the digital infrastructure that protects our customers' futures. This is a place where your expertise in AWS, platform engineering, and system administration will have a tangible impact on the business every single day.

To succeed, focus your preparation on the intersection of modern cloud architecture and enterprise reliability. Review your fundamentals in networking and security, and be ready to share stories of how you have solved complex infrastructure challenges. We are looking for builders who are as thoughtful about people and processes as they are about code.

The compensation for this role reflects the high level of technical expertise required. In addition to base salary, American Fidelity is known for its strong benefits package and stability, which are key components of the total rewards offer. Review this data to understand the market positioning for this level of engineering role.

Check Dataford for more insights and resources to help you prepare. We look forward to seeing the unique value you can bring to our team. Good luck!