On this episode of UMBC Mic’d Up, we sit down with Saurabh Phaltane, a systems engineer at Google, to explore what it really takes to keep the world’s most-used search engine running.
This conversation offers real-world insights and practical advice for anyone exploring a career in systems engineering, especially as AI reshapes the field.
Watch the full episode on YouTube
Getting to Know Saurabh Phaltane
Dennise Cardona:
Before we get into the nitty gritty, can you tell us a bit about your role at Google?
Saurabh: Phaltane
I work in the SRE (Site Reliability Engineering) organization within Google Search. Our team manages and maintains the core infrastructure for Google Search. My focus is on performance improvement, infrastructure optimization, and building automation tools to ensure reliable and secure access for millions of users. We’re also helping enable the rollout of exciting new AI experiences.
What Is Systems Engineering?
Dennise:
For those unfamiliar with systems engineering, how would you define it—and why is it so essential in today’s tech landscape?
Saurabh:
To me, systems engineering is a multidisciplinary approach to designing systems with the user’s needs at the center. It involves everything from understanding application requirements to building secure, scalable, and reliable networks. The field has evolved rapidly—from mainframes to cloud to today’s AI-powered technologies. Now, systems engineers need to keep up with eExplore systems engineering at Google and how AI is shaping the future of tech careers.ver-changing requirements, faster data transmission, and new security concerns.
A Growing Field Full of Opportunity
Dennise:
It sounds incredibly complex, but also exciting. Would you say this is a great time to enter the field?
Saurabh:
Absolutely. It’s an ever-evolving field with a strong demand for talent. The core technologies—like Linux, networking, and security—haven’t gone away; they’ve just evolved. Engineers who stay up to date with current trends and tech will always find opportunities.
What’s Driving the Demand for Systems Engineers?
Dennise: Why should folks pay attention to this field?
Saurabh:
In the past, product features were the selling point. Today, reliability and resilience are critical. It’s easy to build a feature, but hard to keep it up and running securely for millions. That’s where systems engineers come in. Products fail without robust, scalable infrastructure—even if the features are great.
A Day in the Life as a Systems Engineer at Google
Dennise:
Can you walk us through a typical day as a systems engineer at Google?
Saurabh:
Every day is different. As an SRE, I wear many hats—monitoring, automating, responding to incidents, and coordinating with developers and product managers. Our focus is making sure Google Search stays reliable. We prepare for everything from global elections to viral events that cause traffic spikes. And when things go wrong, we have a solid incident response process to keep the user experience smooth.
How AI Is Changing Systems Engineering
Dennise:
Let’s talk about AI. How is it transforming the field?
Saurabh:
AI is reshaping everything—from intelligent monitoring to smarter alerting and triage. We’re seeing AI agents take on repetitive tasks, freeing us to focus on higher-level challenges. With tools evolving daily, systems need to be reimagined for cost-efficiency and performance. AI helps us optimize infrastructure and squeeze the most out of every resource.
Advice for Aspiring Systems Engineers
Dennise:
What advice would you give to students considering UMBC’s graduate program in systems engineering?
Saurabh:
Stick with the basics—operating systems, networking, and core CS principles—but also stay up to date. Attend meetups, follow industry leaders, watch talks from conferences like SREcon and QCon. Systems engineering is a vast field, so explore, then narrow your focus over time. Keep learning and evolving—that’s how you build a successful career.
Dennise:
This was such a fascinating conversation! Thank you, Saurabh, for sharing your insights and giving us a peek into the world of a systems engineer at Google.
Final Thoughts: A Glimpse Into the Future of Tech
As technology continues to evolve at lightning speed, systems engineering remains a critical pillar in keeping our digital world running smoothly. Saurabh’s insights highlight not just the complexity of the work, but also the incredible opportunity it offers for those ready to dive in. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to shift your career path, there’s never been a more exciting time to explore systems engineering.