One of the many perks you can enjoy when working as a systems engineer nowadays is the luxury of working from the comforts of your home, be it 100% remote or on a hybrid setup. However, as exciting as the benefits are for most—think less commute time and fewer food expenses, to name a few, this can be a bit challenging for parents who are still raising kids. Both your work and your kids demand different times and attention, after all.
That’s not the case for Santiago Rivera, Yellow Tail Tech’s Lead Infrastructure Engineer, Instructor, and a father of three, because he has already learned to get the best of both these worlds. “It’s not perfect,” as he puts it, “there will always be things that you’ll want to change, but I fully enjoy it.”
His children are Emily, Juan, and Diego. Emily, the eldest, is a 17-year-old who already lives on her own in New York. Juan, the middle child, is 14, and Santiago describes him as someone who’s calm and delicate. Diego, his youngest, is 10 and the most energetic among them. They all call him “Daddy” or “Papi.”
Read along as Santiago walks us through what his usual day looks like, how he manages to raise kids and fulfill his work duties simultaneously, and his advice to parents who want to break into IT!
Santiago’s Typical Day at Work
Santiago works from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, in a hybrid role, three days on-site, two at home. In addition, he teaches application software and systems engineering process concepts at Yellow Tail Tech twice a week.
He starts his mornings early, making time to drive his sons to school. “It’s our bonding time,” he says. “It helps set a positive tone for the day.”
If he’s working from the office, he leaves at 8:25 AM. Otherwise, by 9 AM, he’s reviewing Slack messages and emails and using project management tools to prioritize his technical effort. His dual-monitor computer systems, both at home and work, allow him to manage multiple system components simultaneously.
At 9:30 AM, he monitors Yellow Tail Tech’s physical infrastructure—our Maryland-based existing systems. Many students use these for hands-on training, so Santiago performs engineering analysis to delete unnecessary files and ensure smooth operations.
From 10 to 11 AM, Santiago shifts his focus to the Cloud, where he manages data architecture, cost controls, and resource usage—skills rooted in systems thinking and optimization methods. “If students aren’t using certain cloud resources, I terminate them to keep costs down,” he explains.
By 11 AM, he’s reviewing technical issues logged in our Linux classes, providing feedback, and sometimes conducting mock interviews to prepare students for entry-level roles in the information technology field.
Lunch from 12 PM to 1 PM is a non-negotiable family moment. Whether working remotely or in the office, Santiago ensures he eats with his wife and kids. “Spending time with them is critical, it helps me reset.”
After lunch, daily meetings and mock interviews may fill his 1 PM hour. From 2 PM to 5 PM, Santiago focuses on systems development processes, including managing requirements analysis, optimizing system architecture, and organizing Linux support tickets.
When Systems Engineering Meets Parenting
Working from home has its ups and downs.
“My favorite part? When my kids sneak up behind me to watch me work. They ask questions about operating systems and system design, they’re genuinely curious,” Santiago shares. “I think one of them might pursue computer engineering or mechanical engineering one day.”
But not every moment is easy. “Sometimes I’m teaching in the evening, and the kids want to watch a movie or play video games, which is how we connect. I have to say no. Sometimes they get it, sometimes they don’t.”
Santiago credits his wife for helping him maintain balance. “She reminds me that continuous improvement in tech is great, but being present matters. She’ll say, ‘Enough studying new technology, come take a walk with us.’”
His learning doesn’t stop after work. As a certified systems engineering professional, he continues to sharpen his technical skills, often in the evenings, exploring reliability engineering, risk management, and new engineering disciplines relevant to health care, industrial engineering, and beyond.
Advice for Parents in Tech
Santiago is passionate about helping students evaluate existing systems, develop problem-solving abilities, and build real-world experience. “I love seeing people break into tech. It’s fulfilling to help them grow.”
For parents eyeing a career as entry-level systems engineers, his advice is clear: “You’ll miss some things, but you can still thrive. Stick to a schedule. Prioritize. Be present when you can. And yes, listen to your wife,” he laughs. “I make sure to spend 3–4 hours each day with my family. The small moments, they matter.”
Your Next Step: Be a Parent and a Tech Professional
If you’re a parent looking to enter the engineering field, grow your technical background, or reskill into computer science, Yellow Tail Tech is here to help. Our programs in Linux and AWS are designed for people with little-to-no experience in software engineering or information systems, and will prepare you for entry-level roles in a matter of months.
Whether you’re curious about Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer paths, certified systems credentials, or just need a clearer systems engineer job description, we’re here to help you meet both your business needs and your family goals.
Book a 10-minute intro call with our Enrollment Advisor today—and start your journey toward a future where you can solve problems, support your loved ones, and grow in one of tech’s most exciting and stable career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a typical workday look like for Santiago Rivera?
Santiago works in a hybrid setup, balancing systems engineering tasks, teaching, and family time from 9 AM to 5 PM. - How does Santiago balance parenting with working in tech?
He sticks to a schedule, shares lunch with his family daily, and sets aside 3–4 hours each day for quality time. - What challenges does Santiago face as a working parent in IT?
Balancing evening teaching with family activities can be tough, but clear priorities and family support help. - What advice does Santiago give to parents starting a tech career?
Stick to a routine, be present when you can, prioritize learning—and always make time for your family.
