Kubernetes Architect

Primary Responsibilities

• Architect, build and manage end-to-end prototype lifecycle, from conceptual design and lab setup to software configuration, troubleshooting, and final documentation.
• Identifies material requirements (hardware, software, supplemental staffing, etc.).
• Ensures finalized thin-line prototypes are validated by the Solution Architect and Engineering Leads.
• Serve as a Kubernetes Subject Matter Expert (SME) providing architectural guidance, technical leadership and best practices to engineering teams.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity, infrastructure, networking and development teams to ensure secure and compliant platform operations.

Required Qualifications

• BS degree and 12 – 15 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 10 – 13 years of prior relevant experience.
• May possess a Doctorate in technical domain.
• Active Secret security clearance, with ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
• Must be able and willing and travel 10% of the time.
• Deep expertise with enterprise Kubernetes distributions such as RKE2 or similar production-grade platforms.
• Hands-on experience with Kubernetes architecture, including control plane components, worker node design, scheduling, networking, storage and security.
• Strong understanding of DevSecOps methodologies, CI/CD pipelines, automation frameworks and container security best practices.
• Strong troubleshooting, performance optimization and platform reliability engineering skills.
• Experience deploying Kubernetes on-prem, preferably Harvester.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Curious self-starter that can excel in a prototyping environment to turn customer desire into executable solution candidates.
• Must be able to consider cost, schedule, technology, and risks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Rancher, Helm, ArgoCD, GitOps workflows, Istio or service mesh technologies, Prometheus/Grafana.
• Familiar with Zero Trust Architecture.
• Experience designing, implementing and support Kubernetes in DDIL environments.