Technical Architect - Kubernetes

<strong>Job Requirements </strong><br><p><strong>Role:</strong></p><p>Technical Lead / Project Lead with strong expertise in Kubernetes (k3s/k8s), Linux systems, and open-source platform engineering</p><p><strong>Responsibilities:</strong></p><ul><li>Lead end-to-end technical strategy, design and implementation for k3s-based Kubernetes platform</li><li>Lead upstream contributions to the Rancher/K3s open-source repository, including writing patches, conducting PR reviews, and participating in community forums.</li><li>Define and implement open-source lifecycle management strategy including upstream sync and internal repository management</li><li>Own k3s source code management, enhancements, formal verification and release processes</li><li>Drive architecture for master/agent nodes, cluster lifecycle and networking</li><li>Define release strategy, versioning, and communication</li><li>Manage breaking changes aligned with release planning</li><li>Define vulnerability management processes and STIG compliance</li><li>Drive performance benchmarking and optimization</li><li>Ensure alignment with upstream k3s and coordinate merges</li><li>Define governance model, release controls and quality gates</li><li>Conduct technical and architecture reviews</li></ul><p><strong>Skills:</strong></p><p><strong>Must Have:</strong></p><ul><li>7–10 years of experience in platform engineering / distributed systems</li><li>Strong expertise in Linux fundamentals and system internals</li><li>Strong understanding of Kubernetes architecture and core components</li><li>Understanding of Kubernetes control plane components (API server, scheduler, kubelet)</li><li>Strong GoLang development experience</li><li>Knowledge of advanced Kubernetes networking (network policies, routing)</li><li>Good knowledge of Python for automation</li><li>Hands-on experience with Docker / container runtimes (containerd preferred)</li><li>Experience with automation tools such as Ansible</li><li>Good understanding of Kubernetes networking (CNI concepts, ingress, DNS, services)</li><li>Basic understanding of datastore backends (etcd / SQL systems)</li><li>Experience with CI/CD pipelines and Git workflows</li><li>Strong problem-solving and debugging skills</li></ul><p><strong>Nice to Have:</strong></p><ul><li>Experience with k3s or Rancher ecosystem</li><li>Deep knowledge of Kubernetes control plane internals</li><li>Experience in vulnerability management and STIG/CIS compliance</li><li>Experience with open-source governance and contribution models</li><li>Familiarity with Linux packaging, systemd services and binary distribution</li><li>Strong Linux networking knowledge (iptables/nftables, routing)</li><li>Experience with embedded datastores (SQLite/Dqlite) and etcd.</li><li>Experience in vulnerability management and STIG/CIS compliance</li></ul><br><br><strong>Work Experience </strong><br><p><strong>Required Experience</strong></p><ul><li><strong>7-10 years</strong> in Platform Engineering, Distributed Systems, or Kubernetes Administration.</li><li>Experience leading platform design, development, and release management.</li></ul><p><strong>Required Skills</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Kubernetes (K8s/K3s)</strong>: Architecture, Control Plane, Cluster Lifecycle, Networking.</li><li><strong>Linux</strong>: System administration, internals, networking, troubleshooting.</li><li><strong>GoLang</strong>: Strong development and debugging experience.</li><li><strong>Containers</strong>: Docker, containerd.</li><li><strong>Automation & DevOps</strong>: Python, Ansible, Git, CI/CD pipelines.</li></ul><p><strong>Preferred Skills</strong></p><ul><li>Rancher/K3s ecosystem.</li><li>Open-source contributions and governance.</li><li>etcd, SQLite, Dqlite.</li><li>STIG/CIS compliance and vulnerability management.</li><li>Advanced Linux networking (iptables, nftables, routing).</li></ul><br><br><strong>Benefits </strong><br><p>NA</p><br><br>