Kubernetes Platform Engineer

LBL • $120K — $150K *
Berkeley, CA 94704In-Person
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
1 month ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience or equivalent with a Bachelor's degree; 6 years with a Master's degree.
  • Experience managing Kubernetes on on-premises installations, particularly K3s or RKE2.
  • Familiarity with cloud-managed Kubernetes services, especially GKE and EKS.
  • Strong Linux networking skills, including iptables and DNS troubleshooting.
  • Proficient in GitOps tools such as ArgoCD or Flux.
  • Scripting expertise in Bash, Python, or Go for automation tasks.
  • Experience with Cilium CNI or similar networking tools.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee the complete lifecycle of Kubernetes clusters, including upgrades and security patches.
  • Address cluster-level issues, from control plane problems to resource constraints.
  • Implement and maintain strong security measures based on CIS benchmarks.
  • Manage etcd health and establish disaster recovery plans.
  • Monitor and optimize cluster performance across shared workloads.
  • Collaborate with datacenter operations for infrastructure changes.
  • Design and maintain secure networking configurations using Cilium CNI.

Benefits

  • Engagement with cutting-edge cloud technologies and Kubernetes practices.
  • Opportunity to contribute to the development of an internal developer platform.
  • Collaborative team environment with a focus on developer enablement.
  • Access to ongoing technical training and certification opportunities.
  • Involvement in innovative project implementations that drive business efficiency.
Full Job Description
We are seeking a Kubernetes Platform Engineer to join the Platform Engineering team as a hands-on individual contributor. This role focuses on day-to-day operations and administration of Kubernetes clusters, primarily on-premises (K3s/RKE2) with additional support for cloud environments on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Amazon Web Services (AWS). You will manage cluster lifecycle operations, implement and maintain Cilium-based networking, troubleshoot complex platform issues, and enable development teams to successfully deploy and operate their workloads. This position balances infrastructure operations with developer enablement, requiring both deep technical expertise and strong collaboration skills.

Major Responsibilities

Cluster Operations & Administration
  • Manage the full lifecycle of Kubernetes clusters (on-premises K3s/RKE2, GKE, and EKS), including upgrades, security patching, scaling, and capacity planning
  • Troubleshoot cluster-level issues including control plane problems, node failures, and resource constraints
  • Implement and maintain cluster security hardening based on CIS benchmarks and organizational security policies
  • Manage etcd cluster health, backup procedures, and disaster recovery capabilities
  • Monitor cluster performance and optimize resource utilization across multi-tenant workloads
  • Coordinate with datacenter operations team for physical infrastructure changes and maintenance windows

Networking & Cilium CNI

  • Implement, configure, and maintain Cilium CNI across on-premises and cloud Kubernetes environments
  • Design and enforce network policies to achieve secure multi-tenant isolation
  • Troubleshoot complex pod networking issues including DNS resolution, service discovery, and connectivity problems
  • Configure and maintain BGP peering with physical network infrastructure for on-premises integration
  • Work with network engineering team on firewall rules, VLANs, IPv6 networking, and network architecture


Internal Developer Platform & Enablement

  • Contribute to building a next-generation internal developer platform inspired by tools like Backstage, focused on increasing development efficiency and security
  • Work with the security team to define secure image baselines and automate the patching pipeline for container images
  • Assist development teams with deploying, configuring, and troubleshooting Kubernetes workloads
  • Review application deployment manifests and provide guidance on best practices and optimization
  • Develop and maintain platform documentation, runbooks, and self-service guides
  • Engage with development teams to understand platform needs and tailor the cluster experience to meet evolving requirements


Required Qualifications

  • Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or equivalent experience.
  • Demonstrated experience administering Kubernetes on on-premises infrastructure (K3s, RKE2, or similar bare-metal distributions)
  • Experience with cloud-managed Kubernetes (GKE and/or EKS)
  • Strong understanding of Linux networking fundamentals: iptables/nftables, routing tables, DNS, TCP/IP stack, network troubleshooting
  • Experience with GitOps methodologies and tools such as ArgoCD or Flux
  • Proficiency in scripting and automation: Bash, Python, Go
  • Cilium CNI or equivalent production experience
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and communicate technical concepts clearly
  • Understanding of Kubernetes security best practices including Pod Security Standards, RBAC, and secrets management
  • GCP (Google Cloud Platform) and/or AWS (Amazon Web Services) cloud platform experience


Preferred Qualifications

  • Go programming experience for operator maintenance and platform tooling development
  • CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator) or CKS (Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist) certification
  • Background in BGP routing protocols and network engineering concepts
  • IPv6 networking experience
  • Infrastructure as Code experience with Terraform or Ansible
  • Experience with internal developer platform (IDP) tools such as Backstage or similar
  • Experience with service mesh technologies (Istio, Linkerd)
  • Excellent understanding of code review and familiarity with GitHub and GitLab workflows

About LBL

LBL Careers

Joining LBL offers an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a leading team of professionals dedicated to pioneering innovation and digital transformation. LBL stands as a beacon of excellence, offering a range of job opportunities that cater to various skills and career aspirations.

Explore Career Opportunities

LBL’s dynamic career paths empower professionals to navigate their professional growth with confidence. Whether through full-time positions, internships, or leadership roles, LBL is committed to fostering a culture of growth and learning.

Innovation and Professional Growth

At LBL, innovation isn’t just a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of their mission. The company encourages its team to push the boundaries of technology and strategy, ensuring that every member has the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking projects.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity training and inclusion are at the heart of LBL’s employment strategy. The company believes that a diverse team is a strong team, and actively works to create an environment where all voices are heard and valued.

Benefits and Culture

LBL is renowned for its vibrant culture and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the team in all aspects of life—both professional and personal. From health benefits to flexible work policies, LBL ensures that the team not only excels at work but also enjoys a balanced life.

Networking and Development

Career advancement at LBL is fueled by robust professional networking and development programs. These initiatives are tailored to hone skills, enhance leadership capabilities, and ensure that every team member can achieve their career goals.

Join the LBL Team

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