Kubernetes Engineer

Job Description Overview We are seeking a highly experienced Kubernetes Engineer with strong expertise in Rancher-managed Kubernetes environments and migration to Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). The ideal candidate will lead and execute large-scale container platform migrations, enabling seamless transition from on-prem/container platforms to Azure managed Kubernetes, while ensuring high availability, scalability, and secure CI/CD-driven deployments. This role requires deep hands-on experience with containerization, Kubernetes operations, ingress/gateway architectures (HAProxy, NGINX), and enterprise-scale lift-and-shift container migration. Key Responsibilities 1. Kubernetes Platform Migration (Rancher to AKS) • Lead migration of Kubernetes workloads from Rancher-managed clusters (on-prem or IaaS) to Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). • Assess existing cluster configurations, namespaces, workloads, and dependencies. • Define and execute migration strategies (lift-and-shift, re-platform, phased migration). • Ensure minimal downtime and zero data loss during migration. 2. Container Workload Migration • Migrate containerized applications to AKS at scale. • Refactor container images and manifests where necessary for AKS compatibility. • Optimize resource allocation, scaling policies, and pod distribution. 3. Kubernetes Architecture & Design • Design production-grade AKS architectures with: ◦ High availability (multi-node pools, zones) ◦ Auto-scaling (HPA, cluster autoscaler) ◦ Secure networking (VNet integration, private clusters) • Implement best practices for multi-tenant and namespace isolation. 4. CI/CD Integration for Kubernetes • Integrate Kubernetes deployments into CI/CD pipelines using: ◦ Azure DevOps / GitHub Actions / GitLab CI • Implement GitOps practices (ArgoCD/Flux) where applicable. • Automate build, test, and deployment of containerized applications. 5. Ingress & Gateway Architecture • Design and implement ingress and gateway solutions using: ◦ NGINX Ingress Controller ◦ HAProxy-based gateways/load balancers • Configure routing, SSL termination, rate limiting, and security policies. • Ensure high availability and fault tolerance of ingress layer. 6. Networking & Security • Configure Kubernetes networking (CNI, network policies). • Implement secure communication using TLS, secrets, and RBAC. • Integrate with Azure services such as Azure AD, Key Vault, and Private Endpoints. 7. Observability & Monitoring • Implement monitoring and logging using: ◦ Azure Monitor for Containers ◦ Prometheus & Grafana ◦ Log Analytics • Define SLIs/SLOs and alerting strategies. 8. Performance Optimization • Optimize cluster performance, pod scheduling, and resource utilization. • Conduct load testing and capacity planning for large-scale workloads. 9. Automation & Infrastructure as Code • Provision and manage infrastructure using: ◦ Terraform ◦ ARM / Bicep • Automate cluster setup, upgrades, and scaling. 10. Collaboration & Leadership • Work closely with DevOps, application, and cloud architecture teams. • Provide guidance on container best practices and Kubernetes usage. • Support enterprise migration programs and troubleshooting. Required Skills & Experience Kubernetes & Containerization • Strong hands-on experience with: ◦ Kubernetes (cluster setup, operations, troubleshooting) ◦ Rancher (multi-cluster management) ◦ Docker/container runtime technologies • Deep understanding of Kubernetes components (API server, etcd, scheduler, kubelet). Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) • Experience designing and operating AKS clusters. • Knowledge of AKS features such as node pools, scaling, and upgrades. Migration Expertise • Proven experience in Rancher to AKS migration. • Experience in large-scale container workload migration. • Hands-on experience in lift-and-shift container migrations. Ingress & Gateway Technologies • Strong experience with: ◦ NGINX Ingress Controller ◦ HAProxy load balancing and gateway configurations CI/CD & DevOps • Experience integrating Kubernetes with CI/CD tools: ◦ Azure DevOps, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions • Familiarity with GitOps tools (ArgoCD, Flux). Networking & Security • Understanding of Kubernetes networking (CNI plugins, service mesh optional). • Experience with RBAC, secrets management, and TLS. Scripting & Automation • Proficiency in Bash, Python, or PowerShell. Preferred Qualifications • Azure certifications (e.g., Azure Administrator / Azure DevOps Engineer / Kubernetes certifications (CKA/CKAD)). • Experience with service mesh (Istio, Linkerd). • Familiarity with container security tools (Aqua, Twistlock, Trivy). Soft Skills • Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities. • Excellent communication and collaboration skills. • Ability to work in fast-paced migration programs. Education • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field. Experience Level • 6–10+ years of IT experience. • 3–5+ years of hands-on Kubernetes experience. • Proven track record in enterprise-scale container migration projects. Key Competencies • Kubernetes Platform Engineering • Rancher to AKS Migration • Container Workload Modernization • Ingress & Gateway Architecture (NGINX, HAProxy) • CI/CD & GitOps for Kubernetes Summary This role is ideal for a Kubernetes expert passionate about container platform transformation, with strong experience in Rancher environments and AKS, and the ability to drive large-scale container migration programs while implementing robust, scalable, and secure cloud-native architectures.