L2 Operation & Support Engineer

Thales Group; Al Khobar; On-site; SAR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales Saudi Arabia is seeking an experienced DevOps Engineer for ODC and eIM to build, maintain, and optimize cloud-native systems. The role emphasizes reliability, automation, and scalable operations across cloud and on-prem environments.

The position requires 4+ years in systems administration, hands-on Kubernetes, GitLab CI, and scripting in Bash or Python. Onsite 24/7 shifts and collaboration with cross-functional teams are essential to ensure system resilience.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science or related discipline.
• 4+ years in systems administration, solutions delivery, or integration engineering.
• Public cloud experience; strong Kubernetes and container orchestration.
• Automation with Bash/Python, Terraform, Helm; GitLab CI/CD pipelines.
• Advanced Linux with strong networking and REST APIs knowledge.
• Experience with Cassandra and MySQL databases.
• Telecom domain/ eSIM experience is a plus; Java is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and automate infrastructure using IaC, maintain CI/CD pipelines with GitLab.
• Install, configure, and manage Kubernetes-based solutions on Google Cloud Platform.
• Own production systems with monitoring, observability, and incident response to meet SLAs.
• Act as technical bridge between development, validation, and customers; 24/7 onsite shifts.
• Prepare technical documentation and operational readiness reviews for process improvement.
• Collaborate with team to drive knowledge sharing and process improvements.

Skills

IaC

CI/CD

GCP

Kubernetes

GitLab

Vaults

Bash

Python

Perl

Terraform

Helm

Linux

Networking

APIs

Apache

SSL/TLS

MySQL

Cassandra

eSIM

Java

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

GitLab CI

Terraform

Helm

Job description

Location: Khobar, Saudi ArabiaThales people architect identity management and data protection solutions at the heart of digital security. Business and governments rely on us to bring trust to the billions of digital interactions they have with people. Our technologies and services help banks exchange funds, people cross borders, energy become smarter and much more. More than 30,000 organizations already rely on us to verify the identities of people and things, grant access to digital services, analyze vast quantities of information and encrypt data to make the connected world more secure.For over 50 years, Thales has been a trusted partner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As a local industrial partner, Thales provides advanced solutions in Defence, Public Security, Civil Aviation, Space, Enterprise, and Cybersecurity across four sites throughout the country. The Saudi Vision 2030 is at the heart of Thales' strategy in the Kingdom, driving the localisation of defence technologies and systems, strengthening local capabilities, developing local talent, and supporting national sovereignty through strategic collaborations. To reinforce its commitment to localising its defence activities and to build a future we can trust in the Kingdom, Thales established SAMI Thales Electronic Systems (STES), a Joint Venture with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), operating under the ambitious directives outlined in Vision 2030.

As an DevOps Engineer for the Thales CDI/MCS products On-Demand Connectivity (ODC) and eUICC IoT Manager(eIM), you will apply software engineering skills to build, maintain, support and optimize mission-critical, cloud-native systems and applications. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring our ODC & eIM solutions are reliable, scalable, and performant.

Job Responsibilities

• Infrastructure & Automation: Design, develop, and automate infrastructure using Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) principles. Maintain robust CI/CD pipelines using GitLab.
• Cloud Operations: Install, configure, and manage Kubernetes-based solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• System Reliability: Take ownership of production systems with a "you build it, you run it" mindset. Manage real-time system monitoring, observability, and incident response to meet strict SLA commitments.
• Integration & Support: Act as a technical bridge between development, validation, and customers. The team will be working on 24/7 onsite shifts to provide operational support and participate in high impact Change Advisory Board (CAB) reviews.
• Documentation: Prepare technical documentation, customer acceptance plans, and operational readiness reviews to drive continuous process improvement.
• Team Collaboration: Contribute to team growth through knowledge sharing, technical training, and continuous process improvement.

Job Skills & Qualifications

• Education: Degree in Computer Science or a related discipline.
• Experience: 4+ years in systems administration, solutions delivery, or integration engineering. Experience with support & operations of highly critical productions systems and Understanding of ITSM processes (incident, Change, Problem, SLA's...) required.
• Cloud & Orchestration: Advance experience in public cloud (preferably GCP), Kubernetes, and container orchestration along with GitLab, CI/ID, Vaults.
• Automation & Scripting: Autonomous in Bash, Python, or Perl. Experience with Terraform, Helm.
• Advanced Linux experience (minimum 3 years).
• Strong understanding of networking (IPv4, Subnetting, TCP/IP, packet routing).
• Deep knowledge of HTTP(S), SOAP, and REST APIs.
• Strong proficiency in Apache, SSL/TLS/mTLS.
• Databases: Hands-on experience in Cassandra and MySQL.
• Telecom Domain (Preferred): Experience with eSIM technologies (e.g., SGP22/32) and telecommunications infrastructure.
• Development: A background in Java is highly preferred.

Behavior Competencies

• Mindset: Customer-oriented, self-starter, analytical, and an excellent team player.
• Communication: Strong communicator capable of managing conflicts in a fast-paced environment.
• Adaptability: Quick learner, flexible with hours, and ready to participate onsite in 24/7 team support to ensure system resilience.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.