Senior OpenStack Engineer

Rackspace Technology; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Rackspace Technology is seeking an experienced OpenStack engineer to join our Professional Services team in Riyadh, on-site in Saudi Arabia. You will manage and optimize production-grade OpenStack private clouds, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and advise on stability and security of customer solutions.

The role requires deep Linux administration, infrastructure automation, and knowledge of OpenStack services (Nova, Neutron, Cinder, Keystone) plus Kubernetes experience.

Qualifications

• Hands-on OpenStack deployment, configuration, and management.
• Strong Linux admin and automation scripting (Python/Bash).
• Knowledge of Ceph storage and SDN networking.

Responsibilities

• Deploy and manage OpenStack-based private cloud.
• Configure Nova, Neutron, Cinder, Keystone.
• Manage Kubernetes clusters and container deployments.
• Develop automation scripts for provisioning, monitoring, and scaling.
• Ensure security and compliance best practices.

Skills

Linux administration

Scripting (Python/Bash)

OpenStack expertise

Cloud concepts

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Tools

OpenStack deployment/config

Ceph storage

Kubernetes

Juju

LXD containers

Charmed Kubernetes

Job description

Rackspace Technology™ is a leading end-to-end, hybrid cloud and AI solutions company. We can design, build, and operate our customers' cloud environments across all major technology platforms, irrespective of technology stack or deployment model. We partner with our customers at every stage of their cloud journey, enabling them to modernize applications, build new products, and adopt innovative technologies. Named a best place to work by Glassdoor, Newsweek and Forbes, we attract and develop world-class talent to deliver a Fanatical Experience™ – so our customers can achieve better outcomes and stay ahead of what’s next.

We are seeking a highly experienced engineer with deep expertise in OpenStack to join our Professional Services team. This role will support a long-term, high-value Professional Services engagement by managing and optimizing a production-grade OpenStack private cloud environment. The ideal candidate will possess strong Linux administration skills, proficiency in infrastructure automation, and a proven ability to operate in compliance-driven, high-security environments. This position requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure stability, performance, and continuous improvement of critical cloud infrastructure for our customer.

You will be expected to take the initiative and advise on potential pitfalls that a customer may encounter, and suggest alternatives which may better serve the stability and security of the customer's solution.

This role will be permanently on-site in Riyadh, KSA.

Responsibilities

OpenStack Deployment and Management:

• Supporting, deploying, and managing OpenStack-based private cloud infrastructure.
• Configuring and maintaining OpenStack services such as Nova, Neutron, Cinder, and Keystone.
• Knowledge of Canonical OpenStack, Juju, and Lxd containers.
• Understanding of advanced OpenStack services Octavia, Designate, Masakari etc.
• Knowledge of Storage solutions such as Ceph.
• Implementing and managing Kubernetes clusters for container orchestration.
• Deploying and maintaining applications within Kubernetes environments.
• Knowledge of Charmed Kubernetes.

Integration and Automation:

• Integrating OpenStack and Kubernetes technologies for seamless operation.
• Developing automation scripts and tools for provisioning, monitoring, and scaling cloud resources.

Performance Monitoring and Optimization:

• Monitoring system performance and optimising configurations for maximum efficiency.
• Troubleshooting and resolving issues related to OpenStack and Kubernetes environments.
• Troubleshooting skills with respect SDN OVN networking, performance benchmarking with respect to CPU and disk utilization.
• Knowledge on Elastic search, Logstash, Kibana monitoring stacks.

Security and Compliance:

• Implementing security best practices and ensuring compliance within OpenStack and Kubernetes setups.
• Managing access controls, authentication, and authorization mechanisms.
• Good to have knowledge on CIS benchmarking.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Creating and maintaining technical documentation, including system configurations and operational procedures.
• Generating regular reports on system performance, capacity, and utilization.

Collaboration and Support:

• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate OpenStack and Kubernetes solutions with existing systems.
• Providing technical support and assistance to resolve issues related to cloud and container environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Strong experience in Linux system administration and with scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) for automation and management tasks.
• Hands‑on experience with OpenStack deployment, configuration, and management.
• Knowledge of Software Defined Storage systems such as Ceph.
• Knowledge of cloud-native principles.
• Excellent troubleshooting, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Prior experience in a customer‑facing support role
• Relevant certifications such as Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), Certified OpenStack Administrator (COA).

Additional Skills (Optional)

• Familiarity with other cloud platforms like VMWare, AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Experience with software‑defined networking (SDN) solutions in cloud environments.
• Knowledge of infrastructure as code (IaC) tools like Terraform or Ansible for provisioning and configuration management.