Cloud Engineer (Containers Focus)

Viasat; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is seeking a Senior Cloud Engineer (Containers Focus) to oversee Kubernetes-based platform operations, CI/CD pipelines, and IaC-driven automation. The role emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams, incident response, and security compliance in a 60%+ onsite Carlsbad, CA environment.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years of cloud and container experience, strong Python/Ansible/Terraform skills, and a track record of building scalable cloud-native services with monitoring and logging

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with public cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes, Rancher).
• Strong proficiency with Ansible, Python, Terraform, GitLab runners.
• Experience with monitoring tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK, OpenTelemetry).
• Ability to work onsite at Viasat Carlsbad, CA office in a 60%+ onsite schedule.
• Security, data governance, and compliance best practices.
• Experience migrating workloads to the cloud and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage infrastructure as code and automation scripts to streamline deployment, monitoring, and management.
• Operate and improve Kubernetes/Rancher/OpenShift platforms for reliability and performance.
• Implement security controls and ensure compliance with industry standards.
• Participate in on-call rotations and post-incident problem solving.
• Collaborate with Agile teams to deliver high-quality, scalable solutions.
• Automate cluster configuration, pipelines, and OpenShift deployments to reduce disruption.

Skills

Public Cloud

Kubernetes

Rancher

Monitoring

CI/CD

Python

Ansible

Terraform

Linux

Windows

Tools

GitLab

ArgoCD

AWX

Vault

Job description

About us

One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we're on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We're looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.

What you'll do

As a Senior Cloud Engineer (Containers Focus), you will oversee the administration, CI/CD processes, and platform operations of our microservices environment (Kubernetes, Rancher, vCluster) You will collaborate closely with cross disciplinary technical teams to design, build, deliver, support tools and cloud native services that ensure our Kubernetes platform operates efficiently, scales seamlessly, and delivers an exceptional customer experience.

This is a sitebased role in the Viasat Carlsbad, CA location. Employees work 3+ days (60%+) per week from a Viasat office or work location within a standard fiveday workweek

The day-to-day

• Manage infrastructure as Code: Develop and maintain automation scripts (Python, Bash, Shell, YAML, JavaScript etc.) and tools (GitLab, Terraform, ArgoCD, AWX Vault, etc.) to streamline & improve infrastructure deployment, monitoring, and management processes, using Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
• Monitoring & Observability: Establish robust monitoring and logging foundations collaborating with the wider Site Reliability Engineering Function and ensure platform reliability and performance using the standard application performance management tools.
• Security: Incorporate security protocols and ensure compliance of the platform with industry standards.
• Incident Management: Participate in out of hours on-call rotation, help fix platform related incidents and implement post incident improvements to prevent recurrent issues.
• Collaborate with multi-functional teams in an Agile/Scrum environment to deliver high-quality solutions.
• Automate the deployment, configuration, and maintenance of our OpenShift clusters through creation and deployment of custom pipelines
• Participate in the review of new cluster configurations and pipelines to ensure they achieve their intended result in a non-disruptive manner
• Identify, recommend, and implement upgrades and enhancements required to maintain system functionality and optimal performance
• Document any new services or infrastructure being deployed as well as ensuring that current documentation remains accurate and follows best practices
• Solve and conduct root cause analysis for Linux and Windows servers.
• Enhance monitoring and logging with Prometheus and ELK stack.
• Ensure compliance with security standards and implement robust monitoring and logging practices.

What you'll need

• 5+ years of hands-on experience working with public cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP), containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes, Rancher), and monitoring solutions (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK, OpenTelemetry, etc.).
• Ability to work onsite at Viasat office
• Strong proficiency in tools like Ansible, Python, Terraform, GitLab runners, etc.
• Interest in designing, developing, deploying, and improving microservice infrastructure and related services.
• Develop scripts for automating routine tasks (e.g., Bash, Python, PowerShell).
• Experience administration of a Linux operating system
• Understanding of data governance, security, and compliance best practices
• Prior experience in migrating workloads from legacy platforms to the cloud
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong fixing skills and experience with Linux and Windows server environments.
• Strong communication
• and collaboration skills.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
• US Citizenship required.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

What will help you on the job

• Strong proficiency in Ansible, Python, Go, and Terraform
• Knowledge or experience with CI/CD and tools like: Kubernetes, Ansible, Docker, Git, Artifactory, Jenkins, Puppet, CF Engine, Terraform, Heroku, GitHub Actions
• Knowledge or experience with microservice platforms like: Rancher Labs, AKS, GKS, EKS
• Knowledge or experience with cloud platforms like: AWS, OpenStack, Azure, Google Cloud
• Knowledge or experience with databases like: MySQL, MongoDB, MSSQL, MariaDB, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, HBase, Hive, Amazon RDS, Impala
• Knowledge or experience with development frameworks like: Flask, Django, React, Ionic, Bootstrap, Semantic UI, Foundation, Angular, Polymer, VueJS
• Experience with Software Development Life Cycle: including planning, system integration, verification, and validation for a variety of technical solutions
• Experience working with the Agile/Scrum methodology
• Experience administering Windows or Linux operating systems
• Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) preferred

Salary range

$121,000.00 - $191,000.00 / annually.

For specific work locations within San Jose, the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, the base pay range for this role is $150,000.00- $225,000.00/ annually

At Viasat, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Learn more about Viasat's comprehensive benefit offerings that are focused on your holistic health and wellness at https://careers.viasat.com/benefits.

EEO Statement

Viasat is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this on-line application, please click here.