Kubernetes Platform Junior Engineer

Vanguard; Malvern (Chester County); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard, based in Malvern, PA, seeks a Kubernetes Junior Cloud Engineer to help build and support Vanguard's Kubernetes platform, including ArgoCD, Karpenter, and Prometheus as part of our managed cloud ecosystem.

You will work with architects and IT security to enhance observability, availability, and resiliency, delivering junior-level platform engineering services and enabling new tools.

This role emphasizes automation, learning, and collaboration across teams in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in CS or related field.
• Strong scripting skills with Python or Go.
• Experience with cloud platforms, preferably AWS, and Kubernetes.

Responsibilities

• Provide junior-level IT services and support for platform projects.
• Assist in testing, security reviews, and deployment automation.
• Collaborate with architects and security groups to improve observability and resiliency.
• Create and maintain technical documentation and diagrams.
• Support continuous quality improvement of standards and tooling.
• Participate in design, code, and test reviews throughout the life cycle.

Skills

AWS core concepts

Python/Go

Automation

Problem-solving

DevOps tooling

Observability

Education

Undergraduate degree

Tools

Kubernetes

ArgoCD

Karpenter

Prometheus

Terraform

CloudFormation

Job description

The Kubernetes Junior Cloud Engineer contributes to Vanguard’s Kubernetes agenda through the buildout and support of the Kubernetes platform at Vanguard, and associated tools and add-ons, including ArgoCD, Karpenter, Amazon Managed Prometheus, OPA Gatekeeper, and others. This platform is a key part of Vanguard's managed cloud platforms, alongside ECS and our Lambda team (FaaS), and is the primary platform used for third‑party and AI applications, among others. You'll work alongside architects, partner with a variety of different IT and security groups to solve problems related to observability, availability and resiliency, and provide junior level platform engineering services, including implementing and supporting new tools and technologies for Vanguard.

In this role, you will:

• Provide junior level IT services and direction for critical platform operational projects. Provides technical expertise and completes medium-to-complex development, design, and implementation, and maintenance activities.
• Ensure the viability of IT deliverables. Approver on team PRs. Conduct testing, including functionality, technical limitations, and security.
• Identify potential solutions and provide insights on technical solutions proposed by team members. Elevate complex technical issues to tech leads, architects, and IT experts. Resolve technical problems discovered by internal clients. Respond to and resolve technical issues in a timely manner. Research issues and perform root cause analysis.
• Communicate with key stakeholders on project issues and implications. Evaluate the impacts of change requests on technologies and effectively persuades and influences others on ideas.
• Maintain a current and working knowledge of IT development methodology, architecture design, and technical standards. Mentor IT staff and identify training needs.
• Review and collaborate on documentation and diagrams created by IT team members. Write documentation, including technical standards and processes.
• Identify opportunities for continuous quality improvement of technical standards, methodologies, and technologies.
• Participate in design, code, and test inspections throughout product life cycle to identify issues.

What it takes:

• Minimum of 3+ years related work experience, with at least 1 year of platform operation or development experience.
• Familiarity with AWS core concepts and services.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Strong core development skills and problem-solving skills.
• Disposition for proactive solutioning with a preference for automation.
• Experience with modern software practices and automation.
• Experience with a scripting language, preferably Python/Go.
• Ability to troubleshoot effectively throughout the development lifecycle.
• Ability to self‑train on emerging technologies and share what you learn with others.
• Eye on reducing Developer Cognitive Load.
• Passion for Cloud Native Observability and Resiliency Engineering.
• Experience building applications and services using AWS or Kubernetes.
• Collaborative - Learn & Teach mindset.

Beneficial but not required skills:

• CKA Certification.
• Monitoring and alerting production workloads.
• Managing AWS infrastructure using tools like CloudFormation or Terraform.
• AWS Technical Certifications.

Sponsorship

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission. To work for the long‑term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in‑person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission‑driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long‑term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.