Kubernetes SME

R Systems; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

R Systems is seeking a Subject Matter Expert in Kubernetes to provide elite architectural guidance and hands-on engineering for large-scale scaling challenges. You will drive automation and FinOps initiatives across a multi-cluster environment, delivering resilient platforms and cost-conscious designs.

In this role, you will serve as a technical authority for Kubernetes, accelerate deployment of ScaleOps and Karpenter, audit clusters for HA and security, and develop IaC modules.

Qualifications

• Expert Kubernetes architecture, networking, and security at scale.
• Experience implementing automated scaling in enterprise environments.
• Proficient in Terraform/OpenTofu and automation tooling.
• Strong FinOps knowledge and cost-avoidance strategies.
• Ability to onboard quickly and deliver independent, high-quality solutions.

Responsibilities

• Act as escalation point for complex Kubernetes scaling challenges.
• Deploy and fine-tune resource automation across clusters.
• Audit architectures to improve HA, security, and utilization.
• Develop IaC modules and automation scripts.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to share best practices.

Skills

Kubernetes architecture

Automated scaling

Infrastructure as Code

FinOps

Independent problem solving

Tools

Terraform

OpenTofu

ScaleOps

Karpenter

Job description

As a Subject Matter Expert in Kubernetes, you will provide specialized, high-impact technical guidance and hands-on engineering to solve our most complex scaling challenges. You will act as a catalyst for our automation and FinOps initiatives across our large enterprise cluster environment, helping us rapidly implement and optimize advanced resource management systems to eliminate toil and boost platform resilience.

About the Role

As a Subject Matter Expert in Kubernetes, you will provide specialized, high-impact technical guidance and hands-on engineering to solve our most complex scaling challenges.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the ultimate escalation point and technical authority for complex Kubernetes architectural and scaling challenges.
• Accelerate the deployment and fine-tuning of intelligent resource automation platforms (e.g., ScaleOps, Karpenter) across our cluster fleet.
• Audit existing cluster architectures and provide actionable recommendations to improve high availability, security, and resource utilization.
• Develop and implement advanced Infrastructure as Code (IaC) modules and automation scripts to solve highly specific platform bottlenecks.
• Partner with our internal engineering teams to share knowledge, document best practices, and upskill the team on modern K8s paradigms.

Qualifications:

• Expert-level, deeply specialized knowledge of Kubernetes architecture, networking, and security at a massive scale.
• Proven track record as a consultant or SME implementing automated scaling and optimization tools (Karpenter, ScaleOps) in enterprise environments.
• Deep proficiency in Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, OpenTofu) and writing custom automation tooling.
• Strong grasp of container-level FinOps and cloud cost-avoidance methodologies.
• Ability to rapidly onboard, identify critical bottlenecks, and deliver high-quality technical solutions independently.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level knowledge of Kubernetes architecture.
• Proven experience with automated scaling tools.
• Proficiency in Infrastructure as Code.
• Understanding of FinOps methodologies.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with ScaleOps and Karpenter.
• Familiarity with Terraform and OpenTofu.

Pay range and compensation package:

Not specified in the provided job description.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices.