We are seeking a highly experienced Kubernetes Engineer with strong expertise in Rancher-managed Kubernetes environments and migration to Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). The ideal candidate will lead and execute large-scale container platform migrations, enabling seamless transition from on-prem/container platforms to Azure managed Kubernetes, while ensuring high availability, scalability, and secure CI/CD-driven deployments.
This role requires deep hands-on experience with containerization, Kubernetes operations, ingress/gateway architectures (HAProxy, NGINX), and enterprise-scale lift-and-shift container migration.
Key Responsibilities
1. Kubernetes Platform Migration (Rancher to AKS)
- Lead migration of Kubernetes workloads from Rancher-managed clusters (on-prem or IaaS) to Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS).
- Assess existing cluster configurations, namespaces, workloads, and dependencies.
- Define and execute migration strategies (lift-and-shift, re-platform, phased migration).
- Ensure minimal downtime and zero data loss during migration.
2. Container Workload Migration
- Migrate containerized applications to AKS at scale.
- Refactor container images and manifests where necessary for AKS compatibility.
- Optimize resource allocation, scaling policies, and pod distribution.
3. Kubernetes Architecture & Design
- Design production-grade AKS architectures with:
High availability (multi-node pools, zones)
Auto-scaling (HPA, cluster autoscaler)
Secure networking (VNet integration, private clusters)
- Implement best practices for multi-tenant and namespace isolation.
4. CI/CD Integration for Kubernetes
- Integrate Kubernetes deployments into CI/CD pipelines using:
Azure DevOps / GitHub Actions / GitLab CI
- Implement GitOps practices (ArgoCD/Flux) where applicable.
- Automate build, test, and deployment of containerized applications.
5. Ingress & Gateway Architecture
- Design and implement ingress and gateway solutions using:
NGINX Ingress Controller
HAProxy-based gateways/load balancers
- Configure routing, SSL termination, rate limiting, and security policies.
- Ensure high availability and fault tolerance of ingress layer.
6. Networking & Security
- Configure Kubernetes networking (CNI, network policies).
- Implement secure communication using TLS, secrets, and RBAC.
- Integrate with Azure services such as Azure AD, Key Vault, and Private Endpoints.
7. Observability & Monitoring
- Implement monitoring and logging using:
Azure Monitor for Containers
Prometheus & Grafana
Log Analytics
- Define SLIs/SLOs and alerting strategies.
8. Performance Optimization
- Optimize cluster performance, pod scheduling, and resource utilization.
- Conduct load testing and capacity planning for large-scale workloads.
9. Automation & Infrastructure as Code
- Provision and manage infrastructure using:
Terraform
ARM / Bicep
- Automate cluster setup, upgrades, and scaling.
10. Collaboration & Leadership
- Work closely with DevOps, application, and cloud architecture teams.
- Provide guidance on container best practices and Kubernetes usage.
- Support enterprise migration programs and troubleshooting.
Required Skills & Experience
Kubernetes & Containerization
- Strong hands-on experience with:
Kubernetes (cluster setup, operations, troubleshooting)
Rancher (multi-cluster management)
Docker/container runtime technologies
- Deep understanding of Kubernetes components (API server, etcd, scheduler, kubelet).
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
- Experience designing and operating AKS clusters.
- Knowledge of AKS features such as node pools, scaling, and upgrades.
Migration Expertise
- Proven experience in Rancher to AKS migration.
- Experience in large-scale container workload migration.
- Hands-on experience in lift-and-shift container migrations.
Ingress & Gateway Technologies
NGINX Ingress Controller
HAProxy load balancing and gateway configurations
CI/CD & DevOps
- Experience integrating Kubernetes with CI/CD tools:
Azure DevOps, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions
- Familiarity with GitOps tools (ArgoCD, Flux).
Networking & Security
- Understanding of Kubernetes networking (CNI plugins, service mesh optional).
- Experience with RBAC, secrets management, and TLS.
Scripting & Automation
- Proficiency in Bash, Python, or PowerShell.
Preferred Qualifications
- Azure certifications (e.g., Azure Administrator / Azure DevOps Engineer / Kubernetes certifications (CKA/CKAD)).
- Experience with service mesh (Istio, Linkerd).
- Familiarity with container security tools (Aqua, Twistlock, Trivy).
Soft Skills
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work in fast-paced migration programs.
Education
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
Experience Level
- 6–10+ years of IT experience.
- 3–5+ years of hands-on Kubernetes experience.
- Proven track record in enterprise-scale container migration projects.
Key Competencies
- Kubernetes Platform Engineering
- Container Workload Modernization
- Ingress & Gateway Architecture (NGINX, HAProxy)
- CI/CD & GitOps for Kubernetes
Summary
This role is ideal for a Kubernetes expert passionate about container platform transformation, with strong experience in Rancher environments and AKS, and the ability to drive large-scale container migration programs while implementing robust, scalable, and secure cloud-native architectures.
Pay: $8,000.00 - $10,000.00 per month
Work Location: In person