Technical Architect - K3s K8s

Job Requirements

Role:

Technical Lead / Project Lead with strong expertise in Kubernetes (k3s/k8s), Linux systems, and open-source platform engineering

Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end technical strategy, design and implementation for k3s-based Kubernetes platform
• Lead upstream contributions to the Rancher/K3s open-source repository, including writing patches, conducting PR reviews, and participating in community forums.
• Define and implement open-source lifecycle management strategy including upstream sync and internal repository management
• Own k3s source code management, enhancements, formal verification and release processes
• Drive architecture for master/agent nodes, cluster lifecycle and networking
• Define release strategy, versioning, and communication
• Manage breaking changes aligned with release planning
• Define vulnerability management processes and STIG compliance
• Drive performance benchmarking and optimization
• Ensure alignment with upstream k3s and coordinate merges
• Define governance model, release controls and quality gates
• Conduct technical and architecture reviews

Skills:

Must Have:

• 7–10 years of experience in platform engineering / distributed systems
• Strong expertise in Linux fundamentals and system internals
• Strong understanding of Kubernetes architecture and core components
• Understanding of Kubernetes control plane components (API server, scheduler, kubelet)
• Strong GoLang development experience
• Knowledge of advanced Kubernetes networking (network policies, routing)
• Good knowledge of Python for automation
• Hands-on experience with Docker / container runtimes (containerd preferred)
• Experience with automation tools such as Ansible
• Good understanding of Kubernetes networking (CNI concepts, ingress, DNS, services)
• Basic understanding of datastore backends (etcd / SQL systems)
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and Git workflows
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills

Nice to Have:

• Experience with k3s or Rancher ecosystem
• Deep knowledge of Kubernetes control plane internals
• Experience in vulnerability management and STIG/CIS compliance
• Experience with open-source governance and contribution models
• Familiarity with Linux packaging, systemd services and binary distribution
• Strong Linux networking knowledge (iptables/nftables, routing)
• Experience with embedded datastores (SQLite/Dqlite) and etcd.
• Experience in vulnerability management and STIG/CIS compliance

Required Experience

• 7-10 years in Platform Engineering, Distributed Systems, or Kubernetes Administration.
• Experience leading platform design, development, and release management.

Required Skills

• Kubernetes (K8s/K3s): Architecture, Control Plane, Cluster Lifecycle, Networking.
• Linux: System administration, internals, networking, troubleshooting.
• GoLang: Strong development and debugging experience.
• Containers: Docker, containerd.
• Automation & DevOps: Python, Ansible, Git, CI/CD pipelines.

Preferred Skills

• Rancher/K3s ecosystem.
• Open-source contributions and governance.
• etcd, SQLite, Dqlite.
• STIG/CIS compliance and vulnerability management.
• Advanced Linux networking (iptables, nftables, routing).

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