Senior Kubernetes Engineer

MariaDB is making a big impact on the world. Whether you’re checking your bank account, buying a coffee, shopping online, making a phone call, listening to music, taking out a loan or ordering takeout – MariaDB is the backbone of applications used everyday. Companies small and large, including 75% of the Fortune 500, run MariaDB, touching the lives of billions of people. With massive reach through Linux distributions, enterprise deployments and public clouds, MariaDB is uniquely positioned as the leading database for modern application development.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Kubernetes Engineer to design, build, and manage secure, scalable, and production-grade Kubernetes environments with a focus on ClusterAPI, Kamaji and MariaDB Kubernetes Operator. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in Kubernetes architecture, particularly the separation of control plane and data plane, and extensive experience with cloud networking technologies such as AWS PrivateLink, VPNs, and VPC peering.  This platform engineering role emphasizes multi-cloud infrastructure automation (AWS, Azure, GCP, and smaller providers) using GitOps and Infrastructure as Code (IaC). Responsibilities include implementing robust cloud-native observability and managing secrets with enterprise-grade vaults for multi-cloud Kubernetes deployments. The role also involves developing and maintaining new features for the MariaDB Kubernetes Operator.

What You’ll Do

• Design, implement, and manage production-grade Kubernetes infrastructure using ClusterAPI for cluster lifecycle management and Kamaji for scalable control plane management.
• Develop and maintain Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform, creating reusable modules to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters and related cloud resources across multiple cloud providers.
• Ensure clear separation of Kubernetes control plane and data plane, optimizing for scalability, performance, and security.
• Implement secure networking configurations, including AWS PrivateLink, VPNs, and VPC peering, to ensure robust cloud security practices.
• Automate infrastructure deployment and management processes, leveraging tools like Argo Workflows for release pipelines and Ansible for configuration management.
• Develop and maintain new features in the MariaDB Kubernetes Operator to automate the complete lifecycle of MariaDB within Kubernetes environments.
• Develop and maintain backend services that interface with the Kubernetes APIs exposed by the MariaDB Kubernetes Operator.
• Establish comprehensive observability using OpenTelemetry, Prometheus, and Grafana for monitoring, logging, and alerting across Kubernetes environments.
• Manage secrets and encryption keys using enterprise-grade vaults, such as HashiCorp Vault, AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, and Google Cloud KMS.
• Secure workload-to-workload communication using mechanisms like mTLS, integrating with service mesh technologies where applicable.
• Optimize cloud resource costs to ensure cost-efficient, scalable Kubernetes deployments.
• Implement backup and disaster recovery strategies for Kubernetes to ensure data integrity and service continuity.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of experience designing, deploying, and managing Kubernetes-based infrastructure at scale in multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP, and smaller cloud providers like DigitalOcean, Linode, or Oracle Cloud).
• Deep understanding of Kubernetes architecture, including control plane and data plane separation, and hands-on experience with ClusterAPI and Kamaji.
• Strong knowledge of cloud networking technologies, including AWS PrivateLink, VPNs, VPC peering, and other secure networking configurations.
• Proficiency in managing secure, scalable Kubernetes clusters using managed services (AKS, EKS, GKE) and non-managed environments.
• Hands-on experience writing Kubernetes operators in Go.
• Write simple, idiomatic, and maintainable Go code following best practices.
• Experience with cloud-native observability tools like OpenTelemetry, Prometheus, and Grafana for monitoring Kubernetes and database workloads.
• Hands-on experience with automation tools like Ansible and Argo Workflows for configuration management and release processes.
• Familiarity with modern authentication protocols (e.g., JWT, OAuth 2.0, OIDC) and cloud-native identity services (e.g., AWS IAM, Azure AD, Google Cloud IAM) for securing user and workload access.
• Experience with secrets management using vaults like HashiCorp Vault, AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, and Google Cloud KMS.
• Strong scripting and automation skills to streamline infrastructure operations.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex Kubernetes and cloud infrastructure issues in production.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including SRE, DevSecOps, and developers, with demonstrated leadership in mentoring or guiding technical initiatives.
• Fluent in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice to Have

• Certifications in AWS, Azure, GCP or Kubernetes (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Certified Kubernetes Administrator).
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines using ArgoCD or similar tools.
• Knowledge of multi-region Kubernetes deployments and cluster federation (e.g., Kubernetes Federation, Karmada) for global scalability and high availability.
• Familiarity with compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2) and experience building Kubernetes infrastructure for highly regulated industries (e.g., finance, healthcare).
• Familiarity with configuring Kubernetes for federated authentication with external identity providers (e.g., Okta, Keycloak) for single sign-on (SSO).
• Experience managing and operating relational databases (bonus points for MariaDB or MySQL).

Why Join Us

• Contribute to global, cutting-edge Kubernetes projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, 25 days paid annual leave (plus holidays), a massive degree of flexibility and freedom, and more. Salaries for candidates outside the U.S. will vary based on local compensation structures.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.
• Collaborate with an innovative team leveraging advanced cloud and Kubernetes technologies.
• Impact the world of technology by pushing the boundaries of technology and business models, working at MariaDB. Be part of a game-changing organization that encourages outside-the-box thinking, values empowerment, and is truly shaping the future of the software industry.
• You’ll be collaborating with high-caliber colleagues around the world, offering unparalleled learning and growth opportunities.

Location

Bulgaria – Sofia (Hybrid)

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application along with your resume/CV through our Greenhouse ATS system.

• MariaDB does not sponsor work visas or relocation.
• MariaDB is committed to providing any necessary accommodations for individuals with disabilities within our application and interview process. To request an accommodation due to a disability, please inform your recruiter.
• MariaDB will not accept agency resumes without prior contractual agreement with HR. Please do not forward resumes to any recruiting alias or employee directly. MariaDB is not responsible for any unsolicited resumes.
• MariaDB is an equal opportunities employer.