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Kubernetes Engineer Jobs

Specialists in orchestrating containerised applications at scale. Kubernetes Engineers ensure that applications run smoothly and efficiently in cloud environments.

Open roles
1
Hiring companies
2
View 1 live role → Get an alert

Kubernetes Engineers are the backbone of modern cloud infrastructure, focusing on the orchestration and management of containerised applications. They work with tools like Kubernetes (K8s) to automate the deployment, scaling, and management of application containers. These roles are in high demand across a range of industries, from tech scaleups to large enterprises, as organisations increasingly adopt cloud-native architectures to enhance agility and efficiency.

What the role does

Inside the role of a Kubernetes Engineer

A typical week for a Kubernetes Engineer is a mix of hands-on technical work and strategic planning, with a focus on maintaining and improving the reliability and performance of cloud environments.

  1. 01
    Design and implement Kubernetes clusters.
  2. 02
    Troubleshoot and resolve issues in production environments.
  3. 03
    Automate deployment and scaling processes.
  4. 04
    Collaborate with development teams to ensure smooth integration.
  5. 05
    Monitor and optimise cluster performance.
  6. 06
    Stay updated with the latest Kubernetes features and best practices.
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 3 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Kubernetes
100%
AWS
67%
Terraform
67%
CI/CD
67%
DevOps
67%
Python
67%
Ansible
67%
RBAC
67%
Secrets Management
67%
Vulnerability Management
67%
Golang
33%
Kubernetes Administration
33%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for kubernetes engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Junior Kubernetes Engineer

    0–2 yrs

    Assist in the setup and maintenance of Kubernetes clusters, with a focus on learning and supporting more senior engineers.

  2. Level 2

    Kubernetes Engineer

    2–5 yrs

    Own the day-to-day operations of Kubernetes clusters, including deployment, scaling, and troubleshooting, while contributing to the overall architecture.

  3. Level 3

    Senior Kubernetes Engineer

    5–8 yrs

    Lead the design and implementation of complex Kubernetes solutions, mentor junior engineers, and drive strategic initiatives.

  4. Level 4

    Principal Kubernetes Engineer

    8+ yrs

    Provide technical leadership, define long-term cloud strategies, and influence organisational cloud adoption and best practices.

Pathway

How to become a Kubernetes Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Learn Kubernetes Basics

    Start by understanding the fundamentals of Kubernetes, including its architecture, key components, and basic operations.

  2. 2

    Gain Practical Experience

    Work on real-world projects to set up and manage Kubernetes clusters, and gain hands-on experience with deployment and scaling.

  3. 3

    Specialise in Advanced Topics

    Dive deeper into advanced Kubernetes topics such as custom resource definitions, Helm charts, and cluster security.

  4. 4

    Lead Projects and Teams

    Take on leadership roles, managing Kubernetes projects and mentoring junior engineers to ensure high standards and best practices.

  5. 5

    Influence Cloud Strategy

    Contribute to the overall cloud strategy of your organisation, driving innovation and best practices in cloud-native development.

Live jobs

1 live role

Nebius

Senior/Tech Lead Backend Engineer (Managed Kubernetes)

  • Amsterdam, Netherlands; Berlin, Germany; United Kingdom
  • Lead · manages people

Lead the mk8s Core team building a managed Kubernetes service on Nebius cloud, owning the API, control plane, cluster autoscaling and platform integrations. The role is hands-on: you write and review Go code, lead projects and join on-call, while managing 4-8 engineers and shaping technical vision with product. Work targets scaling to tens of thousands of GPU nodes across 10+ data centers.

Kubernetes · Karpenter · Golang +3

2 weeks ago
FAQs

Common questions

  • Essential skills include a strong understanding of Kubernetes, containerisation technologies like Docker, and cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP. Proficiency in scripting languages like Python or Bash is also important.

  • Responsibilities include designing and implementing Kubernetes clusters, automating deployment and scaling processes, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with development teams to ensure smooth integration.

  • Advance by gaining practical experience, specialising in advanced Kubernetes topics, leading projects, and influencing cloud strategy. Continuous learning and staying updated with the latest trends are key.

  • Salaries for Kubernetes Engineers can vary based on experience and location. For more detailed salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page.

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