Kubernetes Engineer Jobs

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

Open roles
4
Salary range
221k – 384k
Hiring companies
5

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.
Salary on the board

221k – 384k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 3 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
36% of listings advertise a salary.
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 1 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Kubernetes
100%
AWS
100%
Terraform
100%
Ansible
100%
Linux
100%
Infrastructure as Code
100%
CI/CD
100%
Monitoring
100%
Disaster Recovery
100%
Bash
100%
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

4 live roles

Infrastructure Engineer - Kubernetes, AWS

This role involves designing, implementing, and supporting modern platform infrastructure across on-premise and cloud environments, with a strong focus on Kubernetes and infrastructure automation. The engineer will lead transformation projects, improve system resilience and monitoring, and collaborate with software teams to enhance deployment processes. It is a hands-on position offering technical leadership and mentorship within a modernising enterprise platform environment.

Akkodis Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom £65,000 – £72,000 pa
Hybrid Contract

Platform Engineer - Opensource/ Kubernetes

Job Title: Platform Engineer - Redhat Openshift and KubernetesLocation: London or ManchesterRate: up to £580 a day Inside IR35Start Date: Beginning of AugJob Type: Contract 6 months - 2 days onsite (ideally on a Tuesday as one of the days)We're...

Square One Resources London, United Kingdom £550 – £580 pd

Cloud Platform Engineer - OpenShift Kubernetes

Cloud Platform Engineer (OpenShift / Kubernetes)Initially 6 monthsManchester or Knowsley (Hybrid - 2 days onsite / 3 remote)£550 per day - Inside IR35PCR Digital is supporting a leading UK technology and communications organisation as they continue a major infrastructure transformation...

PCR Digital Manchester, United Kingdom £500 – £550 pd

Senior Cloud Platform Engineer (GCP | Kubernetes | DevSecOps)

The position works closely with IAM architects, business stakeholders and technology partners.In this role, you will:Build and maintain cloud-native platform services supporting the IDAM 2.0 programme.Design, deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters and supporting platform components.Develop Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for...

GCS Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom £600 – £620 pd
Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

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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