senior software engineer - container & kubernetes expert

About the Position

Svitla Systems Inc. is looking for a Technical Lead for a full-time position (40 hours per week) in Ukraine. Our client is an innovative San Francisco-based company that developed a software attack surface optimization platform to help organizations minimize cyberattacks. The company's platform reduces vulnerability and patch management backlogs and prioritizes AI-powered risk management, enabling businesses to mitigate both known and unknown vulnerabilities in their workloads. This software attack surface optimization platform remediates 95% of software vulnerabilities in minutes without code changes. It reduces development costs and shortens release cycles while ensuring compliance with federal and industry regulations. The solution integrates seamlessly with existing workflows and technology stacks, making it a versatile option for various organizations. It is designed to work with open-source software, reducing the risks associated with software supply chains.

We are looking for a Lead for the Engineering Team who excels in Linux-based environments (writing and debugging shell scripts) and has deep experience with containerization and proficiency with CLI, infrastructure management, and backend services. You will focus on building robust systems using Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, REST APIs, CLI, writing and debugging Helm charts, while also contributing to architecture, scalability, and infrastructure optimization.

Important: No overlapping hours are required. However, the ability to work asynchronously and deliver with minimal guidance is crucial. All meetings are scheduled around 9 AM Pacific Time, which should not require live attendance.

Responsibilities

Container Image Ownership

• Design, build, and maintain curated, secure Docker images across various OS and frameworks (Alpine, Ubuntu, Python, Golang, Java)
• Implement and manage CI/CD pipelines for automated image building, CVE scanning, and registry publishing
• Ensure images are minimal, reproducible, and compliant with security standards
• Manage image lifecycle: versioning, patching, metadata tracking, and deprecation

Kubernetes Operations & Troubleshooting

• Debug and resolve complex Kubernetes issues in production environments independently
• Troubleshoot pod failures, networking problems, resource constraints, and performance issues
• Deploy and maintain applications in Kubernetes clusters using Helm, Kustomize
• Monitor cluster health and implement observability solutions
• Optimize resource utilization and scaling configurations

Automation & Infrastructure

• Build infrastructure-as-code (IaC) for automated deployments and test environments
• Develop automation scripts and tools to eliminate manual work
• Create tooling and documentation for developers to consume curated images safely
• Implement security scanning, SBOM generation, and compliance checks

Collaboration

• Work with Security teams on image hardening and compliance (FIPS, CIS Benchmarks)
• Partner with platform teams on Kubernetes best practices
• Consult with architects and developers on complex design decisions when needed
• Provide guidance to development teams on containerization strategies

Requirements

Core Technical Skills

• 4+ years of hands-on Kubernetes experience - must be able to debug complex K8s issues independently
• Expert-level Docker knowledge - container optimization, multi-stage builds, layer caching
• Strong experience with Helm charts, Kustomize, or similar Kubernetes deployment tools
• Proficiency in Python, Bash, or Go for automation and scripting
• Deep understanding of Linux systems, networking, and troubleshooting

DevOps Expertise

• CI/CD implementation (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, ArgoCD)
• Container security scanning tools (Trivy, Clair, Grype)
• Infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Ansible, or similar)
• Experience with container registries (Harbor, ECR, DockerHub)
• Monitoring and logging tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack)

Problem-Solving

• Proven ability to troubleshoot production issues independently
• Experience debugging distributed systems and microservices
• Strong analytical skills for performance optimization
• Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision

Nice to Have

• Experience with multi-arch builds and custom build systems (Bazel, Makefiles)
• Supply chain security knowledge (Cosign, Sigstore, SLSA)
• Experience in high-scale or regulated environments
• Kubernetes CKA/CKAD certification
• Contributions to open-source container/Kubernetes projects

We Offer

• US and EU projects based on advanced technologies.
• Competitive compensation based on skills and experience.
• Regular performance appraisals to support your growth.
• Flexibility in workspace, either remote or in one of our development offices.
• Comprehensive medical insurance, including dental and massages.
• Personalized learning program tailored to your interests and skill development.
• Sport reimbursement program for onsite and online activities.
• Bonuses for recommendations of new employees.
• Bonuses for article writing, public talks, and other activities.
• 20 vacation days, 10 national holidays, and 5 sick leaves.
• Maternity leave policy and family days off.
• Free tech webinars and meetups organized by Svitla.
• Welcome and anniversary presents, gifts for children, and more.
• Regular corporate events and meetups.
• Awesome team, friendly and supportive community!

About the Company

Svitla Systems is a global digital solutions company headquartered in the U.S. and operating across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and APAC. Since 2003, we have served a wide range of clients - from innovative start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Our success is built on partnership. By integrating seamlessly with clients' teams, we create lasting collaborations that drive real results. We are strong advocates of workplace flexibility, remote culture, individual approach to professional and personal growth.

Our global mission is to build a business that contributes to the wellbeing of our partners, personnel, and their families, improves our communities, and makes a lasting difference in the world. Together, we are coding a brighter tomorrow - and living it.

Join us!