Kubernetes Architect

Kubernetes Architect

Location is Hybrid. The start date is ASAP for this contract position.

Job Title: Kubernetes Architect Location-Type: Hybrid (Herndon, VA, Austin, TX, or Newtown Square, PA – Tuesday through Thursday Onsite) Start Date Is: ASAP Duration: 12-Month Contract (Opportunity to Extend or Convert) Compensation Range: $60/hr – $70/hr W2 Benefits: Eligible for Health, Dental, Vision, 401K Must be authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Job Description

Seeking a Kubernetes Architect to lead the design, documentation, and modernization of a cloud-native software delivery platform supporting highly regulated environments. This role combines hands-on Kubernetes engineering with architecture, SDLC documentation, and executive communication. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable building and hardening production Kubernetes environments as they are interviewing engineers, documenting complex processes, and presenting technical recommendations to security, operations, and executive leadership.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Design, architect, and optimize Kubernetes platforms across AWS, Azure, and GCP
• Build, prototype, and harden containerized workloads using Docker and Kubernetes
• Evaluate and improve software delivery lifecycle (SDLC) processes from development through customer deployment
• Interview engineering teams to understand current development and deployment practices
• Create architecture diagrams, runbooks, standards, implementation guides, and SDLC documentation
• Partner with engineering, security, compliance, and operations teams to establish platform standards and best practices
• Participate in design reviews, technical assessments, and proof-of-concept initiatives
• Improve CI/CD pipelines with a focus on reliability, security, compliance, and automation
• Implement secure monitoring and observability practices across cloud environments
• Present technical findings and recommendations to both engineering teams and executive stakeholders
• Serve as the Kubernetes and containerization subject matter expert across the organization

Minimum Requirements

• 7–10 years of experience in Kubernetes, Platform Engineering, Cloud Architecture, or Infrastructure Engineering
• Hands-on production experience designing, building, and supporting Kubernetes environments
• Strong Docker and containerization experience, including container hardening
• Experience across AWS, Azure, and/or GCP cloud environments
• Deep understanding of the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), including CI/CD, version control, testing, and release management
• Experience producing architecture diagrams, runbooks, standards, and implementation documentation
• Strong understanding of cloud networking, IAM, security, storage, and compute services
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting to both technical and executive audiences
• Bachelor's degree (required for conversion)

Preferred Qualifications:

• FedRAMP or other government compliance experience
• Experience supporting government, defense, or mission-critical environments
• Infrastructure as Code experience (Terraform, Ansible, Helm)
• Service mesh, observability, secrets management, or cloud-native security experience
• Experience leading platform modernization initiatives
• Experience mentoring engineers and driving engineering best practices