Kubernetes Engineer

The expected hiring range for this position is:

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

This position can potentially offer relocation.

About the Role:

The Controls Department in the Accelerator Directorate at Fermilab has an immediate need for an experienced Kubernetes Platform Infrastructure Engineer to develop requirements, perform R&D, and design infrastructure concentrating on Kubernetes Cloud Native technologies. The particle accelerator control system will be hosted on the Kubernetes platform. This senior computing services specialist will work within the Accelerator Control Department to build out and maintain the Kubernetes computing platform, integrate storage solutions, modernize the control system infrastructure. This person will work within the team to ensure the smooth integration of the PIP-II control system with the rest of the complex and ensure reliable operation for LBNF/DUNE.

What your day-to-day as a Kubernetes Platform Infrastructure Engineer will look like:

• Perform R&D activities on Cloud Native technologies in support of the goal for reliable operations for LBNF/DUNE.
• Plan for the evolution of Kubernetes systems and services, including security, cybersecurity, capacity, and logistical planning.
• Gather, interpret, and implement user requirements and specify Kubernetes solutions to satisfy requirements for complex and challenging control system infrastructure needs.
• Mentor others on the architecture of the infrastructure, design principles, and best practices.
• Troubleshoot complex, unique, cutting-edge problems or issues related to the infrastructure where AI cannot help.
• Act as a technical subject matter expert and interface with and provide consultation to supporting services, as well as to service and system users.
• Operate on-premise Kubernetes and other on-premise Cloud Native products in support of the LBNF/DUNE scientific program.
• Apply multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills to the design, development, implementation, operation, and documentation of very complex, state-of-the-art information, computing, networking, and storage systems and services to support Accelerator Directorate objectives. Ensure integration of these systems with legacy systems.

Essential Competencies and Attributes for Success:

• Bachelor of Computer Science or a related field with 5+ years of experience designing, building, and maintaining complex infrastructure systems.

Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Demonstrated experience documenting and communicating architecture decisions to a broad audience.
• Experience with installing, configuring, and administering on-premise air-gapped Kubernetes for production use, is required.
• Experience with networking and software-defined networking (SDN) is required.
• Experience with system administration of Linux environments is required.
• Experience with system configuration management (e.g., Puppet, Chef, Ansible) is required.
• Experience with version control management (e.g., git, GitHub, GitLab) is required.
• Experience implementing authorization tools and services (e.g., KeyCloak) is required.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing is required.
• Experience integrating observability tools into the infrastructure is desired
• Experience with GitOps methodologies is desired.
• Experience with cloud technologies is desired.
• Programming experience (e.g., Python, Bash scripting, Go) is desired.
• Experience with Ceph or other distributed storage is desired.
• Experience developing, managing, and using CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Runners, Jenkins) is desired.
• Must be self-motivated, have good social skills and time management skills to work with diverse groups of managers, engineers, and scientists.
• Experience working in a national laboratory environment is desirable.
• Experience with accelerator control systems is a plus.

Work Arrangement:

• Onsite: This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia office.

Benefits/Perks:
Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Account
• Paid time-off
• Life insurance
• Short and Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Onsite day care

Why Fermilab: 
Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

Pre-Employment Screening:

Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening  

Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug-free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

HSPD-12

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Foreign Government Sponsored Activities

Fermilab employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. Such individuals will be asked to disclose any participation for review by Fermilab's Office of General Counsel.

REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus
Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview. 

Equal Opportunity Statement   

Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.