Principal Kubernetes Platform Engineer
Job Description
Extreme Networks is seeking a Principal Kubernetes Platform Engineer to lead their Edge Kubernetes Platform development. This is a hands-on technical leadership role that combines deep technical expertise with team leadership responsibilities. The position focuses on building and maintaining enterprise-grade infrastructure solutions, with emphasis on both connected and air-gapped deployments.
The role requires extensive experience in Kubernetes and platform engineering, with the successful candidate expected to serve as the primary technical expert for Kubernetes, Rancher Gov stack, and GitOps practices. Key responsibilities include architecting secure, scalable solutions, implementing GitOps workflows, managing multi-cluster deployments, and ensuring robust upgrade strategies.
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior technologist who combines deep technical knowledge with leadership abilities. The position offers the chance to work with cutting-edge container technologies while leading technical initiatives that directly impact the company's edge computing solutions. The hybrid work environment in Toronto provides flexibility while maintaining collaborative opportunities with the team.
The ideal candidate will bring 10+ years of infrastructure experience, with deep expertise in Kubernetes, containerization, and modern DevOps practices. They should be passionate about building scalable platforms, mentoring others, and driving technical excellence. Experience with edge computing and air-gapped deployments would be particularly valuable for this role.
Responsibilities For Principal Kubernetes Platform Engineer
- Lead the full lifecycle of the platform – from architecture and design through deployment, upgrades, and long-term operations
- Provide technical direction and hands-on expertise in upstream Kubernetes and RKE2
- Architect and manage Rancher for multi-cluster management
- Implement and scale GitOps pipelines using Fleet and ArgoCD
- Manage packaging, distribution, and lifecycle of application bundles in OCI-compliant registries
- Build, optimize, and maintain Helm charts for application packaging
- Enforce security best practices and network segmentation
- Define and execute cluster and platform upgrade strategies
- Partner with product, security, and engineering teams and mentor junior engineers
- Create clear documentation and communicate effectively to all audiences
Requirements For Principal Kubernetes Platform Engineer
- 10+ years of experience in infrastructure or platform engineering
- 5+ years focused on Kubernetes
- Deep hands-on expertise with upstream Kubernetes, RKE2, and Rancher Gov stack
- Experience implementing GitOps workflows with Fleet and/or ArgoCD
- Strong knowledge of OCI bundle management, Helm packaging, and orchestration pipelines
- Expertise in secure infrastructure design, networking, and segmentation strategies
- Demonstrated success in leading teams or initiatives
- Solid background in CI/CD, containerization, and Linux systems
- Excellent problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills
