GKE / Kubernetes Platform Engineer (Onsite – UK)
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Kubernetes Platform Engineer / GKE Specialist to support a large-scale cloud migration and platform standardization initiative. The role involves designing, consolidating, and optimizing Kubernetes environments across Google Cloud (GKE) and Azure, improving developer experience, ensuring compliance, and driving platform automation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform discovery and assessment of existing clusters, workloads, and namespaces.
- Design standardized Kubernetes platform blueprints.
- Lead migration and consolidation of workloads across environments.
- Implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform and Helm.
- Integrate CI/CD pipelines (Harness, GitHub Actions) for automated deployment.
- Ensure compliance with CIS benchmarks and internal security standards.
- Establish observability with Prometheus, Grafana, and Dynatrace.
- Configure and optimize networking using NGINX Ingress and Istio service mesh.
- Provide technical enablement, documentation, and training to development teams.
- Optimize cost and resource utilization across environments.
Key Objectives
- Reduce Kubernetes cluster sprawl and operational inefficiencies.
- Standardize Kubernetes architecture across multiple environments.
- Improve developer experience and platform scalability.
- Enable migration to container-native and serverless workloads.
- Execute phased migration with minimal business impact.
- Decommission legacy Kubernetes environments (Cloud 1.0).
Experience Range
- Total Experience: 8–12 years
- Kubernetes / GKE Hands-on Experience: Minimum 4 years
Required Skills & Experience:
Core Technical Expertise
- Kubernetes / GKE SME with hands-on cluster management and operations.
- Strong experience with Terraform and Helm for infrastructure automation.
- CI/CD integration with Harness, GitHub Actions, or similar tools.
- Proficiency in Java, Python, or Go – experience building Kubernetes Operators preferred.
Cloud Proficiency
- Deep expertise in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for migrations to GKE.
- Solid understanding of Azure Cloud for hybrid and multi-cloud setups.
Security & Compliance
- Knowledge of RBAC, network policies, and Vault secrets management.
- CIS benchmark alignment and audit readiness.
Observability & Operations
- Experience with Prometheus, Grafana, Loki, Dynatrace.
- Familiar with incident, problem, and change management frameworks.
Networking
- Ingress controllers (NGINX) and service mesh (Istio).
- DNS, load balancing, and secure inter-service communication.
Cost & Resource Optimization
- Hands-on experience with autoscaling, resource quotas, and spot instance optimization.
Soft Skills
- Strong problem-solving and analytical mindset.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement.
- Ability to work independently and lead cross-functional teams.
- Proven track record in high-availability production environments.
Preferred Tools / Technologies
Aqua Security | Dynatrace | ServiceNow | GitHub Actions | Harness | Vault | Terraform | Helm | Prometheus | Grafana | Istio | NGINX
Simplex-Services, headquartered in Brighton, formed in 2014, specialises in information technology consulting and the implementation of IT services across all industries. Our agile, dynamic teams of IT and business strategy enablers allow us to cut across the limitations of large-scale organisations by delivering services and solutions with speed, precision and flexibility. With over 100 years of corporate experience amongst our founding members, we offer our clients immediate advice and tailored solutions to your strategy. With a fresh approach to IT and practical awareness that any solution needs to be end user-centric and aligned to a strategy, Simplex Services have the capabilities to resolve small- and large- scale projects, whether in-house or through smart source frameworks.
Share your resume at careers@simplex-services.com, if interested.
