Lead DevOps Engineer – Kubernetes & Linux Specialist (Part‑Time, Remote) – $26 /hr – arenaflex

About arenaflex

arenaflex is a global technology leader that empowers businesses to innovate at the speed of the digital age. With a portfolio that spans cloud infrastructure, software platforms, and cutting‑edge services, arenaflex helps customers transform their operations, accelerate time‑to‑market, and deliver exceptional experiences. Our commitment to continuous improvement, diversity of thought, and a collaborative culture makes arenaflex a place where ambitious professionals can shape the future of technology while enjoying a supportive, inclusive environment.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Lead DevOps Engineer to join our Infrastructure Services Group (ISG) TechOps team on a part‑time, remote basis. This role is focused on designing, operating, and evolving our Kubernetes‑based platforms (OpenShift, VMware Tanzu, and Farmer) that power critical IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS offerings. As a technical leader, you will drive best‑in‑class practices, mentor junior engineers, and ensure that our cloud‑native services are reliable, secure, and performant 24 × 7.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and enhance the core Kubernetes platform stack, ensuring compliance with industry standards and internal best practices.
• Act as the subject‑matter expert for “Kubernetes as a Service,” providing guidance to internal customers on request‑based K8s clusters across on‑premise environments (OpenShift, Tanzu, Farmer).
• Implement and enforce GitOps policies for automated cluster provisioning, configuration management, and day‑2 lifecycle operations using tools such as ArgoCD and Jenkins.
• Collaborate with security teams to embed and validate security controls throughout the platform, including role‑based access, network policies, and vulnerability scanning.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation: architecture diagrams, runbooks, SOPs, and disaster‑recovery procedures.
• Design and execute backup and recovery strategies, leveraging solutions like Velero and MinIO to meet RPO/RTO objectives.
• Deploy, configure, and troubleshoot Linux operating systems on both physical and virtual servers, ensuring optimal performance for container workloads.
• Investigate and resolve complex issues related to Kubernetes objects (pods, services, namespaces, replica sets, daemon sets, schedulers, etc.).
• Provide mentorship and technical leadership to junior DevOps engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
• Partner with product development teams to streamline CI/CD pipelines, automate testing, and accelerate feature delivery.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3‑5 years of hands‑on experience managing production‑grade Kubernetes environments (OpenShift, Tanzu, or Farmer).
• Deep understanding of Linux system administration, including kernel tuning, networking, storage, and security.
• Proven expertise with GitOps workflows and CI/CD tooling such as ArgoCD, Jenkins, or similar platforms.
• Strong scripting/programming skills in YAML, Python, and Bash/PowerShell for automation and configuration management.
• Experience with infrastructure‑as‑code tools (Ansible, Terraform, or AWX) and container orchestration best practices.
• Solid grasp of networking concepts, load balancers (NGINX, HAProxy, ALB), and service mesh technologies.
• Hands‑on experience with backup and disaster‑recovery solutions (Velero, MinIO, etc.).
• Excellent problem‑solving abilities, with a track record of diagnosing and resolving production incidents quickly and effectively.
• Strong communication skills, capable of translating technical concepts for both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Red Hat OpenShift certifications (e.g., Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Administration).
• Kubernetes certifications such as CKA, CKAD, or CKS.
• Experience with VMware Tanzu, Rancher, or other enterprise Kubernetes distributions.
• Familiarity with ServiceNow, Jira, or other ITSM platforms for incident and change management.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid cloud architectures.
• Exposure to security frameworks (CIS Benchmarks, NIST) and compliance requirements (PCI‑DSS, GDPR).
• Previous work in a globally distributed, remote‑first team environment.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Technical Leadership: Ability to guide teams through complex technical challenges and drive architectural decisions.
• Automation Mindset: Passion for building repeatable, reliable processes that reduce manual effort.
• Collaboration: Strong partnership skills with developers, security engineers, product owners, and operations teams.
• Adaptability: Comfort working in a fast‑paced environment where priorities shift rapidly.
• Customer Focus: Commitment to delivering high‑quality services that meet internal stakeholder expectations.
• Continuous Learning: Proactive pursuit of new technologies, certifications, and industry trends.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

arenaflex invests heavily in the professional development of its employees. As a Lead DevOps Engineer, you will have access to:

• Mentorship programs with senior architects and industry experts.
• Funding for certifications (e.g., Red Hat, CNCF) and conference attendance.
• Internal training labs for hands‑on experimentation with emerging cloud‑native technologies.
• Opportunities to lead cross‑functional initiatives, expanding your influence beyond the TechOps team.
• A clear career ladder that can transition you into senior architecture, platform engineering management, or specialized security roles.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

Our remote‑first policy means you can work from anywhere in the United States while staying connected through modern collaboration tools. arenaflex fosters a culture built on:

• Inclusivity: Diverse teams where every voice is heard and respected.
• Innovation: Encouragement to experiment, fail fast, and iterate.
• Work‑Life Balance: Flexible scheduling, 8‑hour shifts, and generous paid time off.
• Community: Virtual coffee chats, hackathons, and employee resource groups.
• Transparency: Regular town‑halls and open communication from leadership.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

arenaflex offers a competitive hourly rate of $26 per hour for this part‑time role, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with options for family plans.
• Group life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment coverage.
• Global travel medical insurance for occasional on‑site visits.
• Crisis travel assistance and employee assistance programs.
• Remote‑work stipend to cover home‑office equipment and internet costs.
• 29 days per year of “work‑from‑anywhere” leave, allowing you to explore new locations while staying productive.
• Meal vouchers or a corporate lunch card.
• Wellness benefits such as Multisport cards, health programs, and language‑learning courses.
• Employee referral bonuses and recognition programs that celebrate outstanding contributions.

How to Apply

If you are ready to lead a high‑impact DevOps team, shape the future of arenaflex’s cloud platforms, and enjoy the flexibility of a part‑time remote role, we want to hear from you. Submit your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and why you’re excited about this opportunity.

Apply Now