Job Requirements
Remote Charleston, SC
Secret Polygraph not specified
Mid Level Career (5+ yrs experience)
$125,000 - $175,000
Job Description
Job #: 3057234
Apex Systems is currently hiring a Kubernetes Engineer / SME – Cloud Native Infrastructure & Automation. This position will serve as a senior technical resource responsible for designing, implementing, managing, and optimizing enterprise-grade Kubernetes environments within the Operations department. The ideal candidate will bring deep hands-on experience in Kubernetes orchestration, cloud-native infrastructure, cluster operations, and automation, including multi-cluster environments, networking, workload deployment, and modern DevOps practices.
Project Details / Mission Supported:
Serve as a senior technical authority and SME for Kubernetes architecture, orchestration, operations, and best practices.
Architect, deploy, manage, and optimize Kubernetes clusters across bare-metal, virtualized, and multi-cloud environments.
Leverage GitOps delivery pipelines using Argo CD or Flux to automate infrastructure state, cluster add-ons, and workload deployments across multi-cluster environments.
Configure, tune, and troubleshoot cluster networking, including Container Network Interfaces (CNIs), ingress controllers, and service mesh architectures.
Build and optimize monitoring, logging, and tracing frameworks to support cluster reliability and workload visibility.
Troubleshoot complex Kubernetes issues involving networking, scheduling, storage, performance, control plane components, and node health.
Collaborate with application teams to onboard workloads, establish deployment patterns, and optimize resource utilization.
Develop documentation, standards, and reusable automation templates to create consistency and repeatability across environments.
Provide technical leadership, knowledge transfer, training, and mentorship to junior engineers and cross-functional teams.
Qualified candidates will have the following experience and skills:
BS degree in a relevant technical field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
5+ years of hands-on experience working with Kubernetes, containerized environments, DevOps, cloud infrastructure, or related technologies, including significant experience designing, provisioning, and administering production Kubernetes environments.
Deep, hands-on Kubernetes experience with a strong emphasis on container orchestration, including cluster architecture and operations, workload deployment, and infrastructure components.
Demonstrated experience independently troubleshooting and supporting enterprise Kubernetes environments.
Familiarity with managed Kubernetes platforms such as AKS, EKS, or GKE.
Solid understanding of containers and container build processes using technologies such as Docker, Podman, or Buildah.
Strong troubleshooting skills involving Kubernetes networking, storage, scheduling, node health, and control plane issues.
Experience with service mesh technologies such as Istio or Linkerd and/or ingress controllers such as NGINX, HAProxy, or Traefik.
Experience with Helm charts, Kustomize, and Kubernetes Operators.
Knowledge of Kubernetes security tooling such as OPA/Gatekeeper, Kyverno, or Falco.
Strong experience with automation and Infrastructure as Code tooling such as Ansible or Terraform.
Proficiency with Git, Jenkins, YAML, CI/CD pipelines, GitOps, and modern DevOps workflows.
Familiarity with DoD compliance and security frameworks, including DISA STIGs, SCAP, and RMF.
Strong communication and documentation skills, with the ability to explain complex Kubernetes concepts to both technical and cross-functional teams.
Ability to obtain the following certifications within 3 months of start date:
CompTIA Security+ CE
Professional Scrum Developer or Certified Scrum Developer
Preferred certifications include:
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
Location: Charleston, SC
Onsite expectation: Sliding hybrid scale, with onsite versus remote work determined by customer, program, and operational requirements.
Clearance Level: Must be eligible to obtain and/or maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance.
Salary/Pay range: $125,000–$175,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
Travel: Up to 10%, on rare occasions.
PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must be able to obtain and/or maintain a DoD Secret security clearance as a condition and continuation of employment.*
If you are interested, please email your updated resume, relevant certification(s), and availability for a call to Emma at emungo@apexsystems.com.
Apex Systems Military & Veteran Programs
At Apex Systems, we are proud to support those who serve. Our commitment to the military community is reflected in our robust veteran hiring initiatives, military-friendly workplace policies, and nationally recognized programs. We value the leadership, discipline, and mission-first mindset that military professionals bring to our team. Join us in continuing your mission.
Why Apex is a Top Choice for Veterans and Military Talent:
Military-Friendly Employer: Recognized as a Military Friendly® Employer for multiple consecutive years.
Transition Programs: DoD Skill Bridge program with multiple pathway options.
Veteran Hiring Commitment: We actively partner with multiple veteran and military organizations that specialize in IT upskilling and certification training, helping service members and veterans transition into high-demand tech careers
Apex Military Network: Internal employee resource group supporting veterans, Guard/Reserve members, and their families.
Apex Benefits Overview
Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Apex team member can provide.
Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing® in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work® in the United Kingdom and Mexico.
Everforth Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click here for more details. By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Everforth Apex and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at https://www.apexsystems.com/privacy-policy
Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.
Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.
If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at accommodations@apexsystems.com or 804-523-8228. Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.
UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex Systems.
Apex Systems is currently hiring a Kubernetes Engineer / SME – Cloud Native Infrastructure & Automation. This position will serve as a senior technical resource responsible for designing, implementing, managing, and optimizing enterprise-grade Kubernetes environments within the Operations department. The ideal candidate will bring deep hands-on experience in Kubernetes orchestration, cloud-native infrastructure, cluster operations, and automation, including multi-cluster environments, networking, workload deployment, and modern DevOps practices.
Project Details / Mission Supported:
Serve as a senior technical authority and SME for Kubernetes architecture, orchestration, operations, and best practices.
Architect, deploy, manage, and optimize Kubernetes clusters across bare-metal, virtualized, and multi-cloud environments.
Leverage GitOps delivery pipelines using Argo CD or Flux to automate infrastructure state, cluster add-ons, and workload deployments across multi-cluster environments.
Configure, tune, and troubleshoot cluster networking, including Container Network Interfaces (CNIs), ingress controllers, and service mesh architectures.
Build and optimize monitoring, logging, and tracing frameworks to support cluster reliability and workload visibility.
Troubleshoot complex Kubernetes issues involving networking, scheduling, storage, performance, control plane components, and node health.
Collaborate with application teams to onboard workloads, establish deployment patterns, and optimize resource utilization.
Develop documentation, standards, and reusable automation templates to create consistency and repeatability across environments.
Provide technical leadership, knowledge transfer, training, and mentorship to junior engineers and cross-functional teams.
Qualified candidates will have the following experience and skills:
BS degree in a relevant technical field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
5+ years of hands-on experience working with Kubernetes, containerized environments, DevOps, cloud infrastructure, or related technologies, including significant experience designing, provisioning, and administering production Kubernetes environments.
Deep, hands-on Kubernetes experience with a strong emphasis on container orchestration, including cluster architecture and operations, workload deployment, and infrastructure components.
Demonstrated experience independently troubleshooting and supporting enterprise Kubernetes environments.
Familiarity with managed Kubernetes platforms such as AKS, EKS, or GKE.
Solid understanding of containers and container build processes using technologies such as Docker, Podman, or Buildah.
Strong troubleshooting skills involving Kubernetes networking, storage, scheduling, node health, and control plane issues.
Experience with service mesh technologies such as Istio or Linkerd and/or ingress controllers such as NGINX, HAProxy, or Traefik.
Experience with Helm charts, Kustomize, and Kubernetes Operators.
Knowledge of Kubernetes security tooling such as OPA/Gatekeeper, Kyverno, or Falco.
Strong experience with automation and Infrastructure as Code tooling such as Ansible or Terraform.
Proficiency with Git, Jenkins, YAML, CI/CD pipelines, GitOps, and modern DevOps workflows.
Familiarity with DoD compliance and security frameworks, including DISA STIGs, SCAP, and RMF.
Strong communication and documentation skills, with the ability to explain complex Kubernetes concepts to both technical and cross-functional teams.
Ability to obtain the following certifications within 3 months of start date:
CompTIA Security+ CE
Professional Scrum Developer or Certified Scrum Developer
Preferred certifications include:
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
Location: Charleston, SC
Onsite expectation: Sliding hybrid scale, with onsite versus remote work determined by customer, program, and operational requirements.
Clearance Level: Must be eligible to obtain and/or maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance.
Salary/Pay range: $125,000–$175,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
Travel: Up to 10%, on rare occasions.
PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must be able to obtain and/or maintain a DoD Secret security clearance as a condition and continuation of employment.*
If you are interested, please email your updated resume, relevant certification(s), and availability for a call to Emma at emungo@apexsystems.com.
Apex Systems Military & Veteran Programs
At Apex Systems, we are proud to support those who serve. Our commitment to the military community is reflected in our robust veteran hiring initiatives, military-friendly workplace policies, and nationally recognized programs. We value the leadership, discipline, and mission-first mindset that military professionals bring to our team. Join us in continuing your mission.
Why Apex is a Top Choice for Veterans and Military Talent:
Military-Friendly Employer: Recognized as a Military Friendly® Employer for multiple consecutive years.
Transition Programs: DoD Skill Bridge program with multiple pathway options.
Veteran Hiring Commitment: We actively partner with multiple veteran and military organizations that specialize in IT upskilling and certification training, helping service members and veterans transition into high-demand tech careers
Apex Military Network: Internal employee resource group supporting veterans, Guard/Reserve members, and their families.
Apex Benefits Overview
Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Apex team member can provide.
Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing® in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work® in the United Kingdom and Mexico.
Everforth Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click here for more details. By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Everforth Apex and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at https://www.apexsystems.com/privacy-policy
Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.
Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.
If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at accommodations@apexsystems.com or 804-523-8228. Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.
UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex Systems.
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