Part‑Time Lead DevOps Engineer – Kubernetes & Linux Specialist – Remote (Seattle) – $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 heritage of delivering cutting‑edge infrastructure, cloud platforms, and software solutions, arenaflex helps customers transform their operations, accelerate time‑to‑market, and achieve measurable impact. Our culture blends relentless technical excellence with a deep commitment to employee well‑being, diversity, and continuous learning. Whether you are joining a small, high‑performing team or collaborating across continents, you will be part of a purpose‑driven organization that values curiosity, collaboration, and the courage to push boundaries.

Role Overview

arenaflex is seeking a highly motivated Lead DevOps Engineer to join our Platform Services Delivery (ISG) TechOps team on a part‑time basis. This role is fully remote, with a primary location in Seattle, USA, and offers a competitive hourly rate of $26. As a Kubernetes and Linux specialist, you will own the design, implementation, and operational excellence of our on‑premise and hybrid cloud platforms, ensuring they are secure, resilient, and aligned with best‑in‑class practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and evolve the core Kubernetes platform stacks built on OpenShift, VMware Tanzu, and Farmer, adhering to industry‑standard guidelines and internal policies.
• Serve as the subject‑matter expert for “Kubernetes as a Service,” providing guidance to internal stakeholders on on‑demand cluster provisioning, lifecycle management, and performance tuning.
• Implement GitOps workflows to automate cluster provisioning, configuration management, and day‑2 operations using tools such as ArgoCD and Jenkins.
• Enforce security policies across the platform, ensuring compliance with internal audit standards and external regulatory requirements.
• Document project requirements, design specifications, and operational runbooks to facilitate knowledge sharing and smooth hand‑offs.
• Design and implement disaster recovery strategies, including backup and restore processes with Velero, MiniIO, and related technologies.
• Manage Linux system administration on both physical and virtual servers, handling installation, patching, and troubleshooting of operating systems, middleware, and applications.
• Diagnose and resolve complex issues related to Kubernetes objects such as deployments, services, namespaces, replica sets, daemon sets, and schedulers.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams—including development, security, networking, and product management—to drive platform modernization initiatives.
• Mentor junior engineers, conduct technical workshops, and champion best practices in containerization, automation, and observability.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven experience designing, building, and operating large‑scale Kubernetes environments (OpenShift, Tanzu, or similar).
• Strong hands‑on expertise with Linux system administration on both bare‑metal and virtualized infrastructures.
• Deep understanding of cloud‑native architectures, including microservices, container orchestration, and service mesh concepts.
• Solid experience with CI/CD pipelines, particularly using Jenkins, ArgoCD, or comparable tools.
• Proficiency in scripting and automation languages such as Python, Bash, and YAML for infrastructure as code.
• Experience with configuration management tools like Ansible, AWX, or Terraform.
• Knowledge of networking fundamentals, load balancers (NGINX, HAProxy, ALB), and security controls.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex production incidents, perform root‑cause analysis, and implement preventive measures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Red Hat OpenShift certifications (e.g., Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Administration).
• Kubernetes certifications such as CKA, CKAD, or CKS.
• Hands‑on experience with VMware Tanzu, Rancher, or other enterprise‑grade Kubernetes distributions.
• Familiarity with ServiceNow, Jira, and Infoblox for ticketing, change management, and DNS automation.
• Experience implementing disaster recovery solutions using Velero, Restic, or similar tools.
• Exposure to monitoring and observability stacks (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK/EFK).
• Background in networking and security technologies such as Calico, NSX‑T, or OVN.
• Previous work in a remote or distributed team environment, demonstrating self‑discipline and effective time management.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Technical Leadership: Ability to guide teams through complex platform migrations and drive adoption of best‑in‑class DevOps practices.
• Problem‑Solving: Analytical mindset to dissect intricate system failures and devise scalable, repeatable solutions.
• Automation‑First Mentality: Passion for reducing manual toil through code, scripts, and declarative configurations.
• Collaboration: Strong partnership skills to work closely with product owners, developers, and security engineers.
• Continuous Learning: Commitment to staying current with emerging technologies, industry trends, and open‑source innovations.
• Customer‑Centric Focus: Understanding of how platform reliability directly impacts business outcomes and end‑user experience.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

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

• Mentorship programs with senior architects and industry veterans.
• Sponsored certifications (e.g., CKA, OpenShift, AWS, Azure) and tuition reimbursement for advanced coursework.
• Internal hackathons, innovation labs, and knowledge‑sharing sessions to explore emerging technologies.
• Opportunities to transition into full‑time roles, senior architecture positions, or product leadership tracks based on performance and business needs.
• Cross‑functional project exposure, allowing you to broaden your skill set beyond Kubernetes into areas like data engineering, AI/ML platform support, and security operations.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

Our remote‑first philosophy empowers you to work from anywhere while staying connected through modern collaboration tools. arenaflex fosters an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are celebrated, and every voice matters. Key cultural pillars include:

• Flexibility: Choose your preferred work hours within the 8‑hour daily window, and enjoy the freedom to work from home or co‑working spaces.
• Well‑Being: Comprehensive mental‑health resources, wellness stipends, and regular virtual social events to keep you balanced and engaged.
• Transparency: Open communication channels with leadership, regular town‑halls, and clear visibility into company goals and performance.
• Innovation: A sandbox environment where you can experiment with new tools, propose platform improvements, and see your ideas materialize.
• Community: Employee resource groups, mentorship circles, and volunteer initiatives that encourage giving back and building lasting relationships.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

arenaflex offers a competitive hourly rate of $26, complemented by a robust benefits package designed for part‑time employees:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with options for individual or 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 program (EAP) for personal support.
• Remote‑work stipend to cover home‑office equipment, internet, and ergonomic accessories.
• 29 days per year of “work‑from‑anywhere” leave, allowing you to experience new cultures while staying productive.
• Meal vouchers or prepaid lunch cards, as well as a wellness allowance for fitness or mindfulness activities.
• Multi‑sport or benefit‑card options for recreational pursuits.
• Language‑learning courses to help you expand your global communication skills.
• Discounts on arenaflex products and services, plus a referral bonus program for successful hires.

How to Apply

If you are ready to shape the future of cloud‑native platforms, mentor emerging talent, and make a tangible impact on arenaflex’s mission, we want to hear from you. Submit your resume, a brief cover letter highlighting your most relevant experience, and any certifications you hold. Our recruitment team will review your application promptly and reach out to schedule a virtual interview.

Join arenaflex today and become part of a forward‑thinking community that values expertise, curiosity, and the drive to deliver excellence.