Summary

The Controls Department in the Accelerator Directorate at Fermilab has an immediate need for a Kubernetes Engineer to develop requirements, perform R&D, and participate in design efforts for control system infrastructure concentrating on Kubernetes Cloud Native technologies. This senior computing services specialist will work within the Accelerator Control Department to build out and maintain the Kubernetes computing platform, integrate storage solutions, modernize the control system infrastructure, as well as assist in migrating legacy services and applications to the Kubernetes environment. This person will work within the team to ensure the smooth integration of the PIP-II control system with the rest of the complex and ensure reliable operation for LBNF/DUNE.

Job description

About the Role

The Controls Department in the Accelerator Directorate at Fermilab has an immediate need for a Kubernetes Engineer to develop requirements, perform R&D, and participate in design efforts for control system infrastructure concentrating on Kubernetes Cloud Native technologies. This senior computing services specialist will work within the Accelerator Control Department to build out and maintain the Kubernetes computing platform, integrate storage solutions, modernize the control system infrastructure, as well as assist in migrating legacy services and applications to the Kubernetes environment. This person will work within the team to ensure the smooth integration of the PIP-II control system with the rest of the complex and ensure reliable operation for LBNF/DUNE.

What your day-to-day as a Kubernetes Engineer will look like

Perform R&D activities on Cloud Native technologies in support of the goal for reliable operations for LBNF/DUNE.
Plan for the evolution of Kubernetes systems and services, including security, cybersecurity, capacity, and logistical planning.
Gather, interpret, and implement user requirements and specify Kubernetes solutions to satisfy requirements for complex and challenging control system infrastructure needs.
Mentor others on the architecture of the infrastructure, design principles, and best practices.
Troubleshoot complex, unique, cutting-edge problems or issues related to the infrastructure where AI cannot help.
Act as a technical subject matter expert and interface with and provide consultation to supporting services, as well as to service and system users.
Operate on-premise Kubernetes and other on-premise Cloud Native products in support of the LBNF/DUNE scientific program. Apply multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills to the design, development, implementation, operation, and documentation of very complex, state-of-the-art information, computing, networking, and storage systems and services to support Accelerator Directorate objectives. Ensure integration of these systems with legacy systems.

Essential Competencies and Attributes for Success

Bachelor of Computer Science or a related field with 5+ years of experience designing, building, and maintaining complex infrastructure systems.

Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

Demonstrated experience with system administration of Linux environments is required.
Experience with installing, configuring, and administering on-premise air-gapped Kubernetes, is required.
Experience with networking and software defined networking is required.
Experience with system configuration management (e.g., Puppet, Chef, Ansible) is required.
Experience with version control management (e.g., git, GitHub, GitLab) is required.
Experience implementing authorization tools and services (e.g., KeyCloak) is required.
Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing is required.
Experience with GitOps methodologies is desired.
Experience developing, managing, and using CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Runners, Jenkins) is required.
Experience with cloud technologies is desired.
Programming experience (e.g., Python, Bash scripting, Go) is desired.
Experience with Ceph or other distributed storage is desired.
Must be self-motivated, have good social skills and time management skills to work with diverse groups of managers, engineers, and scientists.
Experience working in a national laboratory environment is desirable.
Experience with accelerator control systems is a plus.

Work Arrangement

Onsite: This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia office.

Requirements

Bachelor of Computer Science or a related field
5+ years of experience designing, building, and maintaining complex infrastructure systems
Demonstrated experience with system administration of Linux environments
Experience with installing, configuring, and administering on-premise air-gapped Kubernetes
Experience with networking and software defined networking
Experience with system configuration management (e.g., Puppet, Chef, Ansible)
Experience with version control management (e.g., git, GitHub, GitLab)
Experience implementing authorization tools and services (e.g., KeyCloak)
Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing
Experience developing, managing, and using CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Runners, Jenkins)
Must be self-motivated, have good social skills and time management skills to work with diverse groups of managers, engineers, and scientists

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off
Life Insurance
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Retirement Benefits
Onsite Day Care

Company overview

Fermilab, officially known as Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, is a premier particle physics and accelerator laboratory located in Batavia, Illinois. Operated by the Fermi Research Alliance LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy, Fermilab is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the fundamental nature of matter and energy. The laboratory operates world-class particle accelerators, including the Tevatron (formerly the world's highest-energy particle collider) and currently hosts the Muon g-2 experiment and the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). Fermilab's research focuses on neutrino physics, dark matter studies, quantum science, and accelerator technology development. As one of the leading particle physics laboratories globally, Fermilab collaborates with thousands of scientists from institutions worldwide and plays a crucial role in international high-energy physics research. The laboratory also maintains strong educational outreach programs and contributes to technological innovations with applications beyond fundamental science.