[Hiring] Senior Platform Engineer @Research Triangle Institute

Role Description

As a Senior Platform Engineer, you will play a key role in building and advancing cloud-native platform capabilities, with a focus on Kubernetes, infrastructure automation, CI/CD, observability, security, and platform reliability. You will work across teams to modernize technology environments, solve complex infrastructure challenges, and establish scalable and sustainable platform engineering practices.

In this role, you will:

• Design, implement, and support multi-tenant cloud-native platform services using AWS and Kubernetes technologies.
• Develop and maintain Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions using OpenTofu, Terraform, or similar technologies.
• Build and support CI/CD and GitOps automation pipelines using GitHub Actions, Flux CD, Helm, and related tools.
• Configure and maintain platform observability solutions, including logging, monitoring, alerting, telemetry, and operational dashboards.
• Implement and maintain platform security controls, secrets management, identity integration, and policy enforcement capabilities.
• Evaluate platform performance, availability, scalability, resiliency, and cost optimization opportunities and implement improvements.
• Support the onboarding, lifecycle management, modernization, and continuous improvement of single- and multi-tenant computing platforms.
• Partner with internal clients to design cloud solutions and platform integrations, including supporting architecture, scope, schedule, and budget planning for business development and project operations.
• Develop platform engineering standards, reference architectures, operational procedures, and technical documentation.
• Collaborate with security operations, governance, infrastructure, application development, data, and research teams to ensure platforms meet operational and regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues across infrastructure, platform, networking, security, and application layers.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for complex cloud, platform infrastructure, and security issues.
• Identify opportunities to automate, modernize, and improve complex technical systems and operational processes.
• Balance operational stability and service reliability with innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field and 12 years of relevant experience; Master’s degree and 10 years of relevant experience; Ph.D. and 6 years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Requirements

• 4+ years of hands-on Kubernetes experience, including cluster architecture, multi-tenancy, RBAC, scheduling, and autoscaling in environments such as AWS EKS, Azure AKS, OpenShift, or bare metal.
• Deep experience with cloud-native GitOps and CI/CD workflows, including multi-dependency or multi-repository GitHub Actions workflows or equivalent technologies.
• Strong knowledge of Kubernetes networking, including CNI, service mesh technologies such as Istio and Traefik, ingress controllers such as ALB and Application Gateway, and Network Policy.
• Strong experience with Helm and/or Kustomize for application packaging and deployment.
• Experience operating storage solutions, including CSI, EFS, and NetApp Trident.
• Experience with cloud-native observability technologies such as Prometheus, Grafana, and Loki.
• Experience designing and operating solutions in highly regulated environments, including FISMA Low/Moderate and HIPAA.
• Strong experience with containerization and modernization of legacy applications and tools.
• Experience working with Layer 4 and Layer 7 load balancers and firewalls.
• Experience with Kubernetes security and policy engines/controllers, including OPA or similar technologies.
• Experience with OIDC and SSO authentication flows and systems such as Microsoft Entra ID, Amazon Cognito, and Keycloak.
• Experience evaluating, troubleshooting, and supporting open-source applications at scale in production environments.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to analyze complex technical systems and identify opportunities for automation, modernization, scalability, and operational improvement.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues across infrastructure, platform, networking, security, and application layers.
• Ability to design scalable, reliable, secure, and maintainable technology solutions that support business and research objectives.
• Ability to balance operational stability with innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with infrastructure, cybersecurity, application development, data, research, and other cross-functional teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Ability to prioritize multiple initiatives and manage competing demands in a dynamic environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to operational excellence, service reliability, and customer-focused support.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to cross-functional teams and organizational objectives.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and continuous learning.
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearances as required by contracts.
• Demonstration of RTI Values and Lead Forward behaviors.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Generous paid time off policy.
• Merit-based annual increases.
• Bonus opportunities.
• Robust recognition program.
• Competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability).
• Access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan.
• Paid parental leave for all parents.
• Financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments.
• Financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities.
• Employee assistance program.
• Numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

Hiring Salary Range

$133,000 - $140,000