Senior Software Engineer - Kubernetes Backend and Platform Engineering

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Senior Member of Technical Staff (SMTS) to join our Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) team in San Jose. In this role, you will be a hands-on technical leader responsible for designing and delivering scalable, enterprise-grade cloud-native solutions at the intersection of Kubernetes cluster management, application mobility, and multi-tenant security infrastructure.

You will combine strong backend engineering skills with deep Kubernetes operational expertise to solve complex platform challenges. You will also lead the completion of projects with a small team of junior engineers-setting technical direction, driving execution, mentoring team members, and ensuring that the team delivers high-quality, production-ready results.

This opportunity provides broad technical scope to design robust backend platforms that power mission-critical workloads in complex enterprise environments while helping shape the growth and effectiveness of the local engineering team.

About the Team

Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) is a complete, enterprise-grade, production-ready platform based on Kubernetes. It supports AI/ML workloads, GPU infrastructure, and modern enterprise applications while delivering hyperscaler-like capabilities across on-premises and hybrid deployments.

By integrating the best of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) ecosystem into a lifecycle-managed platform, NKP provides the capabilities required for production Kubernetes environments, including cluster lifecycle management, fleet management, multi-tenancy, and deep integration with compute, networking, and storage systems. NKP simplifies Kubernetes operations, enables seamless application mobility, and provides integrated security and compliance.

Our engineers work on challenging infrastructure problems spanning distributed systems, compute, storage, networking, platform automation, and cloud-native services. The team collaborates with engineering groups across Nutanix to build reliable systems that customers can operate with confidence.

You will report to the Director of Engineering, who values collaboration, open discussion, strong communication, and thoughtful problem-solving. The team is committed to creating an environment where engineers can take ownership, grow their skills, and contribute meaningfully to both technical outcomes and team development.

Your Role

• Lead the technical execution and successful completion of projects involving backend services and Kubernetes platform capabilities.
• Establish project plans, clarify technical requirements, identify risks, and drive delivery from design through production readiness.
• Lead a small project team that may include junior engineers by providing technical guidance, reviewing work, removing blockers, and maintaining a high bar for quality.
• Mentor junior engineers through design discussions, code reviews, debugging, operational readiness, and career development conversations.
• Collaborate with US-based and global engineering teams to define, align, and execute project requirements and architectural workflows.
• Design and implement backend components for an enterprise Kubernetes platform using declarative and GitOps-oriented workflows.
• Apply strong Kubernetes operational knowledge to improve cluster lifecycle management, upgrades, observability, reliability, security, and day-two operations.
• Diagnose complex production issues across Kubernetes, container runtimes, networking, storage, and platform services.
• Author comprehensive technical documentation, architecture specifications, design blueprints, operational runbooks, and production-ready system definitions.
• Promote effective engineering practices through design reviews, cross-functional code reviews, structured Agile ceremonies, and clear execution metrics.
• Partner with product management, SRE, support, and other engineering teams to deliver capabilities that address real customer and operational needs.

What You Will Bring

• 9-16 years of professional software engineering experience, with a strong focus on backend systems, distributed platforms, or cloud infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience leading the completion of a significant software project with a small engineering team.
• Proven mentorship and technical leadership experience, including the ability to guide junior engineers, delegate effectively, provide constructive feedback, and raise team capability.
• Strong knowledge of Kubernetes architecture and internals, including control-plane components, scheduling, networking, storage, security, controllers, and cluster lifecycle management.
• Hands-on experience operating Kubernetes clusters in production or production-like environments, including troubleshooting, upgrades, patching, capacity management, observability, and reliability improvements.
• Experience with containerization technologies, container image lifecycle management, and Helm chart architecture.
• Proficiency with Git and GitOps synchronization workflows, including declarative configuration management and automated CI/CD pipelines such as GitHub Actions.
• Strong programming ability in Go or Python, with the ability to produce maintainable, testable, and production-ready code.
• Experience designing backend services, APIs, controllers, or automation for distributed systems and cloud-native platforms.
• Familiarity with Linux server environments, file systems, operating system primitives, networking fundamentals, and production debugging.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts and align stakeholders across time zones and disciplines.
• Experience working in Agile development environments and collaborating effectively in a hybrid, matrixed engineering organization.

Nice to Have

• Development experience building Kubernetes operators, controllers, admission webhooks, or custom resources.
• Experience with the Kubernetes Operator pattern and controller-runtime or related frameworks.
• Familiarity with multi-cluster management, fleet operations, application mobility, multi-tenancy, or Kubernetes security and compliance.
• Experience supporting AI/ML, GPU, or other performance-sensitive workloads on Kubernetes.
• Experience working with distributed storage, networking, virtualization, or infrastructure management systems.
• Contributions to open-source cloud-native projects or active participation in the CNCF ecosystem.

Work Arrangement

Hybrid: This role operates in a hybrid capacity, blending the benefits of remote work with the advantages of in-person collaboration. In locations where our workplace policy applies (i.e. San Jose, Durham, Mexico City, Bangalore, Pune, Hoofddorp, Belgrade, Barcelona, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo), employees are expected to work onsite a minimum of 3 days per week to foster collaboration, team alignment, and access to in-office resources. Workplace type may vary based on location and team requirements. Please speak with your recruiter for details. Additional team-specific guidance and norms will be provided by your manager.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between USD $160,000 and USD $320,000 per year.

However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If hired, employees will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. Our application deadline is 40 days from the date of posting. In good faith, the posting may be removed prior to this date if the position is filled or extended in good faith.

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