Senior Kubernetes Platform Engineer (On-Prem / Bare Metal)

SC Cleared On-Site Contract Opportunity (OutsideIR35)

GCS is supporting one of the world's leading technology companies on a highly technical infrastructure engineering programme.

We're looking for an exceptional Kubernetes Platform Engineer with deep expertise in designing, building and securing Kubernetes infrastructure within bare-metal and on-premises environments.

This is a hands-on engineering opportunity, working on complex, security-sensitive infrastructure where performance, resilience and security are critical.

We're looking for builders, not simply engineers who maintain existing environments.

You'll be responsible for building, deploying and enhancing Kubernetes infrastructure, working across the underlying compute, networking, security and observability layers.

The role requires someone who understands Kubernetes beyond application deployment and can confidently engineer the infrastructure that supports it.

• Design, build and deploy production-grade Kubernetes clusters on bare-metal infrastructure.
• Engineer and optimise the underlying Linux, networking, storage and compute environments.
• Implement Kubernetes security controls, hardening and infrastructure-level security best practices.
• Design, deploy and improve logging and observability pipelines using tools such as Fluent Bit, OpenTelemetry and Grafana.
• Integrate platform logging and monitoring with wider security operations and SIEM tooling.
• Support network security monitoring and visibility across infrastructure and hardware network appliances.
• Improve the effectiveness of security tooling, including EDR, vulnerability scanners and antivirus solutions.
• Troubleshoot complex infrastructure challenges and continuously improve platform reliability, performance and security.
• Participate in an on-call rota supporting critical infrastructure.

Essential:

• Extensive hands-on Kubernetes engineering experience.
• Proven experience building Kubernetes clusters on bare metal or on-premises infrastructure, rather than simply operating existing environments.
• Strong Linux infrastructure engineering and networking knowledge.
• Solid understanding of platform security, infrastructure hardening and security-by-design principles.
• Ability to work independently on complex infrastructure engineering challenges.
• SC or DV security clearance.

Highly Desirable:

• Experience with Kubernetes deployment technologies such as kubeadm, Kubespray, RKE2 or similar.
• Experience implementing logging and observability pipelines using Fluent Bit, OpenTelemetry, Grafana or similar technologies.
• Knowledge of network security monitoring and security operations.
• Experience with EDR, vulnerability management and infrastructure security tooling.
• Experience engineering infrastructure within highly secure or regulated environments.

An opportunity to work alongside highly skilled engineers on technically demanding infrastructure projects for one of the world's most recognised technology companies.

You'll be working at the infrastructure layer, solving complex engineering challenges and helping build secure, resilient Kubernetes environments from the ground up.

Working arrangement: Fully on-site, with an on-call component.

Security clearance: SC or DV clearance preferred; current clearance requirements to be confirmed.

If you're an experienced Kubernetes infrastructure engineer with a genuine background in bare-metal deployments, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.

GCS is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.