Job description
Role Overview
Senior OpenStack Engineer at Rackspace Technology, based permanently on-site in Riyadh, KSA. This role supports a long-term, high-value Professional Services engagement managing and optimizing production-grade OpenStack private cloud environments.
Company Overview
Rackspace Technology is a leading end-to-end hybrid cloud and AI solutions company. The organization designs, builds, and operates cloud environments across all major technology platforms, irrespective of technology stack or deployment model. Named a best place to work by Glassdoor, Newsweek, and Forbes, Rackspace partners with customers at every stage of their cloud journey to modernize applications, build new products, and adopt innovative technologies.
Role Purpose
Support private cloud infrastructure for high-value customers by deploying, managing, and optimizing production-grade OpenStack environments. Provide technical expertise to ensure stability, performance, and continuous improvement while proactively advising customers on potential pitfalls and recommending alternatives that better serve solution stability and security.
Key Responsibilities
OpenStack Deployment and Management
- Support, deploy, and manage OpenStack-based private cloud infrastructure.
- Configure and maintain OpenStack services including Nova, Neutron, Cinder, and Keystone.
- Demonstrate knowledge of Canonical OpenStack, Juju, and Lxd containers.
- Maintain understanding of advanced OpenStack services including Octavia, Designate, and Masakari.
- Maintain knowledge of storage solutions such as Ceph.
Kubernetes Orchestration
- Implement and manage Kubernetes clusters for container orchestration.
- Deploy and maintain applications within Kubernetes environments.
- Demonstrate knowledge of Charmed Kubernetes.
Integration and Automation
- Integrate OpenStack and Kubernetes technologies for seamless operation.
- Develop automation scripts and tools for provisioning, monitoring, and scaling cloud resources.
Performance Monitoring and Optimization
- Monitor system performance and optimize configurations for maximum efficiency.
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to OpenStack and Kubernetes environments.
- Troubleshoot software-defined networking (SDN) OVN networking and perform performance benchmarking with respect to CPU and disk utilization.
- Maintain knowledge of Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana monitoring stacks.
Security and Compliance
- Implement security best practices and ensure compliance within OpenStack and Kubernetes setups.
- Manage access controls, authentication, and authorization mechanisms.
- Maintain knowledge of CIS benchmarking.
Documentation and Reporting
- Create and maintain technical documentation, including system configurations and operational procedures.
- Generate regular reports on system performance, capacity, and utilization.
Collaboration and Support
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate OpenStack and Kubernetes solutions with existing systems.
- Provide technical support and assistance to resolve issues related to cloud and container environments.
- Advise on potential pitfalls customers may encounter and suggest alternatives to better serve solution stability and security.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or related field, or equivalent experience.
- Strong experience in Linux system administration.
- Hands-on experience with OpenStack deployment, configuration, and management.
- Knowledge of software-defined storage systems such as Ceph.
- Knowledge of cloud-native principles.
- Prior experience in a customer-facing support role.
- Relevant certifications such as Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), or Certified OpenStack Administrator (COA).
Skills & Competencies
- Proficiency in scripting languages including Python and Bash for automation and management tasks.
- Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication skills.
- Familiarity with other cloud platforms such as VMWare, AWS, Azure, or GCP.
- Experience with software-defined networking (SDN) solutions in cloud environments.
- Knowledge of infrastructure as code (IaC) tools such as Terraform or Ansible for provisioning and configuration management.
Additional Information
- Position requires permanent on-site presence in Riyadh, KSA.
- Rackspace Technology is committed to equal employment opportunity without regard to age, color, disability, gender reassignment or identity or expression, genetic information, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, military or veteran status, nationality, ethnic or national origin, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any legally protected characteristic.