Senior Platform Engineer (m/f/d) - Kubernetes · Internal Developer Platforms · Data Streaming

Your mission

At Steadforce, we build platforms that development teams can rely on. As a Senior Platform Engineer (m/f/d), you’ll design internal developer platforms and streaming infrastructures for enterprise clients and guide them from initial concept through to production.

• You’ll design and develop self-service platforms based on Kubernetes, GitOps, and CNCF tools such as Argo CD, Crossplane, Istio, and Kyverno.
• You’ll build developer portals (e.g., Backstage) and build and deployment pipelines that significantly ease developers’ day-to-day workloads.
• You operate and expand streaming platforms using Apache Kafka, Kafka Connect, and Kafka Streams.
• You make architectural and technological decisions that have a real impact on customers and confidently advocate for them with stakeholders.
• You’ll advise clients in workshops, assist with proposals and effort estimates, and share your knowledge with the team through code reviews, mentoring, and interviews.
• You’ll actively help shape our Center of Competence (CoC) for Platform Engineering through tech talks, presentations, and your own topics.

Your profile

Here are the technical requirements you’ll need:

• Several years of experience in platform engineering or the Kubernetes environment, with a total of 8+ years in IT

• In-depth knowledge of Kubernetes (on-premises and cloud), Helm, and GitOps; experience operating multiple clusters

• Practical experience with Infrastructure as Code and cloud-native control planes (Terraform, Crossplane, and/or kro)

• CI/CD experience (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure Pipelines) as well as observability (Prometheus, Grafana, Loki, OpenTelemetry)

• Knowledge of event streaming, particularly Apache Kafka

• Solid programming skills in Java, Python, or TypeScript

• Experience with Azure or AWS

Your personal strengths:

• You think in terms of abstractions and context and can explain technical concepts in a way that’s understandable to non-technical people.

• You’re curious, enjoy trying out new things in practice, and adapt quickly to changing topics and roles.

• You enjoy interacting with clients, participating in workshops and meetings, and speaking at conferences.

These are pluses:

• Certifications such as CKA, CKAD, or CKS

• Experience with Apache Flink, Redpanda Connect/Bento, Confluent, or Aiven

• Experience with Security by Design (Keycloak, Istio, Policy-as-Code)

• Project experience in the industrial, chemical, or automotive sectors

• Gen AI tools (e.g., AI coding assistants) in day-to-day engineering work

• Experience with Flink and Redpanda Connect

Your benefits

• Fair Compensation & Full Flexibility: Competitive salary, flexible work hours with a work-time account, and part-time options. You decide how much time you spend working in the office or remotely.
• Extras on top of your salary: A subsidy for the Deutschlandticket, an EGYM Wellpass, or an Edenred gift card, plus optional JobRad and Corporate Benefits.
• Retirement planning included: An annual contribution to the company pension plan and private accident insurance.
• Professional development with a time budget: A fixed number of hours at the Steadforce “Campus” and in our “Center of Competence” for your professional growth, plus participation in conferences and summits.
• Your setup: You choose your device-whether a MacBook or ThinkPad-and your operating system-macOS, Linux, or Windows.
• Workation: Work from another EU country from time to time while staying closely connected to your team.
• Family-friendly: As an award-winning family-friendly company, we support you at every stage of life, for example through our Family Office.
• Office in Westend: Modern office space with a gaming room, active office, and relaxation room-right next to the U4/U5. Alternatively, free parking is available.
• Team & Events: A collegial team that supports one another, and shared events such as the New Year’s kick-off party, Salad Wednesday, White Sausage Thursday, and a visit to Oktoberfest.