📍 Job Overview

Job Title: DevOps Engineer (m/w/d) im Kölner Startup
Company: GreenPocket GmbH
Location: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
Category: DevOps Engineer
Date Posted: 2025-08-01
Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (2-5 years)
Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility

🚀 Role Summary

GreenPocket is a green startup specializing in energy management and visualization software, aiming to create a sustainable, climate-neutral future.
DevOps Engineer will focus on continuous delivery in a self-managed Kubernetes environment, driving CI/CD, site reliability engineering, and resource automation.
Collaboration is key, working cross-functionally with agile software development teams to ensure high-quality software delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: GreenPocket's mission and tech stack indicate a dynamic, innovative environment where the DevOps Engineer can significantly impact the company's growth and success.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Architecture & Technology Selection: Contribute to system architecture and technology choices, ensuring they align with business needs and best practices.
CI/CD & Automation: Drive CI/CD processes using tools like ArgoCD and GitLab CI, automating resource and process management.
Monitoring & Troubleshooting: Oversee and monitor cloud systems using Prometheus, Grafana, and the OpenSearch Stack, ensuring system reliability and performance.
Platform Development: Develop and maintain GreenPocket's self-service platform for internal stakeholders, streamlining operational processes.
Team Leadership: Lead a three-person platform team, collaborating with colleagues and the CTO to define work priorities and ensure project success.
Communication & Collaboration: Work closely with agile, interdisciplinary teams, participating in DevComs and the Architecture Board to share knowledge and drive innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role's breadth and leadership aspects suggest a high-impact position within GreenPocket, requiring strong communication, organizational, and technical skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A successful degree in computer science or a comparable qualification that demonstrates strong technical foundations.

Experience: Proven experience in DevOps, cloud platforms, and infrastructure management, with a focus on automation and CI/CD.

Required Skills:

Cloud Platforms: Experience with self-managed Kubernetes, cloud providers, and Linux/Windows environments.
Automation & Infrastructure: Proficiency in Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform, Ansible), automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Typescript, GO, Rust, Python), and CI/CD tools (e.g., ArgoCD, GitLab CI).
Networking: Familiarity with network concepts, VPN tunnels, DNS, and routing.
Programming: Strong programming skills in languages such as Go, Python, Shell, Java, or JavaScript/TypeScript.
Communication: Excellent communication skills in German and English, with the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.

Preferred Skills:

MLOps: Interest in integrating MLOps into GreenPocket's platform.
Agile Methodologies: Experience working in an agile environment.
Architecture & Design: Knowledge of system architecture and design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given GreenPocket's focus on innovation and continuous learning, candidates with a strong curiosity and willingness to adapt to new technologies will likely thrive in this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Automation & Infrastructure Projects: Showcase projects demonstrating your ability to automate infrastructure, implement CI/CD pipelines, and manage cloud resources.
Monitoring & Troubleshooting: Highlight projects where you've successfully monitored, diagnosed, and resolved issues in complex systems.
Platform Development: Include examples of self-service platforms or internal tools you've developed to streamline operational processes.

Technical Documentation:

Code Quality: Demonstrate adherence to coding standards, version control (git), and best practices for maintainable, secure, and efficient code.
Documentation: Provide clear, concise, and up-to-date documentation for your projects, explaining architecture decisions, setup instructions, and troubleshooting guides.
Testing: Showcase your approach to testing, including unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests, as well as performance and security testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given GreenPocket's focus on quality and innovation, candidates should emphasize code quality, performance optimization, and user experience in their portfolio projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €55,000 - €75,000 per year (based on regional market research and experience level)

Benefits:

Professional Development: Intensive coaching, training opportunities, participation in DevCom, and the Architecture Board.
Employment Terms: Unlimited contract with the opportunity to shape GreenPocket's green startup scene.
Work-Life Balance: Flexible working hours and the option to work from home.
Innovation & Creativity: Take Your GreenDay! – dedicate one day per month to your own ideas and projects.
Team & Culture: Regular team events, a motivated and friendly work environment, and a well-connected location.

Working Hours: Full-time position with flexible working hours and the possibility of remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range and benefits package reflect market standards for mid-senior level DevOps roles in the Cologne region, with a focus on professional development and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: GreenPocket operates in the energy management and visualization software sector, focusing on sustainability and climate neutrality.

Company Size: As a startup with around 35 employees, GreenPocket offers a dynamic, agile work environment with ample opportunities for growth and impact.

Founded: GreenPocket was founded in 2012, providing ample time for the company to establish itself and grow within the energy sector.

Team Structure:

Agile & Cross-Functional: GreenPocket operates with agile methodologies, fostering cross-functional collaboration between developers, designers, and stakeholders.
Flat Hierarchies: As a startup, GreenPocket maintains flat hierarchies, encouraging open communication and decision-making.
Specialization & Expertise: The team consists of specialists in various fields, including energy management, software development, and data science.

Development Methodology:

Agile & Iterative: GreenPocket follows agile development methodologies, such as Scrum, to ensure continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
Continuous Integration & Deployment: The company emphasizes CI/CD practices to streamline software delivery and ensure high-quality releases.
Site Reliability Engineering: GreenPocket focuses on site reliability engineering principles to maintain and improve system reliability and performance.

Company Website: GreenPocket

📝 Enhancement Note: GreenPocket's company culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, providing an ideal environment for a DevOps Engineer looking to make a significant impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: The DevOps Engineer role at GreenPocket is at the mid-senior level, requiring a strong technical foundation and proven experience in DevOps, cloud platforms, and infrastructure management.

Reporting Structure: The DevOps Engineer will report directly to the CTO, working closely with agile software development teams and other stakeholders to ensure high-quality software delivery and system reliability.

Technical Impact: The DevOps Engineer will play a crucial role in driving GreenPocket's technological advancements, contributing to architecture decisions, and ensuring the scalability and performance of the company's software and infrastructure.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Leadership: As the team lead, the DevOps Engineer will have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, mentoring team members and driving the platform team's success.
Technical Specialization: GreenPocket's focus on innovation and emerging technologies provides ample opportunities for the DevOps Engineer to specialize in specific areas, such as MLOps or cloud architecture.
Architecture & Design: The role offers the chance to influence GreenPocket's architecture and design, contributing to the company's long-term technological strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: GreenPocket's growth opportunities focus on technical leadership, specialization, and architecture, allowing the DevOps Engineer to grow both personally and professionally within the role.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: GreenPocket's office is located in the heart of Cologne, providing a modern, collaborative workspace that fosters creativity and innovation.

Office Location(s): The company's main office is in Cologne, with easy access to public transportation and numerous amenities.

Workspace Context:

Collaboration & Communication: GreenPocket encourages open communication and collaboration, with dedicated spaces for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and informal discussions.
Development Tools & Infrastructure: The office is equipped with state-of-the-art development tools, multiple monitors, and testing devices to ensure optimal productivity and performance.
Work-Life Balance: GreenPocket offers flexible working hours and the option to work from home, promoting a healthy work-life balance for its employees.

Work Schedule: Full-time position with flexible working hours, allowing for a balance between work and personal responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: GreenPocket's work environment emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and work-life balance, providing an ideal setting for a DevOps Engineer to thrive both personally and professionally.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Technical Phone/Video Screen: A brief technical conversation to assess the candidate's understanding of DevOps principles, cloud platforms, and infrastructure management.
On-site Technical Assessment: A hands-on assessment focusing on the candidate's ability to design, implement, and maintain complex systems, as well as their problem-solving skills and communication abilities.
Team Fit & Cultural Interview: A discussion with the platform team and other stakeholders to evaluate the candidate's cultural fit, communication skills, and ability to collaborate effectively within GreenPocket's agile environment.
Final Evaluation: A comprehensive evaluation of the candidate's technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit, leading to a final decision on the hire.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Automation & Infrastructure Projects: Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to automate infrastructure, implement CI/CD pipelines, and manage cloud resources.
Monitoring & Troubleshooting: Showcase projects where you've successfully monitored, diagnosed, and resolved issues in complex systems.
Platform Development: Include examples of self-service platforms or internal tools you've developed to streamline operational processes.
Code Quality & Documentation: Emphasize your commitment to code quality, version control, and clear, concise documentation.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Architecture & Design: Familiarize yourself with GreenPocket's tech stack and architecture, focusing on areas such as Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud providers.
Problem-Solving: Brush up on your problem-solving skills, focusing on system design, performance optimization, and troubleshooting techniques.
Communication & Collaboration: Prepare for discussions on your approach to collaboration, communication, and working effectively within an agile, interdisciplinary team.

ATS Keywords: [Provide a comprehensive list of web development and server administration-relevant keywords for resume optimization, organized by category: programming languages, web frameworks, server technologies, databases, tools, methodologies, soft skills, industry terms]

📝 Enhancement Note: GreenPocket's interview process emphasizes technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit, providing an opportunity for candidates to showcase their expertise and adaptability in a dynamic, agile environment.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: [Not applicable for this role]

Backend & Server Technologies:

Kubernetes: GreenPocket uses self-managed Kubernetes for container orchestration and deployment.
Cloud Providers: The company leverages cloud providers for infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS) offerings.
Infrastructure Tools: GreenPocket utilizes tools such as Terraform and Ansible for infrastructure as code (IaC) and automation.

Development & DevOps Tools:

CI/CD Tools: GreenPocket employs tools such as ArgoCD and GitLab CI for continuous integration and deployment.
Monitoring Tools: The company uses Prometheus and Grafana for monitoring and visualizing system performance and health.
Version Control: GreenPocket uses Git for version control and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: GreenPocket's technology stack focuses on cloud platforms, containerization, and automation, providing a modern, scalable infrastructure for the DevOps Engineer to manage and optimize.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Innovation & Creativity: GreenPocket encourages its team members to think outside the box, driving innovation and continuous improvement.
Collaboration & Communication: The company emphasizes open communication, active listening, and effective collaboration across teams and disciplines.
Quality & Excellence: GreenPocket strives for high-quality software, user experience, and operational excellence in all aspects of its business.
Sustainability & Responsibility: As a green startup, GreenPocket is committed to sustainability, social responsibility, and creating a positive impact on the environment and society.

Collaboration Style:

Agile & Cross-Functional: GreenPocket operates with agile methodologies, fostering cross-functional collaboration between developers, designers, and stakeholders.
Code Review & Pair Programming: The company encourages code reviews and pair programming to ensure high-quality code and knowledge sharing.
Knowledge Sharing & Mentoring: GreenPocket promotes a culture of continuous learning, with regular knowledge-sharing sessions, training opportunities, and mentoring programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: GreenPocket's web development values and collaboration style emphasize innovation, quality, and sustainability, providing an ideal environment for a DevOps Engineer to grow both personally and professionally.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Automation & Infrastructure: GreenPocket's focus on automation and infrastructure management presents a significant challenge for the DevOps Engineer, requiring strong technical skills and a deep understanding of cloud platforms and infrastructure as code.
CI/CD & Site Reliability Engineering: The company's emphasis on CI/CD and site reliability engineering demands a proactive, problem-solving approach to system optimization and maintenance.
Emerging Technologies: GreenPocket's commitment to innovation and emerging technologies presents opportunities for the DevOps Engineer to explore new tools, methodologies, and architectural patterns.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: GreenPocket's focus on innovation and emerging technologies provides ample opportunities for the DevOps Engineer to develop their technical skills and specialize in specific areas, such as MLOps or cloud architecture.
Conference Attendance & Certification: The company encourages its team members to attend industry conferences, obtain relevant certifications, and engage with the broader web development and DevOps community.
Technical Mentorship & Leadership: As the team lead, the DevOps Engineer will have the opportunity to mentor team members, drive the platform team's success, and develop their leadership skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: GreenPocket's technical challenges and learning opportunities focus on automation, infrastructure management, and emerging technologies, providing ample room for the DevOps Engineer to grow both technically and professionally within the role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Architecture & Design: Be prepared to discuss your approach to system architecture, design patterns, and cloud provider selection for GreenPocket's tech stack.
Problem-Solving: Brush up on your problem-solving skills, focusing on system design, performance optimization, and troubleshooting techniques.
Monitoring & Troubleshooting: Familiarize yourself with GreenPocket's monitoring tools (Prometheus and Grafana) and be ready to discuss your approach to system health, performance, and issue resolution.

Company & Culture Questions:

GreenPocket's Mission & Values: Research GreenPocket's mission, values, and commitment to sustainability, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the company's.
Agile Methodologies: Brush up on your understanding of agile methodologies, such as Scrum, and be ready to discuss your experience working in an agile environment.
Collaboration & Communication: Prepare for discussions on your approach to collaboration, communication, and working effectively within an agile, interdisciplinary team.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Automation & Infrastructure Projects: Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to automate infrastructure, implement CI/CD pipelines, and manage cloud resources.
Monitoring & Troubleshooting: Showcase projects where you've successfully monitored, diagnosed, and resolved issues in complex systems.
Platform Development: Include examples of self-service platforms or internal tools you've developed to streamline operational processes.
Code Quality & Documentation: Emphasize your commitment to code quality, version control, and clear, concise documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: GreenPocket's interview preparation focuses on technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit, providing an opportunity for candidates to showcase their expertise and adaptability in a dynamic, agile environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this DevOps Engineer (m/w/d) position at GreenPocket GmbH:

Submit Your Application: Click the application link and complete the online application form.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Tailor your portfolio to highlight automation and infrastructure projects, monitoring and troubleshooting examples, and platform development case studies, emphasizing code quality, version control, and clear documentation.
Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your relevant experience, skills, and achievements in the context of GreenPocket's tech stack, architecture, and development methodologies.
Research GreenPocket: Familiarize yourself with GreenPocket's mission, values, and commitment to sustainability, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the company's.
Prepare for Technical & Cultural Interviews: Brush up on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication strategies, and be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration, innovation, and quality in an agile, interdisciplinary team environment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/DevOps industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with GreenPocket before making application decisions.

DevOps Engineer (m/w/d) im Kölner Startup