Senior Cloud Native Engineer
📍 Job Overview
- Job Title: Senior Cloud Native Engineer
- Company: KPN
- Location: Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Job Type: Hybrid (2 days on-site, 3 days remote)
- Category: DevOps Engineer, System Administrator, Web Infrastructure
- Date Posted: July 24, 2025
- Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)
- Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Role Summary
- Lead the design and development of robust, scalable infrastructure components using modern tech stacks and Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) principles.
- Collaborate with internal engineering teams and clients to drive innovation and improve cloud native infrastructure.
- Contribute to technical roadmaps and best practices within Agile/Scrum teams.
- Provide leadership and coaching to engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in Linux systems engineering, containerization, and cloud infrastructure management. Candidates should be comfortable working in hybrid environments and have experience with Kubernetes, Terraform, and CI/CD workflows.
💻 Primary Responsibilities
- Infrastructure Design & Development: Translate architectural designs into scalable, secure, and efficient infrastructure solutions using Kubernetes, Terraform, and other IaC tools.
- Cloud Native Infrastructure Management: Build, maintain, and optimize cloud native infrastructure components, including compute, storage, and networking services.
- CI/CD Automation: Develop and manage CI/CD pipelines using tools like GitHub Actions or GitLab Pipelines to streamline deployment processes.
- Troubleshooting & Optimization: Diagnose and resolve issues in Linux systems and Kubernetes clusters, and optimize infrastructure performance.
- Technical Leadership: Lead and coach engineers within Agile/Scrum teams, contributing to technical roadmaps and best practices.
- Automation Tooling: Contribute to the expansion of automation tooling using frameworks like Terraform Plugin Framework or Operator SDK.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong focus on problem-solving, with the ability to work independently or in collaboration with other engineers to design and develop robust infrastructure solutions.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., CKA, CKAD, or AWS certifications) are a plus.
Experience: 5-10 years of proven experience in Linux systems engineering, with a strong focus on containerization, Kubernetes, and IaC tools. Experience in hybrid cloud environments and cloud-native architecture is preferred.
Required Skills:
- Senior-level Linux systems engineering and troubleshooting
- Deep knowledge of containerization and Kubernetes
- Terraform: writing, managing, and optimizing complex modules
- Experience with Ansible and/or Puppet for configuration management
- Familiarity with CI/CD workflows and tools (GitHub/GitLab)
- Agile/Scrum team experience
- Strong problem-solving skills and proactive mindset
- Ability to design and develop systems based on architecture, independently or in collaboration with engineers
- Excellent communication skills in Dutch and English, both written and verbal
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with programming in Golang or Rust
- Experience with expanding automation tooling via Terraform Plugin Framework or Operator SDK
- Experience with building and improving compute, storage, and data platforms in distributed environments
- Knowledge of cloud environments and hybrid-cloud concepts
Tech Stack:
- Kubernetes (OCP, AKS), Docker, Podman
- Terraform, Puppet, Ansible, ArgoCD
- GitHub Actions, GitLab Pipelines
- Prometheus, Vector, Loki
- Kubebuilder, kube-rs
- Azure Local, Azure SDK
📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of Linux systems engineering, containerization, and cloud infrastructure management through relevant projects.
- Showcase your ability to design and develop scalable, secure, and efficient infrastructure solutions using Kubernetes, Terraform, and other IaC tools.
- Highlight your experience with CI/CD pipelines and automation workflows.
- Include examples of troubleshooting and optimization efforts in Linux systems and Kubernetes clusters.
Technical Documentation:
- Provide clear and concise documentation for your projects, including code comments, version control, and deployment processes.
- Include testing methodologies, performance metrics, and optimization techniques used in your projects.
📝 Enhancement Note: As a senior cloud native engineer, your portfolio should demonstrate your ability to lead and coach other engineers, contributing to technical roadmaps and best practices. Include examples of your leadership and mentoring efforts, as well as your impact on team projects and infrastructure decisions.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The salary range for this position is €5,742 to €8,865 per month, depending on work experience, based on a 40-hour workweek.
Benefits:
- Annual bonus (13th month) with flexible payment options
- Annual salary increase based on collective and individual agreements
- €1,500 annual inzetbaarheidsbudget for training, coaching, and courses
- Flexible vacation days and work-life balance options
- Home office setup and mobile device allowance
- 50% discount on KPN products and services
- Travel expense reimbursement and bicycle allowance
- Excellent pension plan with a total contribution of 23% of the pensioengevende salary (16% employer, 7% employee)
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on market research for senior cloud native engineering roles in the Netherlands. The benefits listed are based on the information provided in the job listing and may be subject to change.
🎯 Team & Company Context
Company Culture: KPN is a leading telecommunications and IT services provider in the Netherlands, focusing on innovation, quality, and sustainability. The Tech Hub Private Cloud team is responsible for delivering advanced IT services and custom solutions to large organizations from secure, private cloud environments.
Industry: Telecommunications and IT services
Company Size: Large (over 10,000 employees)
Founded: 1989
Team Structure:
- The team consists of senior and mid-level engineers specializing in Linux systems, containerization, and cloud infrastructure management.
- The reporting structure is flat, with a focus on collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- The team works closely with other departments, including design, marketing, and business teams, to deliver innovative solutions that meet client needs.
Development Methodology:
- The team follows Agile/Scrum methodologies, with regular sprint planning and code review processes.
- CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment strategies are used to ensure efficient and reliable software delivery.
- The team uses Kubernetes for container orchestration and Terraform for IaC, with a focus on infrastructure as code (IaC) principles.
Company Website: KPN
📝 Enhancement Note: KPN's focus on innovation and quality makes it an attractive employer for senior cloud native engineers looking to work on large-scale, complex infrastructure projects. The company's size and resources allow for significant investment in technology and professional development opportunities.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Web Technology Career Level: Senior Cloud Native Engineer - Leads the design and development of robust, scalable infrastructure components using modern tech stacks and IaC principles. Provides technical leadership and coaching to engineers within Agile/Scrum teams, contributing to technical roadmaps and best practices.
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the team lead or manager, with a flat reporting structure that encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Technical Impact: Senior cloud native engineers have a significant impact on cloud native infrastructure, driving innovation and improving performance, security, and scalability. They work closely with internal engineering teams and clients to ensure that infrastructure solutions meet business needs and align with technical best practices.
Growth Opportunities:
- Technical Specialization: Pursue expertise in specific areas of cloud infrastructure management, such as Kubernetes, Terraform, or CI/CD pipelines, to become a technical specialist or subject matter expert (SME).
- Technical Leadership: Develop leadership skills to take on more significant technical roles, such as team lead, architecture lead, or principal engineer.
- Architecture Decision-Making: Gain experience in making critical architecture decisions that impact the design and development of cloud native infrastructure, contributing to the team's technical roadmap and best practices.
📝 Enhancement Note: KPN offers numerous growth opportunities for senior cloud native engineers, with a strong focus on technical specialization, leadership development, and architecture decision-making. The company's size and resources allow for significant investment in professional development and career progression.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid - A mix of on-site and remote work, with 2 days on-site and 3 days remote.
Office Location(s): Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands
Workspace Context:
- The hybrid work environment allows for collaboration and knowledge sharing with on-site colleagues while maintaining flexibility and work-life balance with remote work.
- On-site offices are equipped with modern development tools, multiple monitors, and testing devices to support productive work.
- The team encourages cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing, with regular team meetings and workshops.
Work Schedule: The work schedule is flexible, with a focus on delivering results and meeting project deadlines. Deployment windows and maintenance tasks may require occasional adjustments to the work schedule.
📝 Enhancement Note: KPN's hybrid work environment offers the best of both worlds, with the opportunity to collaborate and learn from colleagues on-site while maintaining the flexibility and work-life balance of remote work. The company's focus on results-driven work and flexible scheduling makes it an attractive employer for senior cloud native engineers.
📄 Application & Technical Interview Process
Interview Process:
- Technical Screening: A technical assessment focused on Linux systems engineering, containerization, and cloud infrastructure management. Candidates can expect questions on Kubernetes, Terraform, and CI/CD workflows.
- Architecture Discussion: A discussion on cloud-native architecture, with a focus on designing scalable, secure, and efficient infrastructure solutions. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to infrastructure design and their understanding of cloud-native architecture principles.
- Team Fit Assessment: An assessment of the candidate's cultural fit and communication skills, with a focus on collaboration and knowledge sharing within the team.
- Final Evaluation: A final evaluation of the candidate's technical skills, cultural fit, and alignment with the team's technical roadmap and best practices.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight your experience with Linux systems engineering, containerization, and cloud infrastructure management through relevant projects.
- Include examples of your ability to design and develop scalable, secure, and efficient infrastructure solutions using Kubernetes, Terraform, and other IaC tools.
- Showcase your experience with CI/CD pipelines and automation workflows, with a focus on improving performance, security, and scalability.
- Include examples of your leadership and mentoring efforts, as well as your impact on team projects and infrastructure decisions.
Technical Challenge Preparation:
- Brush up on your Linux systems engineering, containerization, and cloud infrastructure management skills, with a focus on Kubernetes, Terraform, and CI/CD workflows.
- Practice designing and developing scalable, secure, and efficient infrastructure solutions using Kubernetes, Terraform, and other IaC tools.
- Prepare for architecture discussions by researching cloud-native architecture principles and best practices.
ATS Keywords: [See the comprehensive list of ATS keywords at the end of this document]
📝 Enhancement Note: KPN's interview process is designed to assess the candidate's technical skills, cultural fit, and alignment with the team's technical roadmap and best practices. The portfolio review and technical challenge preparation tips provided are tailored to senior cloud native engineering roles, with a focus on Linux systems engineering, containerization, and cloud infrastructure management.
🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure
Frontend Technologies: Not applicable for this role.
Backend & Server Technologies:
- Kubernetes (OCP, AKS)
- Docker, Podman
- Terraform
- Puppet, Ansible
- Azure Local, Azure SDK
Development & DevOps Tools:
- GitHub Actions, GitLab Pipelines
- Prometheus, Vector, Loki
- Kubebuilder, kube-rs
- ArgoCD
📝 Enhancement Note: KPN's technology stack is focused on cloud-native infrastructure management, with a strong emphasis on Kubernetes, Terraform, and CI/CD workflows. The company's use of modern tech stacks and IaC principles allows for the development of scalable, secure, and efficient infrastructure solutions.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Web Development Values:
- Innovation: KPN values innovation and encourages its employees to explore new technologies and approaches to drive progress and improvement.
- Quality: The company is committed to delivering high-quality products and services that meet or exceed client expectations.
- Collaboration: KPN fosters a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing, with a focus on working together to achieve common goals.
- Continuous Learning: The company encourages its employees to pursue continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-Functional Integration: The team works closely with other departments, including design, marketing, and business teams, to deliver innovative solutions that meet client needs.
- Code Review Culture: The team follows Agile/Scrum methodologies, with regular code reviews and testing processes to ensure the quality and reliability of infrastructure solutions.
- Knowledge Sharing: The team encourages knowledge sharing and mentoring, with regular workshops and training sessions to help engineers develop their skills and advance their careers.
📝 Enhancement Note: KPN's team culture is focused on innovation, quality, collaboration, and continuous learning. The company's emphasis on cross-functional integration, code review culture, and knowledge sharing makes it an attractive employer for senior cloud native engineers looking to work on large-scale, complex infrastructure projects.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Technical Challenges:
- Scalability: Design and develop infrastructure solutions that can scale to meet the demands of large, complex environments.
- Security: Ensure the security and compliance of cloud native infrastructure, with a focus on protecting sensitive data and meeting regulatory requirements.
- Performance Optimization: Continuously monitor and optimize infrastructure performance, with a focus on improving efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
- Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and trends in cloud native infrastructure management, and incorporate them into the team's technical roadmap and best practices.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Technical Specialization: Pursue expertise in specific areas of cloud infrastructure management, such as Kubernetes, Terraform, or CI/CD pipelines, to become a technical specialist or subject matter expert (SME).
- Conference Attendance: Attend industry conferences and events to learn from experts, network with peers, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in cloud native infrastructure management.
- Certification: Pursue relevant certifications (e.g., CKA, CKAD, or AWS certifications) to demonstrate your expertise and advance your career.
- Technical Mentorship: Seek mentorship from senior engineers and industry experts to gain insights, learn new skills, and advance your career.
- Leadership Development: Develop leadership skills to take on more significant technical roles, such as team lead, architecture lead, or principal engineer.
📝 Enhancement Note: KPN offers numerous technical challenges and learning opportunities for senior cloud native engineers, with a strong focus on scalability, security, performance optimization, and emerging technologies. The company's commitment to technical specialization, conference attendance, certification, and mentorship makes it an attractive employer for engineers looking to advance their careers and stay at the forefront of cloud native infrastructure management.
💡 Interview Preparation
Technical Questions:
- Linux Systems Engineering: Questions on Linux systems engineering, troubleshooting, and performance optimization, with a focus on Kubernetes, Terraform, and CI/CD workflows.
- Cloud-Native Architecture: Questions on cloud-native architecture principles, with a focus on designing scalable, secure, and efficient infrastructure solutions.
- Problem-Solving: Questions on problem-solving, with a focus on diagnosing and resolving issues in Linux systems and Kubernetes clusters.
Company & Culture Questions:
- Company Culture: Questions on KPN's company culture, with a focus on innovation, quality, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- Team Dynamics: Questions on the team's dynamics, with a focus on cross-functional integration, code review culture, and knowledge sharing.
- Technical Roadmap: Questions on the team's technical roadmap and best practices, with a focus on contributing to the team's goals and objectives.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Project Selection: Select projects that demonstrate your experience with Linux systems engineering, containerization, and cloud infrastructure management, with a focus on Kubernetes, Terraform, and other IaC tools.
- Storytelling: Use storytelling techniques to highlight your impact on projects, with a focus on the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results you achieved.
- Technical Deep Dive: Prepare for a deep dive into the technical aspects of your projects, with a focus on your approach to infrastructure design, your use of Kubernetes, Terraform, and other IaC tools, and your experience with CI/CD pipelines and automation workflows.
📝 Enhancement Note: KPN's interview preparation tips are designed to help senior cloud native engineers showcase their technical skills, cultural fit, and alignment with the team's technical roadmap and best practices. The technical questions, company and culture questions, and portfolio presentation strategy provided are tailored to senior cloud native engineering roles, with a focus on Linux systems engineering, containerization, and cloud infrastructure management.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this senior cloud native engineer position at KPN:
- Portfolio Customization: Customize your portfolio to highlight your experience with Linux systems engineering, containerization, and cloud infrastructure management, with a focus on Kubernetes, Terraform, and other IaC tools.
- Resume Optimization: Optimize your resume for web technology roles, with a focus on project highlights and technical skills relevant to senior cloud native engineering positions.
- Technical Interview Preparation: Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Linux systems engineering, containerization, and cloud infrastructure management skills, with a focus on Kubernetes, Terraform, and CI/CD workflows.
- Company Research: Research KPN's company culture, with a focus on innovation, quality, collaboration, and continuous learning, to ensure a strong cultural fit and alignment with the team's technical roadmap and best practices.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
💬 ATS Keywords
Programming Languages:
- Bash, Shell Scripting, Python, Golang, Rust
Web Frameworks:
- Not applicable for this role
Server Technologies:
- Linux, Kubernetes, Docker, Podman
Databases:
- Not applicable for this role
Tools:
- Terraform, Puppet, Ansible, GitHub Actions, GitLab Pipelines, Prometheus, Vector, Loki, Kubebuilder, kube-rs, ArgoCD
Methodologies:
- Agile, Scrum, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
Soft Skills:
- Problem-solving, Troubleshooting, Leadership, Mentoring, Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing
Industry Terms:
- Cloud Native, Hybrid Cloud, Containerization, Microservices, Serverless, Infrastructure as Code, CI/CD, DevOps, Site Reliability Engineering, SRE
ATS Keyword Distribution: The ATS keywords provided are strategically placed throughout the job description to ensure natural integration and optimization for web technology roles, with a focus on senior cloud native engineering positions.
Application Requirements
Senior-level experience in Linux systems engineering and troubleshooting is essential. Candidates should have deep knowledge of containerization, Kubernetes, Terraform, and CI/CD workflows, along with strong problem-solving skills.