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: 2025-07-23
• Experience Level: 5-10 years
• Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and implementation of scalable, secure, and robust cloud infrastructure using Kubernetes and Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) principles.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, design, and ship new features.
• Manage and optimize existing cloud infrastructure, ensuring high availability and fault tolerance.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and best practices in cloud native engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in Linux systems engineering, with a focus on cloud native technologies. The ideal candidate will have experience in managing hybrid cloud environments and be comfortable working in an Agile/Scrum team setting.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

• Architecture & Design: Translate architectural designs into practical, scalable, and secure solutions that meet business requirements.
• Cloud Infrastructure Management: Manage and optimize cloud infrastructure using Kubernetes, Terraform, Ansible, and other relevant tools.
• CI/CD Pipeline Management: Develop, maintain, and optimize CI/CD pipelines to ensure efficient and reliable software delivery.
• Troubleshooting & Problem-Solving: Diagnose and resolve complex technical issues in cloud infrastructure and applications.
• Team Leadership & Collaboration: Lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, design, and ship new features.
• Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing: Mentor junior engineers and share knowledge to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong focus on problem-solving and system design, with the ability to work independently or in collaboration with other engineers.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A relevant Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related field.

Experience: 5-10 years of proven experience in Linux systems engineering, with a strong focus on cloud native technologies and hybrid cloud environments.

Required Skills:

• Senior-level Linux systems engineering and troubleshooting
• Deep knowledge of containerization and tools (Docker, Kubernetes, Podman)
• Proficiency in 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)
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum teams
• Strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with programming in Golang or Rust
• Experience with extending 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 your expertise in cloud native engineering by showcasing projects that highlight your ability to design, implement, and manage scalable cloud infrastructure.
• Include case studies that illustrate your problem-solving skills and the impact you've made on previous projects.
• Showcase your proficiency in Terraform by including examples of complex modules you've written, managed, and optimized.
• Highlight your experience with Kubernetes by demonstrating your ability to deploy, manage, scale, and troubleshoot Kubernetes clusters.

Technical Documentation:

• Include documentation that outlines your approach to system design, cloud architecture, and infrastructure as code.
• Showcase your understanding of CI/CD pipelines by including diagrams and explanations of your implementation strategies.
• Demonstrate your commitment to knowledge sharing by including examples of mentoring, training, or blog posts related to cloud native engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior level of this role, the portfolio should showcase a high level of technical expertise and leadership, with a focus on complex cloud infrastructure projects and mentoring examples.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role is €5,742 to €8,865 per month, depending on your work experience. This range is based on market research for senior cloud native engineering roles in the Netherlands.

Benefits:

• 13th month salary, with a portion paid monthly and the rest in January of the following year, plus an individual and collective annual salary increase according to the company's Collective Labor Agreement (CAO).
• €1,500 per year in inzetbaarheidsbudget for training, coaching, and courses.
• Flexible vrije dagen, allowing you to manage your vacation time in consultation with your manager.
• A good work-life balance, including the option to work from home and flexible working hours.
• 50% discount on KPN products and services.
• Excellent pension plan with a total contribution of 23% of your pensionable salary, with KPN contributing 16% and you contributing 7%.
• Thuiswerkshop to optimize your home workspace, including a mobile phone and laptop.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range and benefits package are based on market research for senior cloud native engineering roles in the Netherlands, with regional adjustments for the Amersfoort area.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

• Industry: KPN is a leading telecommunications and IT services provider in the Netherlands, with a strong focus on innovation and technology.
• Company Size: KPN has approximately 27,000 employees, making it a large organization with a significant impact on the Dutch technology landscape.
• Founded: KPN was founded in 1906 and has a rich history in the Dutch telecommunications industry.

Team Structure:

• The team consists of experienced cloud native engineers, DevOps specialists, and site reliability engineers, working together to build, manage, and optimize the hybrid cloud platform.
• The team follows an Agile/Scrum methodology, with regular sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives.
• The team works closely with other departments, including product management, design, and business stakeholders, to ensure that cloud infrastructure meets business needs and user expectations.

Development Methodology:

• The team follows Agile/Scrum methodologies, with a focus on continuous integration, continuous delivery, and continuous improvement.
• Code reviews, testing, and quality assurance practices are integral to the development process.
• Deployment strategies include CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment, with a strong focus on infrastructure as code.

Company Website: https://www.kpn.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: KPN's culture is characterized by a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and customer-centricity, with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is at the senior level, with a focus on leading cloud native engineering efforts, mentoring junior engineers, and driving technical roadmaps and best practices.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Cloud Native Engineer reports directly to the Head of Cloud Engineering and works closely with other senior engineers, product managers, and business stakeholders.

Technical Impact: The role has a significant impact on the design, implementation, and management of the hybrid cloud platform, ensuring high availability, scalability, and fault tolerance. The role also influences the technical direction of the team and contributes to the development of cloud architecture and infrastructure best practices.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Leadership: The role offers opportunities to grow into a technical leadership position, with the potential to manage teams, define technical roadmaps, and make critical architecture decisions.
• Emerging Technologies: The role provides exposure to emerging cloud technologies and best practices, with opportunities to specialize in specific areas and drive innovation within the team.
• Mentoring & Coaching: The role offers the opportunity to mentor and coach junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement and developing your own leadership skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential, with opportunities to advance your technical leadership skills, gain exposure to emerging technologies, and make a meaningful impact on the hybrid cloud platform.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and teamwork, with a mix of open-plan and dedicated team spaces.

Office Location(s): The office is located in Amersfoort, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: The workspace is designed to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing, with dedicated team spaces and regular team-building activities.
• Development Tools: The team has access to the latest development tools, multiple monitors, and testing devices to ensure optimal productivity and efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Interaction: The workspace facilitates interaction with other teams, including product management, design, and business stakeholders, to ensure that cloud infrastructure meets business needs and user expectations.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is flexible, with a focus on results and delivery. The team works in sprints, with regular sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment at KPN is characterized by a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning, with a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive team culture.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

1. Technical Preparation: Review the job description and ensure you have a solid understanding of the required skills and responsibilities. Familiarize yourself with the company's technology stack and cloud native engineering best practices.
2. Phone Screening: A brief phone call to discuss your background, experience, and motivation for the role.
3. Technical Assessment: A hands-on technical assessment, focusing on your ability to design, implement, and manage cloud infrastructure using Kubernetes, Terraform, and other relevant tools.
4. Behavioral Interview: A discussion of your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and cultural fit with the company.
5. Final Decision: A final decision is made based on your technical assessment, behavioral interview, and overall fit with the team and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight your expertise in cloud native engineering by showcasing projects that demonstrate your ability to design, implement, and manage scalable cloud infrastructure.
• Include case studies that illustrate your problem-solving skills and the impact you've made on previous projects.
• Showcase your proficiency in Terraform by including examples of complex modules you've written, managed, and optimized.
• Highlight your experience with Kubernetes by demonstrating your ability to deploy, manage, scale, and troubleshoot Kubernetes clusters.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

• Brush up on your knowledge of Kubernetes, Terraform, and other relevant tools, with a focus on cloud native engineering best practices.
• Practice designing, implementing, and managing cloud infrastructure using the company's technology stack.
• Prepare for troubleshooting and problem-solving scenarios, with a focus on cloud infrastructure and applications.

ATS Keywords: Kubernetes, Terraform, Ansible, Puppet, CI/CD, Agile, Scrum, Linux, Cloud Native, Infrastructure as Code, Hybrid Cloud, System Design, Problem Solving, Mentoring, Leadership, Emerging Technologies

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit with the team and company. The portfolio review and technical challenge preparation tips are tailored to help you showcase your expertise in cloud native engineering and make a strong impression throughout the interview process.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: Not applicable to this role.

Backend & Server Technologies:

• Kubernetes (OCP, AKS)
• Docker, Podman
• Terraform
• Puppet, Ansible
• GitHub Actions, GitLab Pipelines
• Prometheus, Vector, Loki
• Kubebuilder, kube-rs
• Azure Local, Azure SDK

Development & DevOps Tools:

• Git (GitHub, GitLab)
• Jenkins, ArgoCD
• Docker Compose, Helm
• AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform
• Terraform Plugin Framework, Operator SDK

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role is focused on cloud native engineering, with a strong emphasis on Kubernetes, Terraform, and other relevant tools for designing, implementing, and managing scalable cloud infrastructure.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

• Innovation: KPN values innovation and encourages its engineers to stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and best practices in cloud native engineering.
• Collaboration: KPN fosters a culture of collaboration, with a strong emphasis on teamwork, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional cooperation.
• Customer-Centricity: KPN is committed to delivering high-quality, reliable, and secure cloud infrastructure that meets the needs of its customers and users.
• Continuous Learning: KPN encourages its engineers to pursue continuous learning and professional development opportunities, with a focus on staying current with emerging technologies and industry trends.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The team works closely with other departments, including product management, design, and business stakeholders, to ensure that cloud infrastructure meets business needs and user expectations.
• Code Review Culture: The team follows a code review culture, with a focus on knowledge sharing, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.
• Peer Programming: The team encourages peer programming and pair programming sessions to foster knowledge sharing, skill development, and code quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: KPN's culture is characterized by a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and customer-centricity, with a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive team environment that supports the growth and development of its engineers.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

• Scalability: Design, implement, and manage scalable cloud infrastructure that can handle increased workloads and traffic.
• Fault Tolerance: Ensure high availability and fault tolerance in the hybrid cloud platform, with a focus on minimizing downtime and maintaining service level agreements (SLAs).
• Security: Implement and maintain robust security measures to protect cloud infrastructure and user data from unauthorized access and attacks.
• Cost Optimization: Optimize cloud infrastructure for cost-efficiency, with a focus on reducing waste and maximizing resource utilization.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Pursue opportunities to specialize in specific areas of cloud native engineering, such as container security, service mesh, or cloud architecture.
• Leadership Development: Develop your leadership skills through mentoring, coaching, and team management opportunities.
• Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with emerging cloud technologies and best practices, with a focus on continuous learning and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant technical challenges and growth opportunities, with a focus on designing, implementing, and managing scalable, secure, and cost-efficient cloud infrastructure. The learning and development opportunities are tailored to help you advance your technical skills, leadership abilities, and career prospects in cloud native engineering.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

• Architecture & Design: Describe your approach to designing scalable, secure, and robust cloud infrastructure using Kubernetes and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles.
• Cloud Infrastructure Management: Explain your experience with managing and optimizing cloud infrastructure using Kubernetes, Terraform, Ansible, and other relevant tools.
• CI/CD Pipeline Management: Discuss your experience with developing, maintaining, and optimizing CI/CD pipelines for efficient and reliable software delivery.
• Troubleshooting & Problem-Solving: Describe your approach to diagnosing and resolving complex technical issues in cloud infrastructure and applications.
• Team Leadership & Collaboration: Explain your experience with leading and collaborating with cross-functional teams to define, design, and ship new features.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Cloud Native Engineering at KPN: Research KPN's approach to cloud native engineering and discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's technology stack and methodologies.
• Agile/Scrum Methodology: Describe your experience working in an Agile/Scrum team environment and discuss how you contribute to sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives.
• User-Centric Design: Explain your approach to designing and implementing cloud infrastructure that meets user needs and expectations, with a focus on accessibility, performance, and usability.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Cloud Infrastructure Projects: Highlight your expertise in cloud native engineering by showcasing projects that demonstrate your ability to design, implement, and manage scalable cloud infrastructure.
• Case Studies: Include case studies that illustrate your problem-solving skills and the impact you've made on previous projects.
• Technical Documentation: Showcase your understanding of cloud infrastructure design, architecture, and infrastructure as code by including examples of your technical documentation and knowledge-sharing efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation tips are designed to help you showcase your expertise in cloud native engineering, with a focus on architecture, design, management, and optimization strategies. The company and culture questions are tailored to help you demonstrate your understanding of KPN's approach to cloud native engineering and your alignment with the company's values and methodologies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Cloud Native Engineer position at KPN:

1. Review the Job Description: Thoroughly review the job description to ensure you understand the required skills, responsibilities, and qualifications.
2. Update Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments in cloud native engineering, with a focus on the required technologies and methodologies.
3. Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate your portfolio to showcase your expertise in cloud native engineering, with a focus on projects that demonstrate your ability to design, implement, and manage scalable cloud infrastructure.
4. Research KPN: Familiarize yourself with KPN's approach to cloud native engineering, technology stack, and company culture to ensure a strong fit with the organization.
5. Practice Technical Challenges: Brush up on your knowledge of Kubernetes, Terraform, and other relevant tools, with a focus on cloud native engineering best practices and problem-solving strategies.

⚠️ 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.