Senior DevOps Engineer

Senior DevOps Engineer - AWS

Location: Hybrid - 2 days per week on site in Manchester or Newcastle

Work Pattern: Full Time/12 month fixed term contract

Security Clearance: active SC is preferred, however we can consider candidates who are eligible for SC.

The Company:

At Amber Labs, we are a cutting-edge UK and European technology consultancy that prioritises empowering autonomy, promoting experimentation, and facilitating rapid learning to provide exceptional value to our clients. Our company culture is centred around collaboration, where all colleagues, regardless of their role, work together to minimise risk and shorten delivery times. Our team consists of highly-skilled cross-functional consultants, analysts, and support staff.

About the Role:

We are looking for an experienced AWS DevOps Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for the automation, deployment, scaling, and management of cloud-based applications and infrastructure on AWS. You will work closely with development, QA, and IT teams to ensure smooth and reliable operation of software and systems. Key focus areas include AWS cloud services, Kubernetes orchestration, Helm for managing Kubernetes applications, Docker, GitLab CI/CD, and API Gateways.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and manage highly available, scalable, and secure infrastructure on AWS. Utilise services such as EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, and CloudFormation to automate deployment and scaling of cloud-based applications.
• Manage Kubernetes clusters across multiple environments. Automate the deployment, scaling, and management of containerised applications using Kubernetes, ensuring optimal performance and availability.
• Use Helm to package and deploy Kubernetes applications. Create and manage Helm charts for deploying microservices, ensuring version control, rollback capabilities, and configuration management.
• Build, deploy, and manage Docker containers for application development, testing, and deployment. Ensure seamless integration of Docker containers within Kubernetes environments.
• Set up, configure, and manage AWS API Gateway to expose and manage APIs. Work with the development teams to ensure secure and optimised communication between microservices and external systems.
• Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines using GitLab to ensure continuous integration, delivery, and deployment of applications. Collaborate with the development team to optimise pipeline efficiency and ensure code quality.
• Implement monitoring solutions using AWS CloudWatch, Prometheus, Grafana, or similar tools to ensure visibility into application performance, health, and security. Troubleshoot production issues and provide resolution.
• Ensure the security of cloud infrastructure by implementing best practices like IAM roles and policies, encryption, and regular security assessments. Maintain compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
• Work closely with software developers, QA engineers, and IT teams to define infrastructure needs and support software releases. Maintain clear documentation for infrastructure, processes, and procedures.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

AWS Expertise:

• Strong hands-on experience with AWS cloud services (EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, VPC, IAM, CloudFormation, etc.). AWS certifications (e.g., AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, AWS Certified Solutions Architect) are a plus.

Kubernetes Experience:

• Proficient in managing Kubernetes clusters and deploying containerised applications using Docker and Kubernetes. Experience with multi-cluster environments and Kubernetes troubleshooting.

Helm Proficiency:

• Strong knowledge of Helm for packaging and deploying Kubernetes applications. Ability to manage complex Helm charts for microservices architecture.

Docker Experience:

• Hands-on experience with Docker for building, managing, and deploying containers. Knowledge of Docker Compose and container orchestration within Kubernetes environments.

GitLab CI/CD:

• Experience with building and managing CI/CD pipelines using GitLab. Strong understanding of continuous integration and delivery processes, including automated testing, code linting, and security checks.

API Gateways:

• Hands-on experience configuring and managing API Gateways, particularly AWS API Gateway. Familiarity with API security, throttling, and monitoring.

Automation & Scripting:

• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or PowerShell. Experience automating infrastructure tasks using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform or AWS CloudFormation.

Monitoring & Logging Tools:

• Experience with monitoring and logging tools such as AWS CloudWatch, Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana).

Version Control & Collaboration:

• Experience with Git-based version control systems (GitHub, GitLab). Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with serverless architectures using AWS Lambda.
• Experience with containerisation tools like Docker.
• Knowledge of microservices architecture and design patterns.
• Familiarity with other cloud providers like GCP or Azure is a plus.
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer or other relevant certifications.

Soft Skills:

• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot complex systems.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• A proactive, detail-oriented, and hands-on approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.

Benefits:

• Join a rapidly expanding start-up where personal growth is a part of our DNA.
• Benefit from a flexible work environment focused on deliverable outcomes.
• Receive private medical insurance through Aviva.
• Enjoy the benefits of a company pension plan through Nest.
• 25 days of annual leave plus UK bank holidays.
• Access Perkbox, a global employee rewards platform offering discounts, perks, and wellness resources.
• Participate in a generous employee referral program.
• A highly collaborative and collegial environment with opportunities for career advancement.
• Be encouraged to take bold steps and embrace a mindset of experimentation.
• Choose your preferred device, PC or Mac.

Diversity & Inclusion:

Here at Amber Labs, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace for all. Our commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion includes:

• Valuing the unique experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of all employees and creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued.

• Prohibiting all forms of harassment, bullying, discrimination, and victimisation and promoting a culture of dignity and respect for all.

• Educating all new hires on our Diversity and Inclusion policies and ensuring they are aware of their rights and responsibilities to create a safe and inclusive workplace.

• By taking these steps, we are dedicated to building a workplace that reflects and celebrates the diversity of our employees and communities.

What Happens Next?

Our Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch to advise you on the next steps. We have a two-stage interview process for most of our consultants. In certain cases, we may include a third and final stage, which is a conversation with the company Partners. This will only be considered if deemed necessary.