Lead Platform Engineer - Cloud & Developer Platforms (Kubernetes Required)

As a Lead Platform Engineer - Cloud & Developer Platforms , you will design, build, and operate Guardian's enterprise cloud application platforms and automation ecosystems. You will own critical components of the Amazon EKS platform lifecycle while also acting as a broad platform generalist, supporting automation, system design, and operational tooling that enable application teams to deploy, operate, and scale production workloads safely and consistently.

This role balances deep Kubernetes platform ownership with versatile engineering skills across scripting, Linux systems, automation, Helm charts, CI/CD, and serverless workflows. The focus is on operational reliability, security-by-default patterns, and disciplined platform lifecycle management that accelerates developer productivity while reducing operational risk.

You Are

• A Lead-level senior individual contributor reporting into platform leadership with strong hands-on expertise in Amazon EKS, combined with broad engineering depth across cloud platforms, automation, and systems troubleshooting.
• A technical authority and escalation point who enforces platform standards across production, non-production, and disaster recovery environments, using automation, guardrails, and repeatable practices.
• Comfortable operating with autonomy and sound judgment under ambiguity, applying operational data, platform maturity signals, and architectural principles to guide decisions.
• A pragmatic "get-things-done" engineer who can move fluently between platform design, scripting, debugging, and incident response.

You Will

• Complement deep EKS ownership with generalist platform responsibilities, including:
• Designing and maintaining automation and scripting solutions
• Debugging Linux-level, container, and networking issues
• Improving system reliability through tooling and standards
• Cluster and environment architecture
• Kubernetes and EKS version upgrades
• Node, AMI, and add-on lifecycle management
• Platform security controls and operational governance
• Design and operate CI/CD and automation pipelines for platform and infrastructure components using:
• Jenkins and Groovy
• GitHub and GitHub Actions
• Terraform
• Python and Shell scripting
• Lead the design and evolution of cloud platforms that support diverse workload patterns, including:
• Web services and APIs
• Long-running and background services
• Containerized workloads on Amazon EKS
• Serverless and event-driven workflows using AWS Lambda and Step Functions
• Embed validation controls, security gates, and safe promotion and rollback mechanisms directly into pipelines and workflows.
• Ensure platforms and workloads meet Guardian's observability standards by integrating with the enterprise observability and monitoring tooling, with telemetry and alerting aligned to workload criticality.
• Integrate approved security scanning tooling into delivery and platform pipelines for dependency and container image scanning.
• Act as a senior escalation point for platform-related production incidents, leading or contributing to root cause analysis and driving durable remediation.
• Partner closely with Application Engineering, Security Engineering, Observability, and Architecture teams to influence workload design, enforce secure-by-default patterns, and align with Guardian standards and future-state architecture.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to raising overall platform engineering, automation, and operational maturity.

• 7+ years of experience in platform engineering, cloud engineering, DevOps, SRE, or closely related roles.
• Strong hands-on experience with Kubernetes and Amazon EKS, including real-world production operations and upgrades.
• Broad engineering depth beyond Kubernetes, including:
• Linux systems troubleshooting
• Container runtimes and Docker
• Automation and scripting for operational workflows
• Hands-on experience with AWS Lambda, Step Functions, and serverless execution models.
• Strong proficiency in Infrastructure as Code using Terraform or equivalent tools.
• Experience building and operating CI/CD automation using Jenkins and/or GitHub Actions.
• Strong scripting and automation skills using Python and Shell.
• Solid understanding of how application architecture decisions impact reliability, security, and operations.
• Experience designing and operating platforms consumed by multiple application teams at enterprise scale.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex, cross-layer issues spanning:
• Kubernetes platforms
• Linux and containers
• CI/CD and automation tooling
• Security and observability systems, Guardian Life is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment-based visas (e.g., such as an H-1B). In order to be a successful applicant, you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship/support now or at any time in the future.

$118,980.00 - $195,465.00

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you'll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Every day, Guardian helps our 29 million customers realize their dreams through a range of insurance and financial products and services. Our Purpose, to inspire well-being, guides our dedication to the colleagues, consumers, and communities we serve. We know that people count, and we go above and beyond to prepare them for the life they want to live, focusing on their overall well-being - mind, body, and wallet. As one of the largest mutual insurance companies, we put our customers first. Behind every bright future is a GuardianTM. Learn more about Guardian at guardianlife.com ., Guardian Life is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment-based visas (e.g., such as an H-1B). In order to be a successful applicant, you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship/support now or at any time in the future.