Principal Software Engineer - (Kubernetes - AKS)

Principal Software Engineer - (Kubernetes - AKS)
Join AT&T and reimagine the communications and technologies that connect the world. The Technology Services organization is responsible for advancing information technology performance and delivering solutions with a focus on maximizing ROI, increasing efficiency and enhancing the experience of end users. Guided by experienced leaders, Corporate Systems seamlessly integrate with advanced Technology and Operations to drive our enterprise forward. Our Systems Reliability and Software Delivery teams are unwavering in their commitment to excellence, ensuring every solution is robust and efficient. When you step into a career with AT&T, you won't just imagine the future, you'll create it.

About the team:

AT&T is building new engineering teams focused on advancing emerging technologies, next-generation infrastructure, and modern software development practices. As part of a strategic Containers/Kubernetes Everywhere initiative, we are expanding our platform engineering capabilities to simplify application deployment, accelerate modernization efforts, and enhance the developer experience across the enterprise.

This team is responsible for building scalable, secure, and reusable container-based solutions that enable development teams to rapidly deliver software while maintaining operational excellence, security, and compliance standards.

What You'll Do:

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will help design, build, and enhance cloud-native platform capabilities that support enterprise application teams leveraging Kubernetes-based platforms. You will work closely with developers, platform engineers, security teams, and architecture partners to reduce delivery friction, improve onboarding experiences, and drive standardization across containerized environments.

Key responsibilities include:

• Design, develop, and support container-based platform solutions that improve developer productivity and accelerate software delivery.
• Build and maintain Kubernetes platform capabilities, reusable deployment patterns, and automation frameworks.
• Develop and optimize CI/CD pipelines that support secure, scalable, and efficient application deployment.
• Create and maintain Helm charts, deployment templates, and platform automation tools.
• Partner with application development teams to improve onboarding, self-service capabilities, and adoption of containerized solutions.
• Implement security best practices across containerized and Kubernetes environments, including vulnerability management and compliance controls.
• Support platform reliability, performance optimization, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive cloud-native engineering standards and platform modernization efforts.
• Troubleshoot complex issues within containerized environments and implement long-term solutions.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and contribute to continuous platform innovation.

What you'll need:

• 7+ years Experience developing enterprise software applications using Java.
• Advanced Bash scripting, Linux OS internals & the boot chain, Containers / OCI. Podman, CI/CD pipeline engineering, Python
• Knowledge of different flavors of Linux (RHEL, Rocky, CentOS, Ubuntu etc), Packer
• Strong AI assisted delivery mindset
• Hands-on experience building and supporting Kubernetes environments (Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS).
• Strong experience with Helm for Kubernetes application packaging and deployment.
• Experience designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines.
• Understanding of containerization concepts and modern software delivery practices.
• Knowledge of infrastructure automation and DevOps methodologies.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to learning new technologies and adapting in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Strong knowledge of Docker and Docker Compose.
• Experience with Terraform and Terraform Cloud.
• Experience with GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, and DevOps automation.
• Experience with API Development and API Security.
• Experience implementing container security solutions and controls.
• Knowledge of container security and vulnerability management tools including:
  • Aqua Security
  • Qualys
  • Trivy
  • Snyk
• Experience conducting vulnerability assessments, security remediation, and risk mitigation activities.
• Knowledge of Kubernetes performance optimization and observability practices.
• Experience securing Kubernetes clusters and workloads.
• Experience with service mesh technologies.
• Experience supporting enterprise developer platforms and platform engineering initiatives.
• Familiarity with evaluation, monitoring, logging, and observability frameworks.
• Experience leveraging Generative AI tools, including GitHub Copilot and prompt engineering techniques, to improve engineering productivity.
• Experience working in Agile environments utilizing Jira Cloud.

This position requires office presence of a minimum of 5 days per week and is only located in the location(s) posted. No relocation is offered.

AT&T will not hire any applicants for this position who require employer sponsorship now or in the future. 

Joining our team comes with amazing perks and benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision coverage
• 401(k) plan
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Paid Time Off and Holidays (based on date of hire, at least 23 days of vacation each year and 9 company-designated holidays)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Caregiver Leave
• Additional sick leave beyond what state and local law require may be available but is unprotected
• Adoption Reimbursement
• Disability Benefits (short term and long term)
• Life and Accidental Death Insurance
• Supplemental benefit programs: critical illness/accident hospital indemnity/group legal
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Extensive employee wellness programs
• Employee discounts up to 50% off on eligible AT&T mobility plans and accessories, AT&T internet (and fiber where available) and AT&T phone

Weekly Hours:

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AT&T and its subsidiaries are committed to equal employment opportunity. All hiring, promotion, and other employment decisions remain merit-based and free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, pregnancy, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. In addition, AT&T will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. AT&T is a fair chance employer and does not initiate a background check until an offer is made. Click here to learn more or request an application accommodation here.