GCP Cloud Engineer

Job Description: GCP Container Migration & Modernization SME

Summary: The GCP Container Migration & Modernization SME will be responsible for leading the strategic planning, technical execution, and post-migration optimization of containerized workloads to Google Cloud Platform, specifically leveraging services like Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE). This role requires deep expertise in cloud-native technologies, migration methodologies, and operational best practices to ensure a seamless and efficient transition for business-critical applications.

Key responsibilities

• Discovery and analysis
• Conduct detailed inventories of existing container clusters, workloads, namespaces, and persistent volumes to assess the current environment.
• Analyze the environment to identify duplication, gaps in tagging and labeling, and evaluate the readiness of workloads for migration.
• Engage with internal and external customers to understand requirements, dependencies, and business objectives.
• Migration planning
• Develop comprehensive migration plans and decision trees to determine the appropriate migration pattern for each workload (e.g., dedicated node pool, multi-tenancy, multi-region).
• Map and document application dependencies, including integrations with external systems like GitHub, Artifact Registry, Harness, and Terraform Cloud.
• Design and automate network connectivity and namespace vending to support the new cloud environment.
• Execution
• Lead the building and configuration of new GKE clusters in alignment with approved architectural patterns.
• Provide hands-on support for workload migration, working closely with business CIOs and development teams.
• Implement progressive rollout strategies, such as blue/green deployments, to minimize downtime and risk during the transition.
• Oversee the decommissioning of legacy clusters and infrastructure after successful migration.
• Support and enablement
• Develop and deliver developer onboarding and training programs on new GKE environments and cloud-native tools.
• Create comprehensive documentation and facilitate operational handovers to ensure successful long-term management.

Skills Required:

• Proven experience in designing and executing large-scale cloud migration projects.
• Deep expertise in Google Cloud Platform, with extensive hands-on experience in Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE).
• Experience with containerization technologies, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform.
• Strong understanding of network architecture, security best practices, and FinOps principles in a cloud context.
• Experience with Container Security, including:
• Implementing and managing GKE security features such as Workload Identity, Pod Security Policies (or the newer Pod Security Admission controller), and GKE Sandbox.
• Configuring and enforcing network policies to control traffic between pods and namespaces.
• Using container scanning and vulnerability management tools to secure container images.
• Implementing Binary Authorization to ensure only trusted images are deployed to clusters.
• Establishing robust IAM policies for GKE and related GCP services.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect or DevOps Engineer) are a plus.