Senior Manager, Kubernetes Runtime Engineering

Quick Facts

Senior Manager role leading Kubernetes runtime engineering for production-grade, multi-tenant GPU workload clusters, covering the full cluster configuration lifecycle.

Description

Lead the Runtime Engineering team responsible for building, implementing, and ensuring operational reliability of NKE tenant cluster configurations—covering cluster bootstrapping, node configuration, and the container execution environment including NVIDIA AI Container Runtime (AICR). You will manage engineers across the container runtime stack and drive architecture decisions for networking, storage, cluster HA, and GPU resource partitioning. You will also implement security hardening and build tooling to manage AICR lifecycle, upgrades, and configuration drift.

Responsibilities

• Own the build, implementation, and operational reliability of cluster configurations across supported NKE topologies
• Manage engineers coordinating AICR, GPU management operator, DCGM, and related node-level components
• Drive architecture decisions for CNI, CSI, cluster HA, and GPU resource partitioning (MIG, MPS, time-slicing)
• Define and implement cluster hardening standards, including RBAC models, pod security policies, and multi-tenancy isolation boundaries
• Partner with platform, infrastructure, and cybersecurity teams to integrate new capabilities and resolve cross-cutting runtime concerns
• Build and maintain tooling for AICR lifecycle management: provisioning, upgrades, configuration drift detection, and remediation
• Represent the runtime team in architecture reviews, roadmap planning, and technical customer communications
• Contribute to upstream open source communities tied to NKE dependencies

Requirements

• BS/MS in Computer Science or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 12+ years of experience delivering large-scale distributed software systems
• 5+ years people-management experience leading and scaling high-performing production-critical teams
• Experience leading teams across runtime, networking, and security domains
• Deep Kubernetes internals knowledge (scheduler, kubelet, API server, admission controllers)
• Cluster lifecycle management experience (Cluster API, kubeadm, or equivalent), including fleet-scale provisioning and upgrades
• Security and compliance experience: CIS Kubernetes Benchmark, pod security admission, image signing, supply chain integrity
• Ability to design and implement maintainable APIs
• Familiarity with Identity and Access Management approaches
• Proven ability to lead across organizations and reach consensus

Benefits

• Competitive base salary range: $272,000–$431,250 (based on location and experience)
• Eligibility for equity and benefits