Cloud Operations Engineer

MRI Technologies has an exciting opportunity for a Cloud Operations Engineer on the JETS II contract at NASA Johnson Space Center. You will help design, build, and operate enterprise-grade, multi-tenant cloud platform services across all three major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud) that NASA teams rely on to deploy commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and cloud-native applications. The work directly supports NASA human spaceflight missions, including Orion, Lunar Gateway, and Artemis.

This is a senior, hands-on cloud platform engineering role - not a help desk, cloud-console-only, or traditional on-premises sysadmin position. Candidates should have direct production experience running Kubernetes and automating infrastructure as code across one or more major cloud providers.

A Day in the Life

You will develop new cloud-native platform services and administer NASA cloud networks, managing requests to deploy COTS and cloud-native applications into those environments. Much of your work will center on managed Kubernetes offerings (EKS, AKS, GKE), including integrating cloud-managed AI and data services with bespoke and open-source Kubernetes applications. You will write quality code, give thoughtful, engaged code reviews to your peers, and help define and promote best practices for cloud-native application development across the organization. You will look for opportunities to abstract requirements from prospective projects into reusable, multi-tenant platform services, and you will partner with NASA security and compliance teams to make sure platforms and the teams using them follow industry best practices and regulatory requirements.

What We Are Looking For

Required - Core Platform Experience (Must Have)

• Hands-on, production experience running Kubernetes - ideally a managed offering such as EKS, AKS, or GKE. Experience must include operating and troubleshooting clusters, not solely deploying applications to a cluster someone else manages.
• Proficiency with infrastructure as code using Terraform or an open-source alternative such as OpenTofu.
• Hands-on experience building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines, with strong GitLab proficiency (including administering GitLab and GitLab CI/CD).

Required - General

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent certification in a related field, with 10–15 years of experience in the field or a related area
• Extensive Linux experience (Windows familiarity is a plus, but not required)
• Expert-level skill in at least one programming language (Go and/or Python preferred)
• Experience with Python and SQL
• Experience with observability and monitoring tools such as Grafana and Apache Superset
• Demonstrated problem-solving, planning, and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment

Preferences

• Experience architecting and building cloud-native applications
• Experience across more than one of the major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• Working understanding of machine learning model lifecycle management (MLOps)
• Experience with R
• Demonstrated success owning the full project lifecycle, from requirements through operations
• Good instincts for identifying opportunities for abstraction and reuse
• Ability to balance individual project tasks with overall platform and company goals
• Solution-oriented mindset; welcomes and acts on feedback
• Self-motivated and self-managing, with strong organizational skills
• Clear communicator who keeps leadership informed with regular status updates and builds consensus with peers
• Knowledge of NASA or federal security mechanisms (security plans, POA&Ms, ATOs, risk assessments)

This position has been posted at multiple levels. Depending on your experience and business needs, we may consider candidates at any level for which the position is advertised.

Benefits and Perks

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off, and 401(k). You'll also enjoy a 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off, when applicable), excellent personal and professional growth opportunities, and the chance to build the cloud platforms that support NASA's return to the Moon and deep space exploration.

MRI Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

As we are a Federal Contractor, most positions require the employee to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government background investigation. MRI also completes a pre-screening background check for anyone offered employment.