Open Source Software Engineer (mid/senior) - kcp (CNCF Sandbox Project) (f,m,d)

Location: Remote (Time zone: CET +/- 4hrs) on-site/hybrid in Hamburg, Germany. We are a remote-first company.

Shape the Future of Developer Platforms

The kcp project is redefining how organizations build multi-tenant platforms at scale. As a CNCF Sandbox project, kcp provides a horizontally scalable Kubernetes control plane that powers next‑generation developer platforms from large EU initiatives like Apeirora, the CNCF contributor portal, and Kubermatic's own Developer Platform. We’re tackling one of modern enterprises' hardest problems: how to bring a single pane of glass to the modern IT landscape inside companies. It is not only a technology, but a foundation and framework to work with heterogeneous technologies that we manage at scale.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop and maintain upstream kcp projects under the CNCF umbrella, contributing to a project envisioned to support one million workspaces across 10,000 shards.
• Design and implement Kubernetes controllers and operators that power multi‑tenant platforms at scale.
• Write secure, well‑tested, and performant code that meets production standards for distributed systems.
• Implement CI/CD automation and end‑to‑end testing workflows that ensure reliability at scale.
• Engage with the CNCF community and contribute to roadmap discussions for kcp and related projects.
• Represent Kubermatic’s values in public communications and community contributions.
• Participate in code reviews, maintaining high standards for a distributed systems environment.
• Contribute to the Kubermatic Developer Platform.

What We’re Looking For

• Real‑world experience building Kubernetes controllers and operators, with an in-depth understanding of Kubernetes API machinery and core controllers.
• Proven ability to write clean, maintainable, and efficient code for cloud infrastructure.
• Comfort with container technologies, cloud‑native architectures, and the challenges of building systems at scale.
• Ability to articulate complex technical and architectural problems and propose iterative solutions.
• A pragmatic and collaborative mindset with a focus on results and shipping quality software (we often pair on complex features).
• Excellent English communication skills for documentation, code reviews, and community engagement.
• Track record of contributions to open source projects in the cloud‑native space is a strong plus.
• Experience with CNCF projects or Kubernetes ecosystem tools is highly desirable.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• B2B contracts available, with annual paid time off plus local bank holidays
• Remote‑first: work from anywhere in Europe (CET ±4h)
• A dynamic yet laid‑back team environment
• Regular hackathons and company offsite meetings
• Best‑in‑class development tools of your choice
• Full support for training, certifications (CKA, Linux Foundation, etc.), and conference attendance
• As a CNCF member, you get access to certified courses and first‑class information about the Kubernetes ecosystem
• Speaker support: we’ll back you if you want to present at events
• Active community involvement: enjoy our meetups and our flagship community conference, ContainerDays

About Kubermatic

Kubermatic has a long‑standing commitment to open source and the cloud‑native community. We’re building platforms that enable organizations to deliver software faster and more reliably. Our work on kcp isn’t just about technology; it’s about making powerful infrastructure accessible and simple to use at any scale.

Process

1. A 30‑minute call with our People Manager
2. A 90‑minute technical interview with two members of the team
3. A 30‑minute meeting with Engineering Leadership
4. A 45‑minute meeting with Sebastian Scheele (Technical Co‑founder and CEO)

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