Principal DevOps Engineer
Summary
A fully remote Principal DevOps Engineer role (posted via recruiter Placements24 for a software development client) focused on building and scaling CI/CD pipelines, automating infrastructure with tools like Terraform and Ansible, and managing Kubernetes-based platforms across AWS/Azure/GCP. Requires 8+ years in DevOps/systems roles plus monitoring and mentoring experience.
About the Role
Our client, a trailblazing software development company, is seeking a highly experienced and influential Principal DevOps Engineer to join their entirely remote engineering division. This senior position is critical for enhancing our client's development, deployment, and operational processes. You will be instrumental in building and scaling robust CI/CD pipelines, automating infrastructure, and fostering a culture of collaboration between development and operations teams. Working remotely, you will have the autonomy to innovate and implement cutting‑edge DevOps practices across multiple projects. This role demands a proactive leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, distributed environment and is passionate about operational excellence and continuous improvement in Rustenburg, North West, ZA and beyond.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and maintain scalable and reliable CI/CD pipelines for various applications and services.
- Automate infrastructure provisioning, configuration management, and application deployment using tools like Terraform, Ansible, or Chef.
- Develop and manage container orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes or Docker Swarm.
- Implement and manage monitoring, logging, and alerting systems to ensure application health and performance.
- Collaborate closely with development and QA teams to optimize the software development lifecycle.
- Champion DevOps best practices, including Infrastructure as Code (IaC), continuous integration, and continuous delivery.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex infrastructure and deployment issues in production environments.
- Develop and maintain robust security practices within the DevOps pipeline.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the team's technical growth.
- Explore and integrate new DevOps tools and technologies to improve efficiency.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent extensive experience.
- 8+ years of experience in system administration, software engineering, or DevOps roles.
- Deep expertise in building and managing CI/CD pipelines using tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI.
- Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
- Extensive experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and their respective services.
- Strong understanding of containerization technologies (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
- Experience with configuration management tools (Ansible, Chef, Puppet).
- Familiarity with monitoring tools like Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack.
- Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to work independently in a remote setting.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Benefits
Our client offers a highly competitive salary, performance‑based bonuses, comprehensive health coverage, and a generous retirement savings plan. They provide significant opportunities for professional development, including access to training, conferences, and certification programs. As a remote‑first company, you will enjoy maximum flexibility, a home office stipend, and the chance to work with a global team of talented professionals. Join a culture that fosters innovation, autonomy, and continuous learning.