Senior Software Engineer (Go, Kubernetes, AWS) [AQ-11930]

Senior Software Engineer, Platform Engineering – Go & Kubernetes

Overview

This team builds and operates Kubernetes clusters, custom Kubernetes operators, observability tooling and custom observability software, long-term storage systems, and multi-region infrastructure that support product teams worldwide.

About The Role

This is a hybrid role that sits at the intersection of software engineering and infrastructure. We need someone who can write greenfield Golang software — particularly in the observability space — and also operate and manage Kubernetes clusters across multiple regions. Candidates who are strong in only one of these two areas will not succeed in this role; both are required. THIS MUST have.

You’ll work on a Platform Engineering team supporting aligned product teams by planning work, coordinating with others, and building functionality that helps those teams ship with quality and reliability. This role is comfortable working in a paired-programming environment and requires strong, tactful written and verbal communication.

What You’ll Do

• Design and build greenfield software in Golang, particularly for the embedded observability space (custom tooling, agents, controllers).
• Design, deploy, and operate Kubernetes/EKS clusters in production across multiple regions globally.
• Build and maintain custom Kubernetes operators.
• Own observability and tracing infrastructure (OpenTelemetry, Datadog, Grafana) and contribute to custom-built observability software.
• Use Terraform to manage cloud infrastructure as code.
• Partner with product teams to plan work, coordinate priorities, and improve reliability and quality.

What You’ll Need

• 3–6 years of professional software development experience with strong, hands-on proficiency in Golang.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience deploying, operating, and troubleshooting Kubernetes/EKS clusters.
• 3+ years of experience hosting and operating services in AWS.
• Experience building or maintaining Kubernetes operators/controllers, or a strong working knowledge of Kubernetes internals and controller patterns.
• Experience with observability and tracing tooling (OpenTelemetry, Datadog, Grafana) or building observability software.
• Experience with Terraform or comparable infrastructure-as-code tooling.
• Ability to manage many competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, with tact and negotiation skill; self-driven and takes initiative.

Nice to Have

• Experience with additional languages such as Java, Rust, Python, or Scala

Location

Person will work a split schedule between onsite (Urbandale, IL) and remote.

Client Description

Aquent Studios is a global creative studio that delivers scale, speed and efficiency to the world’s most recognized brands. We create the work that matters the most to them—work that has a real impact on their business. As an Aquent Studio team member, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with the largest and most influential companies in the world, solving design challenges and extending their brands across tactic types and platforms, including digital design, UI/UX, video, motion, content, print design, web development, and more. If you want to do work that matters in a collaborative setting that values ingenuity and personal growth, you have found the right place!

Other Requirements

Compensation Range: $70.00-$72.26 per hour, W2 only. No C2C, please.

The range provided is our reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The actual amount may be higher or lower, based on factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and location.