Staff Backend Engineer, Gitlab Delivery: Upgrades
WFA Digital Insight
As demand for cloud-native deployment specialists grows, companies like Gitlab are looking for experts to lead their self-managed deployment strategies. With over 50 million registered users, Gitlab's impact on the digital transformation landscape is undeniable. In this role, you'll have the opportunity to work with a high-performance team and shape the technical direction for Gitlab's cloud-native deployments. Given the current remote job market, candidates with experience in Kubernetes, Helm, and automation frameworks are in high demand. Before applying, consider what you can bring to the table in terms of technical vision and architecture expertise.
Job Description
About the Role
As a Staff Backend Engineer on the Gitlab Delivery - Upgrades team, you will be responsible for guiding the technical direction for Gitlab's self-managed deployment strategy. This involves working closely with cross-functional teams to shape cloud-native, operator-driven deployment patterns that reduce operational complexity and upgrade friction. Your expertise will help customers deploy, upgrade, and run Gitlab reliably in their own infrastructure with minimal disruption.The Gitlab Delivery - Upgrades team is focused on building technology that transforms how the world develops software. As a Staff Backend Engineer, you will serve as a technical anchor for the team, working closely with your engineering manager, product manager, and partners across Site Reliability Engineering, Release, Security, and Development.
In your first year, you'll help define the architecture for zero-downtime upgrades, strengthen observability and reliability practices, and guide the next generation of deployment automation for self-managed Gitlab environments. Some examples of projects you'll work on include evolving Gitlab Operator and Helm charts to support zero-downtime upgrades for complex, stateful Gitlab installations, and advancing the Gitlab Environment Toolkit to simplify large-scale, production-ready self-managed deployments.
What You Will Do
- Guide the technical vision and architecture for Gitlab's cloud-native, self-managed deployments and upgrade workflows
- Establish operational maturity standards, service integration patterns, and deployment models that help development teams manage the lifecycle of their components
- Design and maintain Kubernetes Operators, Helm charts, and upgrade orchestration tooling for self-managed Gitlab deployments across varied environments
- Develop automation and integration frameworks for database migrations, rolling deployments, compatibility checks, and rollback paths
- Define database and application lifecycle strategies, including safe PostgreSQL migration approaches and validation mechanisms that reduce downtime risk
- Work with cross-functional teams to shape cloud-native, operator-driven deployment patterns that reduce operational complexity and upgrade friction
- Collaborate with the engineering manager, product manager, and partners to drive the technical direction for the team
- Participate in the development of the next generation of deployment automation for self-managed Gitlab environments
- Contribute to the evolution of Gitlab Operator and Helm charts to support zero-downtime upgrades
- Advance the Gitlab Environment Toolkit to simplify large-scale, production-ready self-managed deployments
What We Are Looking For
- 5+ years of experience in software development, with a focus on backend engineering
- Strong expertise in Kubernetes, Helm, and automation frameworks
- Experience with cloud-native deployment patterns and operator-driven deployment models
- Strong understanding of database and application lifecycle strategies
- Experience with PostgreSQL migration approaches and validation mechanisms
- Strong collaboration and communication skills
- Experience working in a high-performance team and driving technical direction
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to debug complex issues
- Experience with Gitlab or similar platforms
Nice to Have
- Experience with machine learning or artificial intelligence
- Familiarity with DevSecOps principles and practices
- Experience with agile development methodologies
- Strong understanding of security and compliance risk
Benefits and Perks
- Remote work opportunities
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
- Access to cutting-edge technologies and tools
- Flexible working hours and work-life balance
- Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance
- Comprehensive health and wellness programs
- Generous parental leave policy
How to Stand Out
- Tip: Highlight your experience with Kubernetes, Helm, and automation frameworks in your resume and cover letter.
- Tip: Showcase your understanding of cloud-native deployment patterns and operator-driven deployment models in your portfolio or previous work.
- Tip: Be prepared to discuss your experience with database and application lifecycle strategies, including safe PostgreSQL migration approaches and validation mechanisms.
- Tip: Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively in a high-performance team and drive technical direction.
- Tip: Research Gitlab's values and mission, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's goals.
- Tip: Consider reaching out to current or former Gitlab employees to learn more about the company culture and what to expect in the interview process.
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