Principal Technical Support Engineer

About the Job:

As an L3 Care Engineer, you will be responsible for the performance, availability and reliability of our cloud-based services and underlying infrastructure, acting as a critical technical subject matter expert. You will lead the resolution of complex, high-severity customer issues across Kubernetes, Red Hat OpenShift and OpenStack platforms, and serve as a final escalation point for our customers.

Our team operates on a follow-the-sun model, ensuring 24/7 coverage and rapid response times. While this may occasionally require shifts outside typical local business hours, total work hours remain consistent with a standard work week. A rotational on-call schedule is a mandatory part of this role: on-call experts provide immediate support for urgent cases, including direct customer contact (call/Teams) and prompt engagement in designated war rooms. All interventions are performed in live environments and must strictly follow the Standard Network Touch Policy.

What you will do:

• Manage, troubleshoot and optimize containerized applications and infrastructure deployed on Kubernetes, Red Hat OpenShift and OpenStack platforms.
• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for core cloud infrastructure technologies, including advanced Linux (CentOS) system administration, Docker/containers and complex networking configurations.
• Lead the investigation and resolution of complex, high-severity customer issues, quickly diagnosing problems across the entire cloud stack.
• Identify root causes and implement effective, durable solutions for customer incidents.
• Prepare and conduct rigorous Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for critical incidents to identify systemic issues and prevent recurrence.
• Develop, test and maintain robust automation using Python and Ansible to streamline daily operations and reduce manual effort in maintenance and deployment activities.
• Provide end-to-end Escalation, Monitoring and Emergency (EME) support as a final escalation point, ensuring service availability and meeting SLAs.
• Participate in the rotational on-call schedule, joining customer calls and war rooms for urgent cases.
• Liaise directly with customer and internal teams to understand requirements and deliver tailored technical solutions.
• Stay current with industry best practices and emerging technologies in cloud and containerization.

What you will bring:

• Linux expertise: strong knowledge and proven hands-on experience with Linux administration.
• Networking foundations: strong knowledge of core networking principles (TCP/IP, routing, load balancing, firewalls) in a cloud environment.
• Containerization & virtualization: strong knowledge of Kubernetes orchestration, OpenStack platforms and Docker/containers.
• Problem-solving mindset: sharp troubleshooting skills and an analytical approach to complex challenges.
• Scripting & automation: solid Python scripting skills for task automation and system management.
• Configuration management: hands-on experience with Ansible.
• Root Cause Analysis: expertise in preparing and implementing RCAs.
• Escalation & monitoring: proven experience with EME (Escalation, Monitoring and Emergency) management processes.
• Communication: excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to articulate complex issues clearly.
• Customer focus: ability to handle customer pressure and manage expectations with a positive, professional attitude.
• Teamwork: a strong team player, self-motivated and able to excel in a high-pressure, dynamic support environment.
• Willingness to work in shifts: comfortable with a follow-the-sun model and a mandatory rotational on-call schedule.

Considered a plus: one or more of the following certifications - Red Hat Certified Specialist in Cloud Infrastructure (EX210), RHCE in Red Hat OpenStack (EX310), RHCSA, RHCE, CKA, Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Administration (EX280), Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Automation and API Management (EX380).

About Red Hat

Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of enterpriseopen source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to deliver high-performing Linux, cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Spread across 40+ countries, our associates work flexibly across work environments, from in-office, to office-flex, to fully remote, depending on the requirements of their role. Red Hatters are encouraged to bring their best ideas, no matter their title or tenure. We're a leader in open source because of our open and inclusive environment. We hire creative, passionate people ready to contribute their ideas, help solve complex problems, and make an impact.

Inclusion at Red Hat
Red Hat’s culture is built on the open source principles of transparency, collaboration, and inclusion, where the best ideas can come from anywhere and anyone. When this is realized, it empowers people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to come together to share ideas, challenge the status quo, and drive innovation. Our aspiration is that everyone experiences this culture with equal opportunity and access, and that all voices are not only heard but also celebrated. We hope you will join our celebration, and we welcome and encourage applicants from all the beautiful dimensions that compose our global village.

Equal Opportunity Policy (EEO)
Red Hat is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We review applications for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, veteran status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

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About Red Hat

We’re the world’s leading provider of enterprise open source solutions—including Linux, cloud, container, and Kubernetes. We deliver hardened solutions that make it easier for enterprises to work across platforms and environments, from the core datacenter to the network edge.

Open unlocks the world’s potential

At Red Hat, our commitment to open source extends beyond technology into virtually everything we do. We collaborate and share ideas, create inclusive communities, and welcome diverse perspectives from all Red Hatters, no matter their role. It’s what makes us who we are.

Some of the most knowledgeable and passionate people in the technology industry work here. Whether we’re building software, championing our products, or training new associates, we’re collaborating openly to make a difference in the world of open source and beyond.