Kubernetes Platform Architect

The vKS Application Engineering team enables enterprise success with vSphere Kubernetes Service (vKS) as part of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), aiming to accelerate its adoption as the enterprise-grade Kubernetes platform for modern private cloud applications. This customer-facing role involves designing and validating solutions, running proof-of-concepts, and guiding enterprises through their modernization journey with vKS on VCF.

Must Have

• Guide enterprise customers in vKS solution design, validation, and deployment on VCF.
• Collaborate with field account teams to align solution architecture with customer priorities.
• Lead technical discovery sessions, workshops, and proof-of-concepts for vKS architectures.
• Partner with sales to develop customer proposals for modernization goals.
• Provide prescriptive guidance on Kubernetes adoption, DevOps/CI-CD, scalability, security, and disaster recovery.
• Build and share reference architectures and technical assets for vKS adoption.
• Deliver compelling technical presentations to diverse audiences.
• Stay current on industry trends, competitor offerings, and enterprise requirements.
• Provide field feedback to product management and engineering to influence roadmap.
• Experience in application engineering or technical sales for enterprise IT, cloud, or application platforms.
• Strong expertise in Kubernetes, containers, and VMware Cloud Foundation (vSphere, vSAN, NSX).
• 8+ years in technology roles with depth in enterprise IT architecture, application modernization, or cloud-native platforms.
• Demonstrated success working directly with enterprise customers to deliver technical solutions.
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills.
• Strong collaboration skills with sales teams.
• Proven ability to identify challenges, design solutions, and articulate business value.
• Enthusiastic self-starter, curious, driven, and thrives in dynamic environments.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• Deep knowledge of VMware Cloud Foundation and Kubernetes platforms.

Good to Have

• Certifications in cloud-native or public cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP, Red Hat OpenShift).

The vKS Application Engineering team is responsible for enabling enterprise success with vSphere Kubernetes Service (vKS) as part of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF). Our mission is to accelerate adoption of vKS as the enterprise-grade Kubernetes platform for modern applications in private cloud.

As a vKS Application Engineer, you will be on the front lines with enterprise customers, driving the successful adoption of vSphere Kubernetes Service (vKS) on VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF). This is a hands-on, customer-facing role focused on designing and validating solutions, running proof-of-concepts, and guiding customers through their modernization journey.

Key Accountabilities

• Act as a trusted advisor for enterprise customers, guiding them through the design, validation, and deployment of vKS solutions on VCF.
• Collaborate closely with field account teams to align solution architecture with customer priorities and drive successful engagement outcomes.
• Lead technical discovery sessions, workshops, and proof-of-concepts to validate vKS architectures and demonstrate business value.
• Partner with sales to jointly develop customer proposals that address modernization goals, workload placement, and operational transformation.
• Provide prescriptive guidance on Kubernetes adoption, DevOps/CI-CD integration, and enterprise requirements such as scalability, security, and disaster recovery.
• Build and share reference architectures, deployment patterns, and technical assets to accelerate customer adoption of vKS.
• Deliver clear, compelling technical presentations to diverse audiences, from architects to executive decision makers.
• Stay current on industry trends, competitor offerings, and evolving enterprise requirements to position vKS effectively.
• Collaborate with product management and engineering to provide field feedback that influences roadmap direction.

Required Skills & Experience

• Experience in application engineering or technical sales for enterprise IT, cloud, or application platforms.
• Strong expertise in Kubernetes, containers, and VMware Cloud Foundation (vSphere, vSAN, NSX as foundation).
• 8+ years in technology-related roles, with depth in enterprise IT architecture, application modernization, or cloud-native platforms.
• Demonstrated success working directly with enterprise customers to deliver technical solutions and drive platform adoption.
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills with the ability to engage both technical and business leaders.
• Strong collaboration skills, able to work hand-in-hand with sales teams to advance customer opportunities.
• Proven ability to identify challenges, design solutions, and articulate value in business terms.
• Enthusiastic self-starter with curiosity, drive, and the ability to thrive in dynamic environments.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• Deep knowledge of VMware Cloud Foundation and Kubernetes platforms.
• Certifications in cloud-native or public cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP, Red Hat OpenShift, etc.) are highly desirable.