Senior Kafka Administrators (x2)

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Kforce has a client that is seeking a Senior Kafka Administrator to work in Greenwood Village, CO or Saint Louis, MO for an onsite, contract role.

Overview:
We are seeking two Senior Kafka Platform Engineers on behalf of our client for a high-impact, onsite contract engagement. This role will support a large-scale, enterprise Kafka environment that is undergoing modernization, performance optimization, and infrastructure upgrades.
This is a hands-on position ideal for someone who has owned and operated Kafka in a complex enterprise setting and is comfortable working across Linux systems, bare metal infrastructure, and cloud-managed Kafka services.

Key Responsibilities:
* Serve as a senior technical lead for Kafka platform operations and stability
* Administer, maintain, and optimize enterprise Kafka clusters
* Perform performance tuning, capacity planning, and scaling initiatives
* Support infrastructure modernization efforts, including potential cloud migrations
* Maintain and support Kafka environments running on bare metal infrastructure
* Contribute to automation efforts using configuration management tools
* Perform Linux system administration tasks (patching, upgrades, troubleshooting)
* Collaborate with engineering and infrastructure teams to ensure high availability and reliability

REQUIREMENTS:
* 5+ years of hands-on Kafka administration in an enterprise environment
* Proven experience owning and supporting production Kafka clusters
* Strong Linux systems administration experience
* Experience with performance tuning and scaling Kafka at high data volumes
* Experience supporting Kafka on bare metal infrastructure
* Familiarity with Amazon MSK or other managed Kafka services
* Ability to work independently in a senior-level capacity

Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience with Amazon MSK migrations
* Experience with Ansible or other automation tools
* Python scripting experience
* Exposure to infrastructure modernization initiatives

Ideal Candidate Profile:
* Has been -the Kafka expert- on their team
* Comfortable operating in environments without heavy operational support
* Proactive, self-sufficient, and technically deep
* Direct communicator who collaborates effectively onsite

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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