A

Systems Engineer

Alkemy X
Full-time
On-site
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

About Alkemy X


Alkemy X is a global, award-winning creative partner for the biggest names in film, television, agencies and brands. Since 1981, Alkemy X has been a leader in a continuously evolving industry, entrusted with billions of dollars in budgets, with a proven track record of exceeding expectations with precision, innovation and excellence. The international Alkemy X team has earned countless honors and awards for its work in visual effects, production, editorial, design and creative development, while constantly looking toward the future of creativity. To learn more about our work, visit our website at alkemy-x.com.





Job Summary




We are looking for an experienced Kubernetes & Systems Administrator to oversee and optimize our Linux-based infrastructure and Kubernetes environments. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in container orchestration, system automation, and CI/CD pipelines. Experience with VFX applications such as Deadline, Nuke, and Houdini is highly preferred. While this role offers the possibility of being fully remote, we prioritize candidates based in the Philadelphia area.




Qualifications



  • Kubernetes Management:

    • Deploy, manage, and scale Kubernetes clusters to support production workloads.

    • Develop and maintain Helm charts for application deployment.

    • Implement GitOps practices using tools like Argo CD for continuous deployment.



  • Infrastructure Administration:

    • Maintain and optimize Linux servers (Rocky Linux, Ubuntu, CentOS).

    • Manage virtualization platforms such as VMware ESXi and Proxmox.

    • Ensure high availability and performance of virtual servers and containerized applications.



  • Automation and CI/CD:

    • Create and maintain automation scripts using Ansible, Python, and Bash.

    • Develop and manage GitLab CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment.

    • Employ infrastructure-as-code methodologies to streamline operations.



  • VFX Application Support:

    • Provide technical support for VFX software including Deadline, Nuke, and Houdini.

    • Collaborate with artists and production teams to optimize software performance and workflows.

    • Troubleshoot application issues and implement effective solutions.



  • Security and Compliance:

    • Ensure systems comply with Trusted Partner Network (TPN) security standards.

    • Implement security best practices across all infrastructure components.

    • Conduct regular audits and assessments to maintain compliance.



  • Network Administration:

    • Configure and manage network interfaces, VLANs, and switches.

    • Troubleshoot network connectivity issues and optimize network performance.

    • Manage VPN configurations and ensure secure remote access.



  • Support and Troubleshooting:

    • Provide tier support for infrastructure and application issues.

    • Diagnose and resolve system outages and errors.

    • Perform root cause analysis to prevent future incidents.







Qualifications 



  • Experience:

    • 3+ years of experience in systems administration, DevOps, or related fields.

    • Experience with Kubernetes, Helm, and container orchestration.

    • Proven experience in managing Linux-based infrastructures.



  • Technical Skills:

    • Proficient in scripting languages: Python, Bash.

    • Experience with GitLab CI/CD pipelines.

    • Familiarity with Argo CD and GitOps workflows.

    • Strong understanding of virtualization technologies (VMware ESXi).



  • VFX Industry Knowledge:

    • Experience supporting VFX applications like Deadline, Nuke, and Houdini.

    • Understanding of VFX production pipelines and workflows.



  • Networking:

    • Solid knowledge of network configuration, VLANs, and VPNs.

    • Ability to troubleshoot complex network issues.



  • Security:

    • Knowledge of TPN compliance requirements.

    • Experience implementing security best practices.






Important Details


This is a full-time role will require a part-time on-site presence at the Philadelphia office. Alkemy X has not instituted a mandatory return to office policy and does not have plans to do so in the foreseeable future. The majority of Alkemy X staff work remotely, but utilize the office spaces for meetings, client sessions, and scheduled on-site work days and gatherings. All remote positions require the candidate to have a reliable internet connection via ethernet and work on EST.




Work Environment


All employees are required to comply with our health and safety policy and follow office guidelines. Candidates for this role must also be able to successfully pass a background check.




This position involves sitting, moving about a workspace, and regularly using computer technology. Employee may frequently use one or two hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls, and may repeat the same movements throughout the course of the day. Employee will view details of objects that are less than a few feet away, and see differences between colors, shades, and brightness.






Benefits




Eligible Alkemy X staff receive paid time off, paid holidays, a comprehensive benefits package, 401K with a company match, employer-paid life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, mental health benefits, nutrition counseling services, EAP access, monthly phone and internet stipend, in-office perks when working from our office locations, and more. 






Alkemy X is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits unlawful discrimination against all employees, contractors, interns, and applicants on the basis of any individual's membership in any Protected Class. It is the policy of Alkemy X to maintain a working environment that encourages mutual respect, promotes respectful and congenial relationships among employees, independent contractors, and clients, and prohibits all forms of unlawful discrimination, including sexual harassment of any employee, contractor, intern, or applicant for employment.




Our organization participates in E-Verify, and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS.