KoboToolbox has an immediate opening for a Lead Infrastructure Engineer to fill a full-time position of approximately 35-40 hours per week, for a commitment of at least 1 year.
Kobo's mission is to empower individuals and organizations to make informed decisions that drive positive change around the world. To do that successfully, we need a team with all kinds of different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds shaping our work. We are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone—regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, age, or background—feels valued and empowered to thrive.
We know that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap are real, and we don't want them to hold anyone back. If you're excited about this role but don't check every single box, we still encourage you to apply. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
As a member of our team, you will share in the challenge and excitement of maintaining infrastructure used by over 15,000 nonprofit organizations around the world to collect more than 20 million surveys per month. Please be prepared to discuss your professional history of working on systems that support substantial volumes of traffic and data when applying.
Beyond technical acumen, we are seeking a team member who demonstrates curiosity, initiative, and a cooperative approach to problem solving and decision-making.
If you're passionate about leveraging technology to make a positive impact, we want to hear from you!
Responsibilities Lead a small but growing team of infrastructure engineers (currently 1.5 FTEs besides yourself), providing direction and mentorship, with opportunities to expand the team as the organization growsManage team schedules to maximize round-the-clock coverage, and implement an on-call rotationDevelop metrics and thresholds for acceptable, marginal, and unacceptable infrastructure performance. Document both anticipatory and reactive plans to keep all services running at the acceptable levelProactively oversee large, public instances of KoboToolbox to maximize availability and performance, reduce manual labor, and control costsSupervise hosting operations for numerous smaller instances of KoboToolbox, maintaining and streamlining existing infrastructure-as-code processesConsult with self-hosting clients, guiding them through best practices and assisting them with maintenance of their own infrastructureServe as a skilled practitioner of Linux systems administration, Docker containerization, and Kubernetes orchestrationDocument configuration and processes, including recurring tasks and how to assign themWork closely with the software development team to ensure smooth deployments and good performance in production, e.g. schema migrations for multi-terabyte PostgreSQL databasesAssist with maintenance and improvement of development infrastructure, such as CI pipelines and automated staging deploymentsAct as the focal point for external auditors to ensure compliance with applicable standards such as ISO 27001Attend regular videoconference check-ins with other members of the technical teamCommunicate with the public in conjunction with our support staff or directly through forums, issue trackers, etcRequirements Required Qualifications At least 3 years of experience in infrastructure engineering, systems administration, or a related fieldSuccessful history of leading a technical team while continuing to engage with hands-on technical workThorough grasp of the technologies underlying web applications, including networking, hardware, virtualization, operating systems, and databasesExcellent verbal and written English communication skills. Friendly and effective written communication is crucial given that we are a fully remote organizationMastery of Debian-based Linux as a server operating systemExperience with Terraform (or OpenTofu), Helm, Kubernetes, and Docker in a production settingAbility to write reusable scripts in Python and BashExtensive knowledge of basic AWS services like EC2 and S3; working familiarity with others such as EKS, RDS (PostgreSQL), DocumentDB, ElasticCache, Route 53, and SESWorking familiarity with Azure and Google CloudInterest in data collection (surveying), particularly in humanitarian emergencies and other challenging contexts, and a desire to improve our platform for our usersWorking hours in the Eastern time zoneAverage availability of at least 30 hours per week, preferably 35 hours or morePreferred Skills Strong grasp of cloud infrastructure security best practicesExperience administering large PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and Redis databasesGood understanding of GitHub Actions and GitLab CI/CDFamiliarity with XLSForm, ODK XForm, and OpenRosaPast work in a non-profit or mission-driven organizationExperience with web application development in Python/Django, React, and (separately) Node.jsBenefits General Benefits:
Genuine Impact: Contribute directly to projects that affect millions globally, working with international humanitarian organizations and community-based partners in 200 countriesMeaningful Work Environment: Join a team that tackles global challenges through innovative data collection tools that create lasting changeDiverse Team: Be part of a globally diverse, inclusive team that values equity and inclusion across all spectrumsFlexible Work Culture: Enjoy mutual flexibility, with a culture prioritizing work-life balanceProfessional Development: Access generous professional development opportunitiesEmployee Benefits (U.S. candidates only):
Health & Wellness: 5 medical insurance options, dental, and vision (up to 80% premium covered), plus life insuranceFinancial Security: 401(k) retirement plan with 100% match up to 2%Work-Life Balance: 20 days paid time off, 10 floating holidays, unlimited sick days, and paid parental leaveSeniority levelDirectorEmployment typeContractJob functionIndustriesReferrals increase your chances of interviewing at KoboToolbox by 2x
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