Senior AI-Enabled Platform / SRE Engineer

Job Title: Senior AI-Enabled Platform / SRE Engineer.Location: Dallas, TX or Scottsdale, AZ (Hybrid).Employment Type: Contract (W2 through ZipStaff).About the Opportunity:ZipStaff is seeking a Senior Kubernetes-focused SRE with strong cloud automation and software engineering skills to support a major healthcare organization.This hybrid role (Dallas, TX or Scottsdale, AZ) focuses on platform reliability at scale and using AI/LLMs to automate operations. The initial assignment is approximately one year, with potential extension.What You’ll Do:Build automation and operational tools using Java, Python, and Node.js to improve efficiency, scalability, and platform operations.Leverage Generative AI (Gemini, Llama, Mistral, Qwen, etc.) to automate alert analysis, incident response, operational workflows, and runbook execution.Implement API and microservices reliability solutions using Apigee / Apigee X, REST APIs, GraphQL gateways, traffic routing, canary deployments, and failover strategies.Manage Kubernetes platforms across GKE and Rancher RKE2, including cluster administration, performance tuning, and troubleshooting.Support active-active deployments, disaster-recovery readiness, and multi-datacenter Kubernetes environments.Develop observability and monitoring using Splunk, Grafana, Datadog, and AppDynamics.Drive SRE best practices by partnering with cross-functional teams on reliability, security, incident management, and continuous improvement.Required Qualifications:5+ years of strong hands-on Kubernetes platform experience with GKE and Rancher RKE2, including multi-cluster management, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.5+ years of advanced programming in Python and Java (Node.js preferred for integrations and automation).Strong SRE background: reliability, availability, incident management, SLO/SLI monitoring, and operational excellence.Strong experience in GCP, Terraform, Helm, GitHub, CI/CD, and production-grade automation.Hands-on observability experience with Splunk, Grafana, Datadog, and/or AppDynamics.Experience with API and microservices reliability (Apigee / Apigee X, REST, GraphQL, traffic routing, canary, failover).Experience applying LLMs (Gemini, Llama, Mistral, Qwen, or similar) to alert analysis, incident triage, automation, or operational workflows.Ability to work hybrid in Dallas, TX or Scottsdale, AZ.Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.Preferred Qualifications:Experience supporting highly available, multi-datacenter production platforms.Prior healthcare or regulated-enterprise SRE experience.Demonstrated AIOps / GenAI-for-operations implementations in production.About ZipStaff:ZipStaff partners with leading organizations to connect skilled technology professionals with high-impact contract opportunities. We focus on quality matches and long-term success.To apply, please submit your resume highlighting your GKE / RKE2, Python/Java automation, observability, and any AI-driven operations work.