GitLab Solution Architect

Job role: GitLab Solution Architect

Location: Auburn Hills, MI (Onsite)

Duration: 6 months

Job Overview:
We are seeking a GitLab Solutions Architect to lead the implementation and deployment of GitLab as a new platform for client organization. This individual will be responsible for standing up a fresh GitLab instance, ensuring it is fully configured, integrated, and optimized for development, DevOps, and operations teams. As a subject matter expert (SME) in GitLab, you will play a crucial role in driving the adoption of GitLab across the organization and implementing best practices for DevOps, CI/CD, version control, security, and collaboration. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in GitLab deployments, extensive hands-on experience in the DevOps lifecycle, and a deep understanding of GitLab s features and capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the full implementation of GitLab, ensuring successful setup of both self-hosted and cloud environments based on organizational requirements.
• Design, configure, and deploy GitLab instances, considering scalability, high availability, and disaster recovery strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to tailor GitLab's architecture to meet the needs of development, DevOps, and IT operations teams.
• Define the GitLab installation process, from server setup to GitLab instance configuration and user provisioning.
• Implement and configure core GitLab features such as source control management (SCM), merge requests, CI/CD pipelines, issue tracking, and project management workflows.
• Configure and integrate GitLab with existing tools and systems in the organization, such as Jira, Jenkins, Kubernetes, Terraform, and other relevant DevOps tools.
• Customize GitLab s settings, including permissions, authentication, role-based access control (RBAC), and security policies.
• Define and implement automated CI/CD pipelines using GitLab CI/CD features, ensuring optimized workflows for building, testing, and deploying software.
• Integrate GitLab with containerization tools like Docker and Kubernetes for seamless application delivery and deployment to various environments.
• Design and implement workflows for continuous integration, delivery, and deployment that align with best DevOps practices.
• Configure GitLab s built-in security features, such as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), and Container Scanning.
• Ensure that GitLab instances adhere to security standards and compliance frameworks relevant to the organization s industry.
• Implement necessary controls for sensitive data protection, vulnerability scanning, and secure code practices.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to development, DevOps, and infrastructure teams on GitLab best practices, workflows, and features.
• Develop and deliver training sessions and documentation to empower teams in the effective use of Gitlab for collaboration, version control, CI/CD, and deployment automation
• Assist in the adoption of Gitlab within the organization, ensuring that stakeholders understand its capabilities and value proposition

• Set up monitoring and alerting within GitLab for application performance, system health, and infrastructure metrics.
• Optimize GitLab instances to ensure efficient performance, scalability, and minimal downtime.
• Ensure regular system backups, updates, and patch management for GitLab instances to maintain optimal security and stability.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders, including development, operations, and security teams, to understand requirements and ensure GitLab is meeting organizational needs.
• Communicate progress, challenges, and solutions to leadership and other departments during the implementation process.

Qualifications Required:

• Expertise: Proven experience in standing up GitLab in a new environment, including both self-hosted (Omnibus) and cloud-hosted solutions.
• Experience: 5 years of experience in DevOps, IT infrastructure, or software development with a strong focus on GitLab implementations.
• Technical Knowledge:
• Deep understanding of GitLab features (SCM, CI/CD, GitLab Runners, Merge Requests, Issue Boards, etc.).
• Expertise in configuring GitLab CI/CD pipelines, containerization with Docker, and orchestration with Kubernetes.
• Familiarity with GitLab's security features and best practices for vulnerability scanning, SAST, DAST, etc.
• DevOps Experience: Hands-on experience with DevOps tools such as Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, Terraform, Helm, and cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Azure).
• Automation and Infrastructure: Experience in automating infrastructure with tools like Ansible, Terraform, or similar.
• Communication: Strong communication skills and the ability to present complex technical concepts to a non-technical audience.

Preferred:

• Certifications: GitLab Certified Associate, Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, or similar certifications.
• Experience with large-scale deployments: Experience in deploying GitLab in large-scale enterprise environments.
• Cloud Expertise: Experience with deploying and managing GitLab in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform).
• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile practices, including Scrum or Kanban, and integration with GitLab for tracking and managing sprints and tasks.