DevOps Engineer

The Bibliotheksservice-Zentrum Baden-Württemberg (BSZ) is a leading institution dedicated to providing IT-supported services for scientific libraries, museums, and archives primarily in Baden-Württemberg, Saxony, and the Saarland. As a vital part of the cultural and academic infrastructure, BSZ focuses on advancing digital library services, enhancing data management, and supporting research and education through innovative technological solutions. The organization prides itself on fostering collaboration across institutions, promoting open data initiatives, and ensuring the sustainable development of digital library ecosystems. With a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, BSZ aims to empower cultural and scientific institutions with cutting-edge tools and services that meet the evolving demands of digital scholarship and information dissemination.

About The Role

We are seeking a skilled DevOps Engineer with expertise in Kubernetes, Linux, and SolrCloud to join our team at BSZ. In this role, you will be instrumental in building and maintaining a robust Discovery-Index for our digital library systems, specifically the K10plus-Zentral project. Your primary responsibility will be to develop, operate, and optimize a high-availability search and data platform based on Apache SolrCloud, Kubernetes, and PostgreSQL, managing multi-terabyte data volumes. You will work closely with our cooperation partner GBV to ensure seamless platform operation, continuous development, and enhancement of bibliographic indexing and data management processes, including MARC21 and SolrMarc. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the digital transformation of library services, leveraging your technical expertise to support the infrastructure that underpins scholarly research and cultural heritage preservation.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess a university degree in computer science or a comparable academic background. You should have several years of experience operating Linux-based production environments, demonstrating a strong understanding of container orchestration with Kubernetes. Proficiency in Apache Solr, Elasticsearch, or similar search technologies is essential, along with solid Java programming skills and experience with build and deployment processes. Knowledge of bibliographic data formats, particularly MARC21, is advantageous. Additionally, you should have excellent problem-solving skills, a structured work approach, and the ability to collaborate effectively within cross-institutional teams. Fluency in German at least at B2 level is required to communicate effectively within the organization and with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the setup and administration of a BareMetal Kubernetes cluster to ensure a scalable and resilient infrastructure.
• Manage the deployment, operation, and continuous improvement of an Apache SolrCloud-based search platform.
• Enhance and develop indexation processes based on SolrMarc, optimizing bibliographic data workflows.
• Develop and adapt Java-based components and indexing logic to meet evolving requirements.
• Integrate and oversee relational database systems that handle bibliographic metadata, ensuring data integrity and performance.
• Monitor system performance, perform capacity planning, and implement performance tuning strategies.
• Design and implement backup, recovery, and operational procedures to guarantee system reliability and data safety.

At BSZ, we offer a stimulating work environment situated in the scenic surroundings of Lake Constance, combining professional growth with a high quality of life. Our employees enjoy flexible working hours, promoting a healthy work-life balance, along with various sports and wellness programs as part of our corporate health management. We provide a JobTicket for convenient transportation, support remote work options, and invest in continuous professional development through targeted training and educational opportunities. The position is classified according to the collective agreement of the TV-L, with the potential for remuneration up to pay group E13 depending on qualifications and experience. We also ensure a comprehensive onboarding process to facilitate your integration into our team and organizational culture.

Equal Opportunity

BSZ is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, age, nationality, disability, or other characteristics protected by law. Our hiring practices are based solely on merit and qualifications, and we strive to create a work environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best. We believe that diversity enhances innovation and drives excellence in our services and organizational culture.