Cloud Solutions Architect

Freelance Opportunity: Build Cloud-Based Labs for Internal Developer Platforms

About Platform Engineering

Platform Engineering is the leading global community for platform engineering, driving innovation in how teams build and scale internal developer platforms. As the organization behind PlatformCon, the world’s largest platform engineering event, we connect professionals across the globe. Platform Engineering is the central hub for knowledge sharing and collaboration in a rapidly growing and transformative industry.

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about platform engineering and eager to experiment with different approaches to building Internal Developer Platforms (IDPs)? Do you have hands-on experience with cloud-based environments, Kubernetes, CI/CD, and infrastructure orchestration? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

We’re seeking a Freelance Cloud Solutions Architect to develop cutting-edge cloud-based lab environments for our Platform Engineering Course. These labs will give students hands-on exposure to different IDP architectures, from open-source pipeline-based setups to proprietary graph-based solutions.

Project Overview

We’re creating a cutting-edge learning experience by designing cloud-based lab environments that explore multiple ways to build an Internal Developer Platform (IDP). These labs will provide students with practical, hands-on exposure to the technologies and workflows behind modern platform engineering. Scope and Deliverables can be found here; https://humanitec.notion.site/Scope-Deliverables-192000565fc680a1959dd6d4c6599320

What You’ll Do

• Design and deploy cloud-based development environments using Coder, ensuring seamless GitHub authentication and a fully isolated Kubernetes cluster per student.

• Build practical, real-world scenarios showcasing multiple IDP approaches, including open-source pipeline-based solutions (ArgoCD, Crossplane, Backstage) and proprietary graph-based platforms (Humanitec).

• Guarantee that each lab environment is isolated, browser-accessible, and available for at least 12 weeks per cohort.

• Create step-by-step guides and repositories that empower students to explore and recreate different IDP configurations.

• Work closely with our team to refine and optimize the labs based on student feedback and course objectives.

What You’ll Bring

• Expertise in DevOps & Platform Engineering: Strong knowledge of Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines (ArgoCD or similar), Infrastructure as Code (Crossplane, Terraform, OpenTofu), and modern DevOps tooling.

• Experience with Cloud-Based Environments: Familiarity with remote IDEs like Coder or GitPod and multi-tenant cloud setups.

• Scripting & Automation Skills: Proficiency in Bash, Python, or similar languages to automate environment setup and deployment.

• Strong Documentation Abilities: Ability to create clear, engaging, and student-friendly instructions and learning materials.

• Passion for Experimentation & Learning: Excitement to explore, compare, and help students understand different IDP models—open source, proprietary, pipeline-based, and graph-based.

Engagement & Compensation

• Freelance/Contract Role with competitive rates.

• Potential for ongoing collaboration if additional IDP scenarios or course expansions are needed.

How to Apply

Please attach your CV along with a document detailing the below with your application:

1. A brief introduction to your background and relevant experiences.

2. Links to similar projects, repos, or case studies.

3. A high-level plan outlining your approach and estimated timeline for this project.

4. Your estimated cost or hourly rate, along with a rough time estimate.