Hire the Best OpenStack Developers

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Bobby V.

New Addington, United Kingdom

$60/hr
5.0
57 jobs

I design fit-for-purpose infrastructure that holds up under pressure without torching the budget. I build and run multivendor production environments where systems must behave predictably through load, change, and failure. I own systems end-to-end: architecture, deployment, operations, and incident response. I kill manual toil with IaC and repeatable workflows, eradicate configuration drift, convert tribal knowledge into clean diagrams, runbooks, and a single source of truth. Security is built into the design through segmentation, least-privilege access, and automated controls, with systems documented and monitored to support audits, security incidents, and ongoing operations. I’ve seen the carnage of failed changes, vague handovers, audit nightmares, and undocumented systems that bleed operational risk daily. That’s why I build lean, observable, boringly stable platforms that scale without drama and cost less to run long-term. Experienced across enterprise, data center, and cloud environments, with industry exposure spanning telecoms, vendor support, MSP operations, financial services, low-latency trading, and large-scale service providers. 💻TECH SKILLS🥷 🌐Networking: WAN, LAN, WLAN(Meraki, UniFi), VLANs, VXLANs, IPv6, NAT, RIP, OSPF, BGP, VRF, ACLs, QoS, VPNs, DHCP, DNS, NFV 📦Virtualization: VMware, OpenStack, Hyper-V, KVM, Proxmox, Docker, SR-IOV, SAN ☁️Cloud: AWS(EC2, VPC, Flow Logs, S3, IAM, CloudWatch, WorkSpaces, WAFR), Azure(VMs, AD, Networking), Google Workspace, Office 365 ⚙️OS: Cisco IOS, Cisco NX-OS, Dell OS10, Arista EOS, Windows Server(PowerShell, AD, Group Policy, Exchange), Linux(Bash, IPtables, Permissions, Nginx), macOS 🔐Security: Firewalls(Palo Alto, FortiGate, SonicWall), CASB(Netskope), SIEM(Rapid7), MDM(MaaS360), IAM(Okta, Centrify, CyberArk), Email(Mimecast) 🤖Automation: Python(Jinja2), APIs(RESTful, NETCONF, RESTCONF), XML, JSON, YAML, YANG, Terraform, Ansible, GitHub 🛠️Tools: Wireshark, Nmap, iPerf, Cisco CIMC, Dell iDRAC, Dell OpenManage, Veeam, OpenVAS, GitHub, Postman, ManageEngine, PRTG, Zabbix, Observium, Graylog, Passbolt, NetBox, Visio, Itemit

  • OpenStack
  • Network Engineering
  • Network Design
  • Network Security
  • Firewall
  • Python
  • Windows Administration
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Azure
  • Cisco Certified Network Professional
  • Automation
  • DNS
  • DevOps
  • VMWare
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Web Application Firewall
  • API
  • Infrastructure Management
  • Ansible
  • Terraform
Thien T.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

$25/hr
5.0
10 jobs

I bring 10 years of experience in cloud infrastructure and backend development, primarily using AWS and OpenStack. I'm highly proficient in DevOps technologies such as Docker, MAAS, JUJU, Kubernetes, Jenkins, GitLab, and more. In the past 4 years, I’ve worked extensively in the blockchain industry, including 3 years managing validator nodes across multiple networks—focusing on performance, uptime, and security. I also have solid experience building blockchain applications with Rust, particularly in ecosystems like Substrate and Solana, giving me a deep understanding of low-level blockchain development.

  • Laravel
  • Phalcon
  • Linux System Administration
  • DevOps
  • Docker
Christian Ivann C.

Pasay, Philippines

$3/hr
5.0
3 jobs

I'm a DevOps Engineer, full-stack developer, and cybersecurity analyst with over 6 years of hands-on experience building, securing, and operating production systems end-to-end. I work across the full lifecycle , from infrastructure provisioning and CI/CD pipelines to backend services, frontend interfaces, and security audits so a single engagement can cover what would otherwise need three specialists. My core stack spans three domains: DevOps & Cloud Infrastructure - Infrastructure as Code with Terraform and Ansible; CI/CD pipeline engineering on GitLab CI (also Azure DevOps); secrets management and PKI with HashiCorp Vault; full LGTM observability stack (Grafana, Loki, Tempo, Mimir, Prometheus) with OpenTelemetry instrumentation; container deployment with Docker and Podman; hybrid cloud + on-prem operations across Proxmox and Azure; zone-segmented networking with deny-by-default firewall, WireGuard, Tailscale, and Cloudflare edge. Full-Stack Development - React, Next.js, TypeScript, Node.js, Python, and C++; modern UI work with Tailwind, GSAP, and Radix/shadcn; REST and GraphQL APIs; databases including PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MongoDB, MySQL, and Redis. Cybersecurity - penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and security audits using Kali Linux, Metasploit, and Burp Suite. Security-first mindset applied across every layer of the work — from VLAN design to application code. What sets me apart is the range: I can take an idea from architecture and Terraform modules through to a hardened, monitored, deployable production system — without handing off to a different specialist at each layer. Available for: - DevOps & SRE engagements - Infrastructure as Code, CI/CD pipeline design, observability rollouts, secrets/PKI implementation - Cloud migration and hybrid cloud architecture (Azure + on-prem, container platforms) - Full-stack web application development (React / Next.js + Node.js / TypeScript) - Cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing - Database design, optimization, and management - System administration and IT support - Mobile application development - AI/ML integration projects

  • Tech & IT
  • Full-Stack Development
  • React Native
  • Node.js
  • TypeScript
  • AWS OpsWorks
  • Cybersecurity Monitoring
  • Python
  • PostgreSQL
  • Docker
  • Linux System Administration
  • API Development
  • DevOps Engineering
Reem B.

Tallinn, Estonia

$44/hr
4.8
67 jobs

I have more than 15 years of working experience as a Linux admin. Installing updating testing new Confluence plugins using Apache JMeter and Jenkins !! Tuning and upgrading the Environment, Apache tomcat, Oracle JDBC, Monitoring the JVM. USING Grafana and Influx DB. checking for Java threads problems !! check CPU and Memory usage and Apache tomcat ORACLE errors. Installing configuring Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP .postfix Nagios,Zabbix.MySql . troubleshooting . and log monitoring and docker. I studied both cyber security and digital forensics coursed. So I have practical experience on the following . Security: Ethical Hacking & Countermeasures, Managing Secure Network Systems,Linux Networking, and Security, Conducting Penetration and Security Tests, Securing Wireless Networks, Investigating Network Intrusions and Computer Forensics. Malware analysis. Reverse Engineering. Principles of Secure Software Design.Hadoop. networking Tools: Wireshark.

  • Zabbix
  • FTP
  • Linux System Administration
  • Atlassian Confluence
  • Network Security
  • Network Analysis
  • Network Monitoring
  • MySQL
  • LAMP Administration
  • Cybersecurity Monitoring
  • Odoo Administration
  • Web Application Firewall
Doston N.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

$30/hr
5.0
2 jobs

5+ years administering Linux servers, Kubernetes clusters, and network security in a government cybersecurity environment — where downtime and vulnerabilities aren't an option. I recover broken production systems fast and build hardened infrastructure that stays up. What I do: - Production incident response and recovery — diagnosing failures under pressure and getting systems back online (server recovery, database issues, crashed containers, storage problems) - Linux server administration and hardening — SSH hardening, firewall configuration, CVE remediation, security incident response - Container orchestration — Kubernetes (RKE2), Docker, Docker Compose across dev and production clusters - Infrastructure & monitoring — Proxmox VE, Grafana, Prometheus, DNS management - Databases & services — PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, Kafka, ClickHouse Recent work I'm proud of: - Recovered a full production stack after a server restart caused disk devices to swap — traced the root cause through cascading database and container failures to the storage layer, and restored everything with zero data loss - Investigated and remediated a compromised production website — confirmed active CVE exploitation through log analysis, closed the entry point and secondary vulnerabilities, deployed a WAF - Built and deployed a full-stack internal web application (Next.js, PostgreSQL, Docker) serving 200+ users I communicate clearly and consistently — you'll always know the status of your systems. Whether you need an urgent recovery, a hardened server built from scratch, or ongoing infrastructure support, I bring the depth to solve problems properly, not just patch symptoms. Let's talk about what you need.

  • Network Security
  • DevOps
  • Linux
  • Web Server
  • VPN
  • FortiGate Firewall
  • Bash
  • Grafana
  • Prometheus
  • Proxmox VE
  • SSL Certificate
  • DNS
  • Docker
  • Docker Compose
  • Kubernetes
Mouhib C.

Tunis, Tunisia

$50/hr
5.0
7 jobs

Self-driven DevOps engineer who builds and runs infrastructure that works when it matters. I've spent years working with Kubernetes, OpenShift, and Linux systems in production environments where downtime isn't an option (Banking Sector). I handle the full stack: cluster setup and operations Day0-2, infrastructure automation with Terraform and Ansible, CI/CD pipelines, and production troubleshooting when things break. I work across AWS, Azure, and on-prem environments, and I'm comfortable with both greenfield builds and fixing what's already there. My background includes networking, security hardening, and Linux administration. I've architected and deployed Red Hat platforms like Ansible Automation Platform and Red Hat Satellite. I manage SSL/TLS certificates, configure load balancing, and handle DNS. I've also deployed self-hosted AI infrastructure including vector databases and RAG pipelines on Kubernetes. I write tools in Golang when the situation calls for it. I use monitoring and observability tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and Loki to catch issues before they become incidents. I've built multi-tenant Kubernetes architectures with proper isolation, configured zero-trust networking with Wireguard, and integrated security scanning into CI/CD pipelines. I hold certifications from Red Hat, AWS, and the Linux Foundation, but what matters more is that I can diagnose problems quickly, communicate clearly, and stay engaged through tough situations. If you are looking for someone who can own infrastructure end-to-end and keep systems stable, let's talk.

  • Docker
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Ansible
  • CI/CD
  • Kubernetes
  • Terraform
  • Containerization
  • DevOps
  • OpenShift
  • Golang
  • Red Hat
  • NGINX
  • Database
  • GitLab
  • Security Infrastructure

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Don't just take our word for it

What does an OpenStack developer do?

An OpenStack developer writes and maintains code for the open source cloud computing platform. This role focuses on building features, fixing bugs, and improving the reliability of core services like Compute, Networking, and Storage. You contribute directly to upstream projects through a structured review process rather than maintaining private forks. Your work ensures that cloud infrastructure scales securely and operates without interruption for enterprise users.

  • Submit code changes and documentation updates to Gerrit using git-review for peer evaluation. You iterate on patchsets by addressing feedback from core reviewers and ensuring your commits meet project governance standards before merging.
  • Validate software modifications with automated testing frameworks such as tox and Tempest. You run integration test suites to confirm that new features do not break existing functionality or introduce regressions in the continuous integration pipeline.
  • Implement specific features or resolve defects within individual OpenStack service repositories. You write clean, maintainable Python code that adheres to style guidelines and interacts correctly with other components through defined APIs and client libraries.

How to hire an OpenStack developer on Upwork

Step 1: Post a job

Define your cloud infrastructure needs by listing specific OpenStack components and upstream contribution requirements. Use the Job Post Generator powered by Uma™, Upwork's Mindful AI to draft a precise description from a few sentences about your project. You can write a new post, update a saved draft, or reuse an existing post to start hiring.

  • Specify which OpenStack services need development, such as Nova for compute or Neutron for networking, to attract specialists with relevant codebase experience.
  • List required tools like Gerrit for code review and tox for validation so candidates know they must follow upstream contribution workflows.
  • Clarify if the role involves writing new features, fixing bugs, or updating documentation within OpenStack repositories to set clear expectations.

Step 2: Evaluate candidates

Look for portfolios that show merged patchsets in OpenStack projects and familiarity with CI gating workflows. Uma can run instant video interviews and build shortlists with side-by-side comparisons to help you identify developers who understand cloud infrastructure standards.

  • Check for evidence of submitting changes via git-review and iterating on feedback in Gerrit, which proves they can navigate the upstream review process.
  • Verify experience with Tempest integration tests to ensure they can validate cloud implementations and maintain stability across updates.
  • Review contributions to OpenStack client libraries or CLI tools to confirm they can build interfaces that interact correctly with cloud APIs.

Step 3: Interview your top choices

Discuss their approach to automated testing and how they handle merge conflicts in complex cloud environments. Schedule and conduct interviews within Upwork Messages, where you receive an immediate transcript and summary after each session to track key insights.

  • Ask how they structure tox validation jobs to catch errors early and maintain code quality before submission to the main branch.
  • Explore their experience debugging distributed systems to gauge their ability to troubleshoot issues in multi-node OpenStack deployments.
  • Question their process for documenting API changes to ensure other developers can integrate with their updates without confusion.

Step 4: Agree on scope and begin work

Set milestones for code submissions, test coverage improvements, and documentation updates. Use Upwork Messages and the contract workroom for communication and project management, plus identity verification, payment protection, hourly tracking, and project funds for security.

  • Define deliverables as specific patchsets merged into Gerrit or validated branches to measure progress against concrete technical outcomes.
  • Establish a schedule for running automated test suites to confirm that new code does not break existing cloud functionality.
  • Agree on documentation standards for any new features or bug fixes to keep project artifacts current and useful for the community.

Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.

The rates and information provided in this article are based on current data and industry sources available at the time of publication. Freelance rates can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, project scope, and market conditions. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research to confirm current rates and trends, as this information may change over time.

How much does hiring an OpenStack developer cost?

$500-$1,500 per project is a typical range for focused OpenStack developer work. Final pricing depends on scope, technical complexity, required integrations, source-material quality, revision needs, and the freelancer's experience level.

Documentation updates

$500-$1,200/project

Entry-level to mid-level
  • Revised or new documentation content
  • Updated artifacts based on feedback
  • Finalized docs submitted to repository

Bug fixes

$1,200-$2,500/project

Mid-level
  • Code changes submitted to Gerrit
  • Tox-based test results confirming fix
  • Approved change merged into codebase

Feature implementation

$2,500-$5,000/project

Mid-level to senior-level
  • New feature logic in project repo
  • Tempest integration tests for new logic
  • Iterated patchsets addressing reviewer comments

CI gate configuration

$5,000-$8,000/project

Senior-level
  • Configured tox validation jobs for CI
  • Automation scripts for gate execution
  • Successful gate run logs and reports

Custom cloud integration

$8,000-$15,000/project

Expert-level
  • Design document for custom integration
  • Code connecting OpenStack services to external systems
  • End-to-end testing results and deployment guide

Frequently asked questions

Is hiring an OpenStack developer worth it?

For most businesses, yes: hiring an OpenStack developer is worthwhile. These specialists build and maintain private cloud infrastructure using open-source components rather than relying solely on public cloud vendors. They configure automated testing pipelines and submit code patches to upstream projects to keep your deployment secure and current.

How do I evaluate OpenStack developer candidates?

Evaluate candidates by reviewing their contribution history in Gerrit and their familiarity with the git-review workflow. A strong candidate demonstrates experience running tox validation jobs and writing Tempest integration tests to verify cloud functionality before merging code.

What tools does an OpenStack developer use daily?

An OpenStack developer uses Git and git-review to manage code submissions to Gerrit for peer review. They also run tox for local validation and execute Tempest test suites to confirm that changes do not break existing cloud services.

Does an OpenStack developer write documentation?

Yes, an OpenStack developer authors and updates technical documentation within project repositories as part of the standard contribution process. This work ensures that configuration guides and API references remain accurate for other engineers deploying the cloud environment.