Application Engineer 4 (Linux/DevOps)

Power3 Solutions; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k

Paid time off

Career development

Referral bonuses

Job summary

Power3 Solutions in Laurel, MD seeks an Application Engineer 4 (Linux/DevOps) to support Linux VMs, Kubernetes clusters, and containerized workloads across multiple hosting platforms. The role requires TS/SCI with polygraph and hands-on experience with automation, cloud platforms, and security hardening.

The engineer will maintain Ansible playbooks, troubleshoot VM and cluster health, and collaborate with development teams to implement complex deployments and secure, scalable systems.

Qualifications

• Twelve (12) years minimum experience and a High School Diploma/GED.
• Ten (10) years minimum experience and an Associate's Degree.
• Eight (8) years minimum experience and a Bachelor's Degree.
• Six (6) years minimum experience and a Master's Degree.
• Four (4) years minimum experience and a Doctorate's Degree.
• Troubleshooting experience (VM & application logs)
• Strong Linux skills (RHEL 8/9)
• Experience with Kubernetes, Docker, and Rancher for containerized workloads
• Familiarity with Apache NiFi or similar data integration tools
• Working knowledge of Ansible for automation and configuration management
• Hands-on experience managing VMs in OpenStack, VMware, or AWS
• Ability to troubleshoot SSH, performance, and network-related issues in Linux environments
• Experience applying security hardening (STIG, STE/STN) and maintaining compliance documentation (SSP)
• Experience with network flow monitoring tools
• Monitoring and managing production Linux VMs
• Active Security + Certification

Responsibilities

• Server Certificate life cycle, monitoring VM health status, update software on VMs (manually and through YUM repos)
• Monitoring and managing production Linux VMs - stand-alone VMs and those integrated in a Kubernetes cluster – across multiple hosting platforms
• Maintain Ansible playbooks to push out changes to VMs and monitor the Kubernetes clusters through Rancher or Kubernetes commands to ensure the clusters nodes and pods are healthy and running smooth
• Troubleshoot production Linux VMs and Kubernetes clusters, ensuring node and pod health through Rancher or Kubernetes
• Support Apache NiFi deployments—performing configuration updates, monitoring dataflows, and resolving connectivity or resource-related issues
• Manage the full certificate lifecycle (server and PKI), ensuring systems meet current security and compliance standards (STIG/SSP)
• Perform software updates, patching, and system hardening through YUM and enterprise repositories
• Work directly with development teams and end users to deliver operational support ranging from basic configuration changes to complex cluster builds
• Analyze logs, troubleshoot performance issues, and identify root causes of VM, container, or application-level problems

Skills

Linux

Kubernetes

Docker

Rancher

Ansible

OpenStack

AWS

VMware

NiFi

Security (STIG/SSP)

SSH

Python

Red Hat cert

Networking

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Associate's Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Doctorate

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

Rancher

OpenStack

VMware

AWS

Ansible

Job description

We solve difficult business, IT, and analytic problems by addressing the whole problem – not just the symptoms – using interdisciplinary approaches that are both practical and innovative. We provide fresh alternatives to ordinary, mainstream consulting firms through small, highly skilled, and hand-picked teams that can meet clients' needs in any industry.Our broad interdisciplinary understanding allows us to provide the right solution, even if it is from outside the industry or traditionally defined problem space. We bring Public and Private, Civilian and Military expertise to every case.

We are hiring an Application Engineer 4 (Linux/DevOps) to work in Laurel, MD. Position location is subjectto change based on central MD client's needs.

Required: TS/SCI with a Polygraph

Description: Work across multiple hosting platforms supporting Linux VMs. This position allows you to learn about the product as well as dive deep into area of VM Management/DevOps.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Server Certificate life cycle, monitoring VM health status, update software on VMs (manually and through YUM repos), making sure VMs satisfy latest security requirements
• Monitoring and managing production Linux VMs - stand‑alone VMs and those integrated in a Kubernetes cluster – across multiple hosting platforms
• Maintain Ansible playbooks to push out changes to VMs and monitor the Kubernetes clusters through Rancher or Kubernetes commands to ensure the clusters nodes and pods are healthy and running smooth. Administer, secure, and maintain Linux virtual machines (RHEL 8/9) across multiple cloud platforms (OpenStack, VMware, AWS)
• Troubleshoot production Linux VMs and Kubernetes clusters, ensuring node and pod health through Rancher or Kubernetes
• Support Apache NiFi deployments—performing configuration updates, monitoring dataflows, and resolving connectivity or resource‑related issues
• Manage the full certificate lifecycle (server and PKI), ensuring systems meet current security and compliance standards (STIG/SSP)
• Perform software updates, patching, and system hardening through YUM and enterprise repositories
• Work directly with development teams and end users to deliver operational support ranging from basic configuration changes to complex cluster builds
• Analyze logs, troubleshoot performance issues, and identify root causes of VM, container, or application-level problems

Individual Capabilities/Experience Required:

• All experience and education will be in a technical field directly related to the labor category being proposed and all diplomas, GED certificates, and degrees will be from accredited institutions. Twelve (12) years minimum experience and a High School Diploma/GED. Ten (10) years minimum experience and an Associate's Degree. Eight (8) years minimum experience and a Bachelor's Degree. Six (6) years minimum experience and a Master's Degree. Four (4) years minimum experience and a Doctorate's Degree.
• Troubleshooting experience (VM & application logs & tracking down sources/causes of VM or application issues)
• Strong Linux skills (RHEL 8/9)
• Experience with Kubernetes, Docker, and Rancher for containerized workloads
• Familiarity with Apache NiFi or similar data integration tools
• Working knowledge of Ansible for automation and configuration management
• Hands‑on experience managing VMs in OpenStack, VMware, or AWS
• Ability to troubleshoot SSH, performance, and network‑related issues in Linux environments
• Experience applying security hardening (STIG, STE/STN) and maintaining compliance documentation (SSP)
• Experience with network flow monitoring tools
• Monitoring and managing production Linux VMs
• Active Security + Certification

Individual Capabilities/Experience Desired:

• RedHat certification
• Knowledge of Python
• MongoDB, Kubernetes (Docker)
• Familiar with Riverbed Technology

We have all the PERKS!

You are our most valuable resource — your ambition, your knowledge, yourcreativity. We offer an industry‑leading set of benefits to supplement your normalsalary compensation. We have you covered with flexible ways to balancework and home life, full health benefit premium coverage, and generouscontributions toward your retirement.

• Competitive health, dental, and vision plans with 100% paid premiums.
• 401k: We contribute 6% even if you don't!
• Time Off: 11 standard holidays, and 25 days of PTO
• Career Development: Get career counseling and individualized career development plans, including education and training.
• Employee referral bonuses for successful hires

We are anEqual Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.