External Job Posting Title Senior Platform Engineer - OpenShift / Container Platform

Peraton; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 146,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton seeks a Platform Engineer to stand up and operate a bare-metal OpenShift platform, transitioning to IaC with Terraform and Ansible. You will assess OpenShift vs Spectro Cloud and support DISA SIPR-compliant infrastructure in a security-focused environment.

The role requires 12+ years of experience with a DoD clearance, expertise in Kubernetes-based platforms, and hands-on OpenShift on bare metal. Some telework is possible with proximity to designated U.S. locations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12+ years of general work experience with BS/BA; 10+ years with MS/MA; 7+ years with PhD.
• 5+ years platform/systems engineering with hands-on Kubernetes-based container platforms.
• US Citizenship and an active DoD Secret clearance are required.
• DoD 8570/8140 compliant certification is required.
• Hands-on OpenShift or enterprise Kubernetes on bare metal.
• IaC proficiency with Terraform and Ansible for provisioning and config management.
• Experience with virtualization/cloud orchestration platforms (Spectro Cloud, VMware).
• Strong understanding of container architecture: networking, storage, security, lifecycle.
• Ability to document architecture, licensing tradeoffs, and operational considerations.
• Regular access to a DISA SIPR-accredited facility.

Responsibilities

• Stand up and operate a bare-metal OpenShift platform; support feasibility study vs Spectro Cloud.
• Drive IaC provisioning using Terraform and Ansible for platform and VM orchestration.
• Reduce manual installs by transitioning to an IaC-managed model.
• Manage OpenShift cluster lifecycle: install, upgrade, patch, scale, day-2 ops.
• Deploy core platform services, including authoritative DNS (PowerDNS).
• Enforce STIGs and cybersecurity requirements on platform infrastructure.
• Monitor health, performance, and capacity; handle logging and alerts.
• Support OCONUS hardware bootstrap and physical hardware tasks.
• Document architecture decisions and operational procedures.

Skills

Kubernetes

OpenShift

Linux (RHEL)

Terraform

Ansible

Spectro Cloud

DISA SIPR access

US Citizenship

DoD Secret clearance

DoD 8570/8140 cert

Documentation

Education

BS/BA + 12+ years

MS/MA + 10+ years

PhD + 7+ years

Tools

OpenShift

Terraform

Ansible

Spectro Cloud

VMware

Job description

Responsibilities

The Platform Engineer will stand up and operate a bare-metal container platform (OpenShift), support a feasibility assessment of OpenShift versus Spectro Cloud, and drive the transition toward infrastructure-as-code managed provisioning using Terraform and Ansible. This individual will work in a bare-metal-first environment while actively reducing reliance on manual installs over time, and will support core platform services and OCONUS bootstrap activities.

This role is flexible for occasional telework however, candidates must be within 50 miles to one of the following work locations: Oklahoma City, OK, Montgomery, AL, Ogden, UT, San Antonio, TX, Mechanicsburg, PA, Chambersburg, PA, Arlington, VA, Ft. Meade, MD, Columbus, OH.

Other Responsibilities Include:

• Install, configure, and operate bare-metal OpenShift (or equivalent enterprise Kubernetes distribution) clusters


• Design and implement infrastructure-as-code provisioning using Terraform and Ansible for platform and VM orchestration


• Support the objective feasibility assessment of OpenShift versus Spectro Cloud, documenting licensing tradeoffs, operability, and long-term sustainability considerations


• Manage OpenShift cluster lifecycle including installation, upgrades, patching, scaling, and day-2 operations


• Deploy and support core platform services including authoritative DNS (e.g., PowerDNS)


• Implement and enforce STIGs and cybersecurity compliance requirements on platform infrastructure


• Monitor platform health, performance, and capacity using observability tools; manage platform logging and alerting


• Support OCONUS hardware bootstrap activities including physical hardware installation and configuration


• Document platform architecture, configuration decisions, and operational procedures


• Transition platform provisioning from manual/bare-metal installs toward a fully IaC-managed model

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum general work experience of 12 years with BS/BA; Minimum of 10 years with MS/MA; Minimum of 7 years with Ph.D.


• 5+ years of platform/systems engineering experience with hands-on Kubernetes-based container platform experience


• US Citizenship


• Active DoD Secret clearance


• DoD 8570/8140 compliant certification


• Hands-on experience deploying and administering OpenShift (or another enterprise Kubernetes distribution) on bare metal


• Infrastructure-as-code proficiency, specifically Terraform and Ansible, for provisioning and configuration management


• Working knowledge of virtualization/cloud orchestration platforms (Spectro Cloud, VMware, or equivalent)


• Understanding of container platform architecture: networking (CNI), storage (CSI), cluster security, and lifecycle management


• Ability to document platform architecture, licensing tradeoffs, and operational considerations


• Strong Linux administration skills (RHEL)


• Must have regular/recurring physical access to a DISA SIPR-accredited facility

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills


• Excellent writing and grammatical skills


• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail


• Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Administration


• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)


• HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate


• Experience with GitOps workflows (e.g., ArgoCD, Flux) for platform configuration management


• Experience bootstrapping platforms in disconnected or OCONUS environments including physical hardware installation

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range

$146,000 - $234,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.