Kubernetes Architect

Systems Planning & Analysis, Inc.; Chantilly, San Diego (VA, CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Life and disability insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) seeks a Kubernetes Architect to design, secure, and manage Kubernetes platforms for ORCA missions in Chantilly, VA.

You will lead architectural decisions, implement secure cluster foundations, and align deployments with federal standards. The role requires 8+ years in infra/DevOps, 5+ years Kubernetes in enterprise environments, DoD 8570/8140 certification, and an active TS/SCI clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 8+ years of infrastructure engineering, cloud architecture, DevOps, or platform engineering.
• 5+ years hands-on Kubernetes architecture and administration in enterprise environments.
• Experience designing and supporting Kubernetes platforms in closed environments.
• Experience maturing and migrating existing development procedures into modern CI/CD platforms.
• Excellent troubleshooting, performance optimization, and reliability skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to explain complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Must possess DoD 8570/8140 compliant certification and TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and long-term strategy of enterprise Kubernetes platforms.
• Architect, build, and maintain NIST RMF and JSIG compliant environments across air-gapped on-premises infra.
• Establish secure Kubernetes foundations: networking, storage, identity, lifecycle, governance.
• Develop scalable, compliant deployment workflows aligned with enterprise standards.
• Operationalize platform stability, tenant management, and shared services.
• Oversee platform operations: changes, upgrades, access control, monitoring, capacity, performance.
• Serve as Kubernetes SME, providing guidance and leadership to teams.
• Develop reference architectures, standards, and deployment patterns.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity, infra, networking, and development teams for secure operations.
• Ensure compliance with RMF, JSIG, STIGs and governance processes.
• Document architecture diagrams, runbooks, deployment standards, and procedures.

Skills

Kubernetes

Cloud architecture

DevOps

Infrastructure engineering

Security/compliance

Communication

DoD 8570/8140

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

CKA

CKS

Job description

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

SPA’s is hiring a Kubernetes Architect to provide design, secure implementation, and management of Kubernetes platforms across closed environments. This position is aligned with Operations Research and C5ISR Analysis (ORCA) group in Chantilly, VA. The role will serve as the technical lead for Kubernetes platform architecture, engineering, deployment, configuration, automation, infrastructure modernization, and container orchestration strategy. The Kubernetes Engineer will work closely with Developers and Cybersecurity Teams to ensure secure integration of Kubernetes with modern CI/CD processes.

SPA has an immediate need for a Kubernetes Architect. #KS

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and long-term operational strategy of enterprise Kubernetes platforms supporting ORCA missions and secure enterprise workloads


• Architect, build, and maintain NIST RMF and JSIG compliant Kubernetes environments across air-gapped on-premises infrastructure environments


• Establish secure Kubernetes cluster foundations including networking, storage integrations, identity management, cluster lifecycle management, and platform governance aligned with federal compliance requirements


• Develop repeatable, scalable, and compliant infrastructure deployment workflows aligned with enterprise standards and federal security requirements


• Operationalize and maintain platform stability, tenant management, and shared services running within Kubernetes environments


• Oversee Kubernetes platform operations to include: Change Management, upgrades and patching, access control and compliance, monitoring and logging, capacity planning, and performance management


• Serve as the Kubernetes Subject Matter Expert (SME) providing architectural guidance, technical leadership, and best practices to engineering and development teams.


• Develop reference architectures, platform standards, operational procedures, and deployment patterns supporting scalable application onboarding and long-term platform sustainability.


• Collaborate with cybersecurity, infrastructure, networking, and development teams to ensure secure and compliant platform operations.


• Ensure compliance with NIST RMF, JSIG, STIGs, and other regulatory guidance, configuration management requirements, and enterprise operational governance processes.


• Develop and maintain technical documentation including architecture diagrams, operational runbooks, deployment standards, and engineering procedures.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent professional experience) preferred


• 8+ years of experience in infrastructure engineering, cloud architecture, DevOps, or platform engineering roles


• 5+ years of hands-on Kubernetes architecture and administration experience in enterprise or mission-critical environments


• Experience designing and supporting Kubernetes platforms in closed environments


• Experience maturing and migrating existing development procedures and capabilities into modern CI/CD platforms and processes


• Excellent troubleshooting, performance optimization, and platform reliability engineering skills


• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences


• Must possess and maintain DoD 8570 / 8140 compliant certification


• Active TS/SCI security clearance

Desired Qualifications:

• Certifications such as:
  
  
  
  • Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
  
  
  • Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
  
  
  
  


• Experience supporting disconnected, classified, or high-security operational environments

Pay Range Information

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Virginia, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $145,000.00/Yr. - USD $165,000.00/Yr.