Platform DevOps Engineer

Agile Defense; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Agile Defense seeks a Platform DevOps Engineer to lead secure cloud-native platform design, implementation, and sustainment. You will shape DevSecOps practices, modernize infrastructure, and mentor teams while coordinating with government stakeholders on roadmaps and architectures.

The role requires a TS clearance, 10+ years in DevOps/DevSecOps, and deep AWS/Kubernetes expertise to deliver resilient, automated solutions. On-site in Arlington, VA with enterprise-scale responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Ten or more years progressively responsible experience in DevOps/DevSecOps, enterprise-scale environments.
• Five or more years deploying cloud-native solutions in AWS.
• Two or more years of software development experience ideally supporting customer-facing systems.
• Experience leading enterprise software development or cloud modernization efforts.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and maintain CI/CD pipelines and IaC.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to engineers, leadership, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical authority for DevOps and DevSecOps architecture across projects.
• Lead design, implementation, and continuous improvement of secure, scalable cloud-native platforms.
• Oversee full lifecycle of services from design to deployment and operations.
• Design and maintain CI/CD pipelines and IaC (Terraform, Crossplane).
• Mentor engineers and collaborate with government stakeholders on roadmaps.
• Ensure platform security, reliability, and performance across deployments.

Skills

DevOps leadership

Cloud engineering

AWS cloud

CI/CD pipelines

Kubernetes

Docker

Helm

Kustomize

Terraform

Python scripting

CrossPlane

GitLab

Security/DevSecOps

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related STEM

Tools

GitLab

Kubernetes

KeyCloak

Docker

Helm

Kustomize

Terraform

CI/CD tooling

Python

CrossPlane

AWS cloud services

Job description

Requisition #: 1714

Job Title: Platform DevOps Engineer

Location: Arlington, VA

Clearance Level: Active Top Secret (TS) clearance with the ability to obtain or maintain TS/SCI eligibility

About Agile Defense

At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges require new solutions. That’s why we always look to the future and embrace change with an unmovable spirit and the courage to build for what comes next.

Our vision is to bring adaptive innovation to support our nation's most important missions through the seamless integration of advanced technologies, elite minds, and unparalleled agility—leveraging a foundation of speed, flexibility, and ingenuity to strengthen and protect our nation’s vital interests.

Job Description

Agile Defense is seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Platform DevOps Engineer to serve as the technical leader for the design, implementation, and sustainment of secure, scalable cloud-native platforms supporting mission‑critical applications. The SME will provide technical leadership across the software development lifecycle, establish DevSecOps best practices, guide infrastructure modernization efforts, and mentor engineering teams. This individual will work closely with government stakeholders, architects, developers, cybersecurity professionals, and program leadership to deliver resilient, automated, and cloud‑first solutions.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for DevOps and DevSecOps architecture across multiple projects
• Continuously improve Developer Experience on the cloud platform
  • Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of secure, scalable cloud-native platforms
• Engage in and improve the full lifecycle of services—from design and development through deployment, operations, monitoring, and optimization
• Capture and execute customer requirements while ensuring alignment with project objectives and performance metrics
• Design, implement, and maintain enterprise CI/CD pipelines using industry best practices
• Define, establish, and maintain DevSecOps standards, processes, and governance across the software development lifecycle.
  • Design and implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions using tools such as Terraform and Crossplane
• Standardize the creation, deployment, and management of Helm charts and Kubernetes-based application deployments
• Develop and implement automated testing frameworks and deployment strategies to improve reliability and reduce operational risk
• Monitor platform performance, availability, scalability, and security while proactively identifying opportunities for improvement
• Conduct architecture reviews, code reviews, and technical design sessions
• Troubleshoot complex infrastructure and application issues while providing root cause analysis and long-term solutions
• Mentor developers and junior engineers and provide technical leadership across cross-functional teams
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend solutions that improve efficiency, security, and scalability
• Collaborate directly with government stakeholders and program leadership to develop technical roadmaps and modernization strategies
• Support proposal development, technical solutioning, and architecture planning efforts as required

Education and Background

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related STEM field or equivalent combination of education, certifications, and experience.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in DevOps, DevSecOps, cloud engineering, and platform engineering, with demonstrated experience serving as a technical lead or Subject Matter Expert supporting enterprise‑scale environments.

Years of Experience

10+ years

Required Skills

Position Requirements

• Active Top Secret (TS) clearance with the ability to obtain or maintain TS/SCI eligibility
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical field; or equivalent combination of education, certifications, and experience
• Ten (10) or more years of progressive experience designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise DevOps and DevSecOps environments
• Five (5) or more years of experience designing and deploying cloud-native solutions within Amazon Web Services (AWS).
  • Two (2) or more years of experience in software development, ideally maintaining customer facing systems
  • Demonstrated experience serving as a technical lead or Subject Matter Expert on enterprise software development or cloud modernization efforts
  • Demonstrated experience onboarding developers and application teams to a mature infrastructure
• Extensive experience designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines using GitLab or similar technologies
• Extensive experience with Kubernetes, Docker, Helm, Kustomize, container security, vulnerability scanning, and container hardening
• Strong understanding of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform or comparable technologies
• Experience implementing secure DevSecOps practices throughout the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Strong knowledge of Agile software development methodologies
• Experience reviewing and validating software code, application architectures, and infrastructure designs
• Experience developing automation using Python, Bash, or similar scripting languages
• Experience deploying and maintaining highly available enterprise applications in AWS
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve complex technical issues
• Ability to communicate technical concepts effectively with engineering teams, program leadership, and government stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Required Technical Experience

• Git and GitLab
• Kubernetes
• KeyCloak
  • Docker
• Helm
• Kustomize
• Terraform
• CI/CD pipeline development
• Python
• CrossPlane
• AWS cloud services

Preferred Skills

Desired or Preferred Skills and Abilities:

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Experience supporting large-scale DoD cloud modernization initiatives
• Experience deploying enterprise applications in AWS production environments
• Experience designing enterprise Kubernetes platforms
• Experience with Platform Engineering and Internal Developer Platforms (IDPs)
• Experience implementing Zero Trust architectures
• Experience with Keycloak, Redis, CrossPlane, and AWS Load Balancing
• Experience with Apache Airflow and enterprise ETL pipelines
• Experience with Jira
• Experience with Elasticsearch/OpenSearch, Prometheus, Grafana, or similar observability platforms
• Experience with Amazon Linux
• Strong proficiency in Python, Bash, JavaScript, and TypeScript

Working Conditions

General Office Environment

Our Core Values

• Happy - Be Infectious.
• Helpful - Be Supportive.
• Honest - Be Trustworthy.
• Humble - Be Grounded.
• Hungry - Be Eager.
• Hustle - Be Driven.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.