Platform Engineering Technical Lead

Socket.dev; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 123,000 - 310,000; Full time

Job summary

Clarity Innovations is advancing a platform for cyberspace operations, delivering scalable, secure infrastructure across cloud-native and on-prem environments. The Principal Platform Engineer will drive architecture and DevSecOps practices, enabling efficient, automated pipelines and robust container lifecycles.

Responsibilities include leading Kubernetes-based GitOps deployments, OCI hardening, and cross-functional collaboration to meet mission-critical objectives with top-secret security

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET security clearance (US Citizens only).
• Experience with CNCF technologies and cloud-native deployments.
• Team player who can lead and work independently in a high-trust environment.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate delivery and deployment of operational capabilities.
• Lead design of Kubernetes-based GitOps deployments.
• Design and implement pipelines with Break-Build SATS and DAST.
• Ensure OCI hardening of container images lifecycle.
• Manage container signature lifecycle provenance and cross-functional coordination.

Skills

Kubernetes

GitOps

CI/CD

Open Policy Agent

Docker

Terraform

Pulumi

Crossplane

Linux

Azure & AWS

Education

Bachelor of Science (CS/CE/SE)

Tools

Envoy

Spinnaker

Istio

Keycloak

MinIO

Job description

Clarity Innovations is a trusted national security partner, dedicated to safeguarding our nation’s interests and delivering innovative solutions that empower the Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DoD) to transform data into actionable intelligence, ensuring mission success in an evolving world.

Our mission-first software and data engineering platform modernizes data operations, utilizing advanced workflows, CI/CD, and secure DevSecOps practices. We focus on challenges in Information Warfare, Cyber Operations, Operational Security, and Data Structuring, enabling end-to-end solutions that drive operational impact.

We are committed to delivering cutting-edge tools and capabilities that address the most complex national security challenges, empowering our partners to stay ahead of emerging threats and ensuring the success of their critical missions. At Clarity, we are people-focused and set on being a destination employer for top talent, offering an environment where innovation thrives, careers grow, and individuals are valued. Join us as we continue to lead innovation and tackle the most pressing challenges in national security.

Position Overview

The Principal Platform Engineer position is part of a dynamic team at the forefront of prototyping infrastructure designs to support the next generation of cyberspace operations. In this role, you will contribute to developing a platform that simplifies complex infrastructure management across cloud-native and on-premises environments. Your work will involve scalable systems architecture, implementing GitOps workflows for version-controlled and automated operations, and designing declarative interfaces to create tools and processes that bridge the gap between development and operations while enhancing productivity and reliability in diverse infrastructure settings. This role presents unique opportunities, such as regular customer interaction to iterate, streamline, and multiply platform capabilities to meet customer objectives of broad deployment and exceptional flexibility. You will be expected to provide architectural design leadership, systems design leadership, and elegant solutions to pressing operational challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate delivery and deployment of operational capabilities
• Participate in architectural discussions and lead design of Kubernetes-based GitOps deployments
• Lead design and implementation of pipelines with Break-Build SATS and DAST
• Ensure OCI hardening of container images lifecycle
• Manage the chain of custody of Container signature lifecycle provenance
• Communicate through thoughtful and thorough design documents for new initiatives
• Design and implement robust, scalable, and secure cloud infrastructure solutions aligned to overall product vision
• Build and integrate automated testing into the product’s codebase
• Foster a collaborative team environment, mentor junior engineers, and coordinate efforts across cross-functional teams to ensure project success

Qualifications

• Able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET security clearance (note: only US Citizens are eligible for security clearances)
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline (degree requirement can be met with four years of hands‑on experience in a full‑time software engineering or similar position.)
• Able to collaborate as a team but execute independently
• Thrives in a high‑trust, adaptable team environment
• Proficient in Open Policy Agent management
• Experience using CNCF technologies such as envoy, spinnaker, Istio, Keycloak, minio etc.
• Proficient in CNCF container networking ingress and egress
• Proficient with CI/CD pipeline‑based GitOps deployments
• Proficient with Kubernetes cluster lifecycle (deployment, troubleshooting, scaling)
• Proficient with container orchestration using Kubernetes
• Proficient deploying and managing Kubernetes clusters on major cloud platforms, particularly Azure and AWS
• Proficient in containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Podman)
• Proficient with Infrastructure as Code Utilities (e.g. Terraform, Pulumi, Crossplane)
• Proficient in Linux‑based development environments (e.g., Ubuntu, RedHat Enterprise Linux, or derivatives)
• Experience implementing modern DevOps practices and tools (e.g., CI/CD, IaC, GitOps) in production deployment workflows
• Experience providing daily guidance and oversight to other engineers
• Experience contributing to or leading the design of new capabilities
• Experience leading communications with customers and end users
• Experience troubleshooting network connectivity issues
• Experience with a version control code repositories, such as GitLab

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility
• Able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET security clearance (note: only US Citizens are eligible for security clearances)
• Familiar with operations in cyberspace domain
• Experience designing and implementing solutions on Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services
• Familiar with Scaled Agile Framework
• Experience writing automated tests (e.g., unit tests, acceptance tests, system /integration tests)
• Expertise in Cluster API and multi K8s cluster management using Liqo.io
• Experience using crossplane.io for Hyper Converged Infrastructure (HCI)
• Proficient in Security as code (e.g., OSCAL)
• Proficient in Software bill of materials and software supply chain management to ensure attestation of code lifecycle
• Experience writing code in a general‑purpose language such as Python, Go, or Rust

Salary: $123,000 - $310,000

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.