Principal Platform Engineer

clarityinnovates; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Clarity Innovations is seeking a Platform Engineer to design, develop, deploy, and maintain the foundational infrastructure and platform services that support mission-critical applications in secure, scalable environments.

You will automate infrastructure with Bash, Ansible, and Python, build CI/CD pipelines, run containerized workloads in Kubernetes, and implement GitOps while collaborating across software, cybersecurity, and data teams. TS/SCI eligibility preferred for this role.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with Bash, Ansible and Python for infrastructure automation and tooling.
• Hands-on experience deploying and managing containerized workloads in Kubernetes.
• Experience implementing GitOps to manage, scale and auditing production infra and workloads.
• Strong Linux administration, networking, and security fundamentals.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, source control, automated testing, and release management.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, document, test, and maintain platform services, infrastructure automation, and supporting software.
• Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines and automated workflows that improve build, test, deployment, and release processes.
• Automate infrastructure provisioning, configuration management, operational tasks, and system maintenance using Go, Python, and related tooling.
• Deploy, operate, troubleshoot, and optimize containerized applications and services running in Kubernetes environments.
• Implement and maintain GitOps workflows to manage infrastructure and application configurations, support version control, and provide auditable, repeatable deployments.
• Apply security best practices across platform infrastructure, networking, operating systems, and software delivery pipelines.
• Monitor platform health, troubleshoot complex system issues, and improve reliability, performance, scalability, and operational resilience.
• Collaborate with software engineers, cybersecurity professionals, data engineers, and mission stakeholders to deliver dependable platform capabilities.
• Explore and integrate emerging technologies, including AI agents and intelligent automation, to improve platform operations and mission effectiveness.
• Contribute to technical documentation, engineering standards, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring quality and mission requirements are met.

Skills

Bash

Ansible

Python

Automation

Linux

Education

BS in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering or related field

Tools

Kubernetes

GitOps

Go

CI/CD tooling

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.

Role:

The Platform Engineer designs, develops, deploys, and maintains the foundational infrastructure and platform services that enable mission-critical applications to operate securely, reliably, and at scale. This is a hands-on engineering role focused on platform automation, container orchestration, infrastructure reliability, and continuous delivery in secure environments.

The engineer contributes to platform architecture, implementation, and lifecycle management while improving developer workflows, operational efficiency, and system resilience. Working independently and collaboratively, the Platform Engineer solves complex technical challenges, supports project milestones, and helps establish engineering standards that ensure consistent, repeatable, and secure platform operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Design, develop, document, test, and maintain platform services, infrastructure automation, and supporting software.
• Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines and automated workflows that improve build, test, deployment, and release processes.
• Automate infrastructure provisioning, configuration management, operational tasks, and system maintenance using Go, Python, and related tooling.
• Deploy, operate, troubleshoot, and optimize containerized applications and services running in Kubernetes environments.
• Implement and maintain GitOps workflows to manage infrastructure and application configurations, support version control, and provide auditable, repeatable deployments.
• Apply security best practices across platform infrastructure, networking, operating systems, and software delivery pipelines.
• Monitor platform health, troubleshoot complex system issues, and improve reliability, performance, scalability, and operational resilience.
• Collaborate with software engineers, cybersecurity professionals, data engineers, and mission stakeholders to deliver dependable platform capabilities.
• Explore and integrate emerging technologies, including AI agents and intelligent automation, to improve platform operations and mission effectiveness.
• Contribute to technical documentation, engineering standards, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring quality and mission requirements are met.

Requirements:

• Strong knowledge of Bash, Ansible and Python, particularly for infrastructure automation, service development, provisioning, and operational tooling.
• Hands-on experience with containerization technologies and deploying, managing, and debugging workloads in Kubernetes clusters.
• Experience implementing GitOps practices to manage, scale, and audit production infrastructure and containerized workloads.
• Proficiency with Linux operating systems, including system administration, troubleshooting, process management, and performance analysis.
• Working knowledge of networking, security concepts, system internals, and secure infrastructure design.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, source control, automated testing, and software release management.
• Ability to automate repeatable operational processes and develop reliable, maintainable platform solutions.
• Interest or experience in building, integrating, and deploying AI agents or AI-enabled automation capabilities.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical problems of moderate scope and complexity and deliver effective, well-documented solutions.
• Commitment to engineering excellence, secure-by-design principles, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• BS and 8-10 years relevant experience
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance (note, only US Citizens are eligible for security clearances)

Skills:

Ability to work independently, take ownership of technical challenges, and