Senior Kubernetes & Linux Systems Administrator

SMS Data Products Group, Inc.; Kirtland (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SMS Data Products Group, Inc. is seeking a Senior Kubernetes & Linux Systems Administrator to architect, deploy, secure, and maintain enterprise container orchestration for DoD systems and AI/ML workloads.

You will work with cybersecurity, scientific computing staff, and program management to ensure reliable operations. Responsibilities include building clusters, enforcing RBAC and STIGs, performing OS and container security, and coordinating with vendors and project managers.

Qualifications

• Active SECRET security clearance (or ability to obtain/maintain).
• CompTIA Security+ CE required for privileged DoD accounts.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field (or equivalent).
• 5+ years Linux systems administration in enterprise/high-performance environments.
• 3+ years Kubernetes cluster deployment/administration experience.
• Proficiency with Ansible, Puppet, or similar CM tools.
• Experience with networking (DNS/DHCP/firewalls/VLANs) and storage (SAN/NAS/object).
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity and DoD/AF compliance.

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, and maintain Kubernetes clusters for AI/ML workloads.
• Implement container lifecycle management and CI/CD integration.
• Manage container runtimes (Docker/Podman) and orchestration tools (Helm, Kustomize).
• Ensure RBAC, network policies, and container security compliance (DoD STIGs).
• Administer Linux (RHEL/CentOS/Ubuntu) in classified and unclassified environments.
• Patch OS, tune kernel, optimize performance for HPC workloads.
• Configure storage, networking, and virtualization; support IaC practices.
• Support RMF/eMASS documentation and system accreditation.

Skills

Kubernetes administration

Linux systems administration

RBAC and security policies

Ansible or Puppet

Networking and storage

CI/CD tooling

Security compliance

DoD STIGs

RMF/eMASS documentation

Scripting (Python/Bash/Go)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/IT or related field

Tools

Jenkins

GitLab CI

ArgoCD

Anchore/Trivy/Clair

Docker/Podman

Job description

The Senior Kubernetes & Linux Systems Administrator will serve as a key member of the Embedded Network Services team, responsible for architecting, deploying, securing, and maintaining enterprise-grade container orchestration environments in support of high-performance computing, AI/ML clusters, and mission-critical DoD systems. This role requires deep expertise in Kubernetes (K8s), Linux systems engineering, and automation frameworks, as well as experience operating in secure, classified, and compliance-driven environments. The administrator will work closely with cybersecurity teams, scientific computing staff, and program management to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient operations for both development and production workloads.

Since 1976, SMS has specialized in modernizing legacy IT and sustaining complex enterprise environments for federal agencies. With the goal of building long-term partnerships with our customers, we invest in our employees by providing the training, tools, and support they need to keep critical missions operational, improve performance, and reduce risk. SMS is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, with offices and on-site operations at customer locations throughout the United States. For additional information on SMS, visit www.sms.com.

Job Responsibilities

• Kubernetes & Container Management
  • Design, deploy, and maintain Kubernetes clusters (bare-metal and cloud-based) for AI/ML workloads, research computing, and mission applications.
  • Implement container lifecycle management, secure image registries, and CI/CD integration.
  • Manage container runtimes (Docker, Podman) and orchestration tooling (Helm, Kustomize).
  • Ensure Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), network policies, and container security compliance (DoD STIGs).
• Linux Systems Administration
  • Perform advanced administration of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, and Ubuntu systems in both classified and unclassified environments.
  • Manage OS patching, kernel tuning, and performance optimization for high-throughput computing workloads.
  • Configure and manage storage (SAN, NAS, object storage), networking, and virtualization platforms.
  • Support Ansible/Puppet-based configuration management and infrastructure-as-code practices.
• Security, Compliance, and Documentation
  • Implement and maintain DoD STIG compliance, encryption for data at rest/in transit, and vulnerability mitigation strategies.
  • Contribute to RMF (Risk Management Framework) and eMASS documentation to support system accreditation.
  • Maintain security controls including VPN access, SSH key management, and multi-factor authentication.
• Operational Support
  • Monitor cluster and system health, respond to incidents, and troubleshoot performance issues.
  • Coordinate with scientific researchers to integrate specialized software and workflows.
  • Serve as a technical liaison with vendors, government project managers, and other IT support teams.
  • Support backup, disaster recovery, and COOP procedures for critical systems.

Required Qualifications

• Active SECRET security clearance (or ability to obtain/maintain).
• CompTIA Security+ CE (required for privileged DoD accounts).
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of Linux systems administration in enterprise or high-performance environments.
• 3+ years of Kubernetes cluster deployment and administration experience.
• Proficiency with Ansible, Puppet, or similar configuration management tools.
• Experience with networking (DNS, DHCP, firewalls, VLANs) and storage (SAN, NAS, object storage).
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles and DoD/AF compliance requirements.

Desired Qualifications

• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) or equivalent Linux certification.
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS).
• Experience with GPU-enabled Kubernetes workloads for AI/ML pipelines.
• Familiarity with hybrid or multi-cloud K8s deployments (Rancher, OpenShift, Tanzu, EKS/AKS/GKE).
• Hands-on experience with CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitLab CI, ArgoCD) and container security scanning (Anchore, Trivy, Clair).
• Knowledge of high-performance computing (HPC) environments and parallel processing frameworks.
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or Go.

SMS is 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 status as a protected veteran.