Senior Platform Engineer (OpAI) - TS clearance - San Diego, CA

Pmat Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

PMAT is seeking a Senior Platform Engineer in San Diego, CA to operationalize AI for naval platforms and systems. You will build secure, scalable cloud environments to support AI/ML workloads and autonomous systems, with hands‑on engineering across cutting‑edge technologies.

You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver mission‑critical capabilities, maintain documentation, and mentor junior engineers in a fast‑paced defense environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related STEM field (Master’s preferred) or equivalent years of experience.
• Relevant certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect, Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), or Security+ strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain secure cloud infrastructure within AWS GovCloud environments.
• Configure and manage container orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes and OpenShift.
• Implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions using Ansible, Terraform, or CloudFormation.
• Support secure data flow across multiple systems, ensuring compliance with DoD cybersecurity standards and STIG requirements.
• Collaborate with DevSecOps teams to streamline deployment pipelines and container management.
• Optimize cloud resources for performance, scalability, and cost‑effectiveness.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues within cloud, networking, and containerized environments.
• Partner with AI/ML engineers and software developers to deploy and integrate advanced analytics platforms and tools.
• Maintain detailed technical documentation to support system operations and compliance.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and team members.

Skills

Cloud engineering

Cloud administration

DevOps

SRE

Linux administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering or related STEM

Master’s preferred

Tools

AWS GovCloud

Kubernetes

OpenShift

Terraform

Ansible

CloudFormation

Docker

Linux

Job description

This position requires an ACTIVE DoD security clearance. Applicants who do not currently hold an active clearance will not be considered.

Candidates should be prepared to complete a coding exercise as part of the interview process.

About Us: PMAT is an innovative small business founded with a passion for developing forward‑leaning solutions from exceptional people that increase the mission’s capability. We focus on designing and building impactful digital solutions that utilize modern cloud, data, and software concepts. Our passion is working on complex and progressive challenges such as edge platform computing, containerizing legacy platforms, distributed data platforms, or heterogeneous data analysis. We recruit, retain, and foster a team motivated to pursue passions, investigate new ways of doing things, and embody an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. We believe in being curious about every element of a problem and experiment relentlessly. We foster continuous learning in an environment that encourages positive collaboration and expands our capabilities. We tap into collective intelligence, acknowledging that the most brilliant people may not be in the room. Above all else, we believe that delivering and demonstrating is more potent than a sheet of paper. We are passionate about mission‑centric design and delivering effective capabilities to and for the warfighter.

Whether you’re an experienced engineer or just beginning your career, you’ll work alongside experts who are committed to solving mission‑critical problems. If you’re passionate about using your skills to make a real difference, become part of a team that’s shaping the future of defense technology!

In this role, you’ll contribute to Naval Operational Architecture, working alongside engineers and operators to deliver resilient, forward‑leaning solutions in support of national defense.

About the role:

PMAT is seeking a Senior Platform Engineer. As a Senior Platform Engineer supporting Naval Operational Architecture, you will play a critical role in operationalizing AI for next‑generation naval platforms and systems. You’ll focus on building and managing secure, scalable cloud‑based environments to support advanced analytics, AI/ML workloads, and autonomous systems. This position involves hands‑on engineering with cutting‑edge technologies, close collaboration with cross‑functional teams, and direct support of mission‑critical DoD capabilities. Your work will directly enhance the warfighter’s ability to execute distributed maritime operations and maintain tactical superiority.

Responsibilities:

• Design, build, and maintain secure cloud infrastructure within AWS GovCloud environments.
• Configure and manage container orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes and OpenShift.
• Implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions using Ansible, Terraform, or CloudFormation.
• Support secure data flow across multiple systems, ensuring compliance with DoD cybersecurity standards and STIG requirements.
• Collaborate with DevSecOps teams to streamline deployment pipelines and container management.
• Optimize cloud resources for performance, scalability, and cost‑effectiveness.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues within cloud, networking, and containerized environments.
• Partner with AI/ML engineers and software developers to deploy and integrate advanced analytics platforms and tools.
• Maintain detailed technical documentation to support system operations and compliance.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and team members.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Experience working as a cloud engineer, cloud administrator, cloud architecture, DevOps engineer, IT Specialist, platform engineer, site reliability engineer, release engineer, systems administrator, systems engineer, or similar role.
• Strong knowledge of either cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) or containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Some proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) for automation tasks.
• Some experience with Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform, Ansible) for configuration management.
• Some proficiency with Linux system administration.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate in a team environment.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity principles and best practices for platform security.
• Ability to transport/move heavy equipment (50lbs) on planes and ships.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of advanced networking topics, e.g, VPCs, TCP/IP, TLS, etc.
• Knowledge of DevOps practices and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, e.g., GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or Jenkins.
• Experience with monitoring and logging tools for platform health and performance, e.g,. CloudWatch, Grafana, or Elasticsearch.
• OpenShift or Kubernetes
• Airflow
• Kafka
• RabbitMQ
• Apache
• Kibana
• Adapting open‑source products to work with GovCloud
• Domino Data Labs
• Tobias
• Fiddler
• Experience with monitoring/logging tools such as CloudWatch or Grafana
• Experience supporting government or military organizations

Education and Certification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related STEM field (Master’s preferred) OR Equivalent years of relevant experience in lieu of degree
• Relevant certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect, Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), or Security+ strongly preferred.
  

Citizenship and Clearance requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship required
• No dual citizenship
• Active TS security clearance required
• Active TS SCI security clearance preferred

Location/Address:

• On‑site
• San Diego, CA, NAVWAR

Travel & Passport:

• 15%, CONUS and OCONUS
  
• A current passport will be required

Work Environment: PMAT offices as needed. In some cases, work in a government facility may be required. Travel may be required for customer engagement, team coordination, and potentially for business development.

PMAT is an equal‑opportunity employer.We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people‑first culture.We are committed to non‑discrimination onanyprotectedbasis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.

#CJ