(Senior) Software Development Engineer (US Federal)

Workday; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 164,000 - 264,000; Full time

Job summary

Workday Government in Reston, VA is seeking mid to senior level engineers to design, scale, and maintain a Kubernetes-based platform. You will automate provisioning, implement CI/CD pipelines, and ensure security and compliance across multiple locations. A TS/SCI or higher clearance is preferred, with on-site work in the DMV area.

You will collaborate with distributed teams, own core components, and stay current with new technologies to deliver reliable, fast solutions for government contracts.

Qualifications

• Must be a US Citizen.
• A minimum of 5 years of hands‑on experience with large scale cloud infrastructure, DevOps, and software development engineering.
• Infrastructure as code: Proficiency in Terraform; 3+ years with Kubernetes for mid, 5+ for senior.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and implement Kubernetes platform solutions, including automation and observability.
• Maintain core platform components for high availability, scalability, and security.
• Automate provisioning and deployments using Terraform and Argo CD.
• Provide troubleshooting and support, collaborating with peer teams to resolve issues.
• Maintain security standards and ensure compliance with industry frameworks.
• Document platform components and share knowledge across the team.

Skills

Kubernetes

CI/CD pipelines

Go

C#

Python

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer related field

Tools

Argo CD

Terraform

Job description

Your work days are brighter here.

We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you’re building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Team

Your work matters here. At Workday Government, we focus on outcomes that serve a larger mission. Our work supports U.S. federal agencies as they modernize and transform the full employee lifecycle experience and finance operations—so they can operate with greater clarity, accountability, and trust. As a Fortune 500 company and a proven enterprise cloud platform, Workday brings modern technology, responsible AI, and secure infrastructure to some of the most complex environments in the world. The work isn’t theoretical. It’s operational. It’s high-impact. And it demands rigor, integrity, and long-term thinking.

From day one, you’ll be part of a team that values collaboration, follow-through, and doing the right thing—especially when the stakes are high. Our culture is grounded in integrity, respect, and shared responsibility. We challenge each other to think clearly, act thoughtfully, and build solutions that stand up to real-world demands. Here, curiosity is matched with accountability. Ambition is paired with trust. You’ll have the space to do your best work, the support to keep growing, and the backing of a company committed to long-term investment in both its people and the federal mission.

If you’re looking to apply your experience to meaningful, mission-driven work—alongside colleagues who take pride in building things that last—you’ll find that opportunity at Workday

About the Role

May be required to be on site at client locations in the DC, MD, and VA (DMV) area.

We are looking for a highly motivated and Senior and Mid-Level Engineers to join our growing Infrastructure and Platform Engineering team. You will play a critical role in building, scaling, observing and maintaining our Kubernetes-based platform and enabling our engineering organization to deliver capabilities and incremental products quickly and reliably. You will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies, solve complicated problems, and contribute to the foundation of our infrastructure. This role requires a strong technical background, a passion for automation, and a collaborative mindset.

This role involves collaborating with teams across multiple locations and time zones. You will need to be adept at communicating optimally and building positive relationships with colleagues in diverse locations.

You have a growth mindset and will be part of a team promoting a diverse and inclusive environment where you and your workmates are happy, energized and engaged, and who are excited to come to work every day.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement: Build, develop, and implement solutions for our Kubernetes platform, including infrastructure automation, CI/CD pipelines, and observability tools.
• Build and maintain: Build and maintain core platform components, ensuring high availability, scalability, and security.
• Automate and optimize: Automate infrastructure provisioning, configuration management, and application deployments using tools like Terraform and Argo CD.
• Troubleshooting and support: Provide support and solving for platform-related issues, working closely with peer development teams to resolve problems.
• Security and compliance: Implement and maintain security standard methodologies for the platform, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
• Documentation and knowledge sharing: Build and maintain comprehensive documentation for platform components and processes. Actively participate in knowledge sharing within the team.
• Collaborate effectively with other engineers and development teams across multiple locations and time zones.
• Stay up-to‑date with the latest technologies and trends in the platform engineering space.

This role will support one or more direct or indirect contracts with the U.S. Federal Government which, due to federal government security requirements, mandates that all Workday personnel working on the contracts be United States citizens (naturalized or native).

About You

We are open to hiring both Senior and Mid -level engineers. See below for qualifications for both.

This role may require a security clearance at the TS/SCI w/CI Poly level. Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance. An active TS/SCI w/CI Poly is preferred

Basic Qualifications (Mid -Level):

• Must be a US Citizen
• A minimum of 5 years of hands‑on experience working with large scale cloud infrastructure, DevOps, and software development engineering skills.
• Infrastructure as code: Proficiency in infrastructure automation tools like Terraform.
• 3+ years working with Kubernetes
• C#, Python, Ruby, Rust, or Go programming language proficiency
• Bachelor’s degree in a computer related field or equivalent work experience

Basic Qualifications (Senior):

• Must be a US Citizen
• A minimum of 8 years of hands‑on experience working with large scale cloud infrastructure, DevOps, and software development engineering skills.
• Infrastructure as code: Proficiency in infrastructure automation tools like Terraform.
• 5+ years working with Kubernetes
• C#, Python, Ruby, Rust, or Go programming language proficiency
• Bachelor’s degree in a computer related field or equivalent work experience

Other Qualifications:

• CI/CD: Experience with building, maintaining, and consuming CI/CD pipelines and tools like Argo CD.
• Programming skills: Proficiency in at least one programming language
• Problem-solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Communication: Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred:

• AWS Certification
• Amazon Web Services proficiency working in a production environment
• Experience with security auditing and compliance frameworks.
• Experience working in air gapped cloud regions
• Preferred DoD 8570/8140 compliant with at least IAT Level II certification, including a current Computing Environment (CE) credential and one approved specialty certification (e.g., CompTIA CySA+, GICSP, CASP+)

Workday Pay Transparency Statement

The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits, please click here.

Primary Location: USA.VA.Reston

Primary Location Base Pay Range: $163,800 USD - $245,800 USD

Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $148,200 USD - $264,000 USD

Our Approach to Flexible Work

With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in-office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you’ll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote “home office” roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

At Workday, we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive hiring experience where all candidates can fully demonstrate their skills. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point, please email [e-mail].

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