Senior Systems and Platform Engineer

MAXISIQ, Inc.; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Vexterra Group seeks a platform engineer with deep Linux, GPU, and networking expertise to design, develop, and optimize Kubernetes clusters powering enterprise AI for mission customers. The role is based in Bethesda, MD at the Intelligence Community Campus.

You will implement IaC with Terraform, Salt, Ansible, Bash and Python, build secure CI/CD pipelines, troubleshoot across cloud, network, and platform layers, and ensure compliance with federal security standards and ATO.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience or Master’s with 8+ years.
• 5+ years in Platform Engineering or System Engineering experience.
• Strong Linux and Kubernetes cluster management experience.
• DoD 8570.11-IAT Level II certification or higher required.
• Experience with IaC and automation pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Kubernetes Cluster Engineering: Design, configure, and maintain enterprise Kubernetes platforms.
• Infrastructure as Code: Develop IaC using Terraform, Salt, Ansible, Bash, Python.
• Design and implement secure, automated pipelines (GitLab CI/CD).
• Troubleshoot complex systems across cloud, network, and platform layers.
• Maintain documentation and support ATO/compliance with federal standards.

Skills

Kubernetes cluster administration

Linux administration

Containerization (Docker)

RESTful API integration

Problem solving

Team collaboration

IAT certification knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 10+ years experience, or Master’s + 8+ years

Tools

Terraform

Salt

Ansible

Bash

Python

GitLab CI/CD

Argo

Airflow

Kubeflow

Docker

Kubernetes tooling

Base Command Manager

Run:AI

NVIDIA AI Enterprise

Slurm

LSF

Open MPI

Job description

• Compensation: USD 170,000 - USD 210,000 - yearly

Job Description

Our Partner company, Vexterra Group, is looking for a highly skilled platform engineer with deep expertise in operating systems, hardware, GPU, and high-speed networking. In this role, you will design, develop, and optimize Kubernetes clusters that power enterprise AI for the mission customers. The work location is in Bethesda at the Intelligence Community Campus. Primary Responsibilities Kubernetes Cluster Engineering: Design, configure, and maintain enterprise Kubernetes platforms. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to define and optimize Kubernetes architecture, ensuring they meet performance, efficiency, and feature requirements. Infrastructure as Code: Develop and manage Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using tools such as Terraform, Salt, Ansible, Bash, Python or similar frameworks. Collaborate with development teams to design and implement secure, automated, and repeatable pipelines (e.g., GitLab CI/CD). Troubleshot complex systems issues across cloud, network, and platform layers. Compliance & Documentation: Maintain technical documentation, architectural specifications, and Linux best practices. Support ATO (Authority to Operate) and ensure compliance with federal security standards.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of relevant experience, or Masters degree with 8+ years of experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
• 5+ years in Platform Engineering or System Engineering experience.
• Strong expertise with Linux distributions. (RHEL, Ubuntu, Oracle Linux, and Rocky).
• Experience administering Kubernetes clusters, including deploying, scaling, and maintaining containerized workloads.
• Hands-on experience creating, managing, and troubleshooting Docker containers and container images throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Experience with Kubernetes cluster management and AI/ML workflow orchestration (Argo, Airflow, and Kubeflow).
• Strong track record with consuming, and troubleshooting RESTful APIs for platform integration and automation.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate within a team.
• Candidate must, at a minimum, meet DoD 8570.11- IAT Level II certification requirements (currently Security+ CE, CCNA-Security, GICSP, GSEC, or SSCP along with an appropriate computing environment (CE) certification). An IAT Level III certification would also be acceptable (CASP+, CCNP Security, CISA, CISSP, GCED, GCIH, CCSP).

Security Clearance

Security Clearance: TS/SCI with CI Poly is required for position or a TS/SCI and willingness to obtain a Poly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in managing NVIDIA GPU data center platforms. (DGX, HGX, H200, H100, 200, B300, L40S).
• Experience with NVIDIA enterprise tools such as Base Command Manager, Run:AI, Nvidia AI Enterprise.
• Knowledge of enterprise server components (storage/network controllers, HBA, SSDs).
• Familiarity with GPU virtualization and cloud computing.
• Experience developing and deploying infrastructure in AWS.
• Knowledge of distributed resource scheduling systems. (Slurm , LSF, Open MPI,etc)

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.