Software Engineer 3 - Linux/Python/Docker/Kubernetes/LLM/CI/CD/Grafana

Captivation; Maryland; On-site; USD 130,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary: $130k–$270k per year (open to)

Up to 401k 20% contribution

HSA contribution

Paid time off 6 weeks

Comprehensive insurance package

Job summary

Captivation is seeking a senior software engineer to design, develop, deploy, and support solutions in a high-performance Linux environment. You will work hands-on with Python, Kubernetes, Helm, and CI/CD automation while advancing secure, production-ready SI systems for mission-critical use.

The role requires Top Secret/SCI clearance with favorable polygraph, and a strong background in GenSI tech, LLMs, embeddings, and vector databases.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required with 5+ years SWE experience or Bachelor's with 7+ years; 9+ years total experience.
• Proven Linux development and troubleshooting experience.
• Hands-on Python development in HPC/production environments.
• Kubernetes-based deployment and CI/CD pipeline design and maintenance.
• Secure SDLC, DevSecOps practices, and observability implementation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, deploy, and support scalable SI/production solutions in HPC Linux environments.
• Work with LLMs, RAG architectures, embeddings, and vector databases.
• Create, configure, and manage Kubernetes resources (Deployments, Services, ConfigMaps, Secrets, Ingresses).
• Develop containerized applications and Helm charts for orchestration and deployment.

Skills

Python

Linux CLI

Kubernetes

Helm

CI/CD

Docker/Podman

Git

DevSecOps

Observability (Prometheus/Grafana)

Vector DBs/Embedding models

LLMs/RAG

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science or related discipline

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline

Tools

Docker

Podman

Kubernetes

Helm

GitLab CI/CD

Flux CD

Git

Prometheus

Grafana

Job description

Build to something to be proud of.

Captivation has built a reputation on providing customers exactly what is needed in a timely manner. Our team of engineers take pride in what they develop and constantly innovate to provide the best solution. Captivation is looking for software developers who can get stuff done while making a difference in support of the mission to protect our country.

Description

Captivation Software is looking for a senior level software engineer who shall design, develop, deploy, and support solutions within a high-performance computing (HPC) Linux environment. The successful candidate will have hands-on experience with Large Language Models (LLMs), LLM orchestration frameworks, knowledge retrieval systems, embedding models, and containerized applications. Candidates must be proficient in Python, Kubernetes, Helm, CI/CD automation, and secure SI system development, with the ability to deliver scalable, production-ready SI solutions in mission-critical environments.

Requirements

Security Clearance:

• Must currently hold a Top Secret/SCI U.S. Government security clearance with a favorable Polygraph, therefore all candidates must be a U.S. citizen

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Computer Science or related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus five (5) years of experience as a SWE, in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus seven (7) years of experience as a SWE, in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity
• Nine (9) years of experience as a SWE, in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience working in Linux environments, including advanced use of the Linux command-line interface (CLI) for development, troubleshooting, and system administration
• Recent hands-on software development experience using Python, with a strong understanding of modern software engineering practices and frameworks
• Experience with containerization technologies, such as Docker, Podman, and containers, for application packaging, deployment, and lifecycle management
• Experience designing, authoring, and deploying Helm charts to manage Kubernetes-based applications and services
• Experience developing, testing, deploying, and supporting containerized applications in production environments
• Experience creating, configuring, and managing Kubernetes resources, including Deployments, Services, ConfigMaps, Secrets, Ingresses, and Operators
• Working knowledge of Generative SI technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures, embedding models, and vector databases
• Experience implementing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines using tools such as GitLab CI/CD, Flux CD, GitLab Runners or similar tools
• Experience leveraging observability, metrics, logging, and monitoring solutions including Prometheus and Grafana
• Proficiency with Git-based source control workflows, including branching strategies, code reviews, pull/merge requests, and collaborative development practices
• Understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) best practices, including automated testing, security scanning, code quality analysis, and DevSecOps principles

Desired Skills:

• Familiar with developing, deploying, troubleshooting, and sustaining mission applications in an AWS Cloud environment
• Experience with the Atlassian suite of tools including Confluence and Jira
• Experience working with, and debugging, GPU-enabled applications
• Experience using a machine-learning framework (PyTorch, TensorFlow, etc)
• Experience with other ML pipelines/frameworks like KubeFlow, NeMo, PyTorch Lightning, etc.
• Experience working with and debugging GPU-enabled applications
• Experience with SQL, Elasticsearch, and Vector databases
• Knowledge of SI inferencing solutions such as Nvidia NIM/TRITON, vLLM, and direct deployment (e.g. Ray)

This position is open for direct hires only. We will not consider candidates from third party staffing/recruiting firms.

Benefits

• Annual Salary: $130,000 - $270,000 (Depends on the Years of Experience)
• Up to 20% 401k contribution (No Matching Required and Vested from Day 1)
• Above Market Hourly Rates
• $3,600 HSA Contribution
• 6 Weeks Paid Time Off
• Company Paid Employee Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance/Life Insurance/Short-Term & Long-Term Disability/AD&D