Software Factory Engineer IV

Lever, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 137,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

Aether Aerospace seeks a Software Factory Engineer IV to design, integrate, and improve secure software factory capabilities used by mission software teams. You will connect cloud infrastructure, DevSecOps pipelines, and reusable platform services into a coherent delivery environment.

You will advise DoD programs on onboarding to Platform One, ODIN, and DAF CloudWorks, guiding complex integration decisions with DoD stakeholders while mentoring engineers and ensuring RMF/ATO compliance.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience designing and integrating shared software delivery platforms.
• Proven ability to onboard and sustain use of a software factory across multiple programs.
• Proficiency in infrastructure as code and scripting.
• Strong cloud architecture expertise in AWS or Azure.

Responsibilities

• Design and integrate software factory services spanning source control, CI/CD, artifact repositories, registries, security scanning, test automation, secrets, cloud infrastructure, and observability
• Advise programs on factory selection and onboarding, including application architecture, access and identity, environment needs, interfaces, inherited and application-specific controls, release paths, and sustainment responsibilities
• Lead technical integration of applications with established factories, including Platform One, ODIN, or DAF CloudWorks as applicable; resolve gaps between factory services and program delivery needs
• Establish reusable CI/CD templates, infrastructure-as-code modules, container baselines, deployment patterns, and platform services that scale across application teams
• Architect secure cloud and container environments, including networking, identity, secrets, storage, compute, Kubernetes, logging, and separation of environments
• Embed automated testing, SAST/DAST/SCA, SBOMs, artifact provenance, vulnerability management, and evidence collection into delivery workflows in partnership with RMF/ATO stakeholders
• Define application onboarding and self-service practices, documentation, templates, APIs, and support pathways that improve developer experience and reduce time to first deployment
• Guide artifact promotion, configuration management, deployment, monitoring, incident response, and reliability practices across development, test, and production
• Troubleshoot complex platform and toolchain issues, assess design tradeoffs, and implement changes that improve security, availability, performance, and maintainability
• Mentor engineers and application teams, share architectural patterns and lessons learned, and coordinate technical decisions with customer and cybersecurity stakeholders
• Measure platform adoption, onboarding friction, delivery performance, and operational health; use the results to prioritize improvements
• Provide technical support to operational strategies aligned within your program and initiatives that optimize processes, enhance productivity, and ensure quality across all program functions
• Ensure 100% of planned hours are worked and recorded
• Identify and forward to your leadership any opportunities that could lead to growth within your work area
• Participate in growth efforts as requested
• Ensure all contractual deliverables are met/exceeded to the customer's satisfaction
• Complete personal PDP and attend Staff Meeting and Storytime (with camera on)
• Within your program, build productive and positive professional relationships with clients
• Execute all contract requirements as assigned in accordance with the contract-specific LCAT and requirements
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Skills

DevSecOps toolchains

CI/CD patterns

Cloud architecture

Infrastructure as code

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master's degree

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

CloudFormation

Python

PowerShell

Bash

Job description

Start Date: Immediate

JHNA, CTSi, and EXPANSIA have come together to form a Defense Technology platform named Aether Aerospace focused on delivering high-impact technologies, technology-enabled services and advanced manufacturing solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and related national security customers. Backed by Falfurrias Management Partners, the platform brings together deep domainexpertiseacross Army, Navy, and Air Force and Space Force programs, digital engineering, systems integration, and specialized manufacturing capabilities.

The combined organization operates as a multi-entity aerospace and defense technology and tech-enabled services and manufacturing enterprise positioned for scalable growth, operational excellence, and long-term value creation

OVERVIEW

Full-time/Permanent Employee

Location: Remote

As a Software Factory Engineer IV, you will design, integrate, and improve secure software factory capabilities used by multiple mission software teams. You will connect cloud infrastructure, DevSecOps pipelines, development tools, cybersecurity controls, observability, and reusable platform services into a coherent delivery environment. You will advise programs on how to onboard to and use existing Department of the Air Force software factories, such as Platform One, ODIN, and DAF CloudWorks, including the technical, security, governance, and operational steps that follow initial access. Working as an emerging technical authority with considerable latitude, you will guide complex integration decisions, improve common patterns and developer experience, and partner with government and contractor stakeholders to deliver reliable, accreditable software.

RESPONSIBILTIES

• Design and integrate software factory services spanning source control, CI/CD, artifact repositories, registries, security scanning, test automation, secrets, cloud infrastructure, and observability
• Advise programs on factory selection and onboarding, including application architecture, access and identity, environment needs, interfaces, inherited and application-specific controls, release paths, and sustainment responsibilities
• Lead technical integration of applications with established factories, including Platform One, ODIN, or DAF CloudWorks as applicable; resolve gaps between factory services and program delivery needs
• Establish reusable CI/CD templates, infrastructure-as-code modules, container baselines, deployment patterns, and platform services that scale across application teams
• Architect secure cloud and container environments, including networking, identity, secrets, storage, compute, Kubernetes, logging, and separation of environments
• Embed automated testing, SAST/DAST/SCA, SBOMs, artifact provenance, vulnerability management, and evidence collection into delivery workflows in partnership with RMF/ATO stakeholders
• Define application onboarding and self-service practices, documentation, templates, APIs, and support pathways that improve developer experience and reduce time to first deployment
• Guide artifact promotion, configuration management, deployment, monitoring, incident response, and reliability practices across development, test, and production
• Troubleshoot complex platform and toolchain issues, assess design tradeoffs, and implement changes that improve security, availability, performance, and maintainability
• Mentor engineers and application teams, share architectural patterns and lessons learned, and coordinate technical decisions with customer and cybersecurity stakeholders
• Measure platform adoption, onboarding friction, delivery performance, and operational health; use the results to prioritize improvements
• Provide technical support to operational strategies aligned within your program and initiatives that optimize processes, enhance productivity, and ensure quality across all program functions
• Ensure 100% of planned hours are worked and recorded
• Identify and forward to your leadership any opportunities that could lead to growth within your work area
• Participate in growth efforts as requested
• Ensure all contractual deliverables are met/exceeded to the customer's satisfaction
• Complete personal PDP and attend Staff Meeting and Storytime (with camera on)
• Within your program, build productive and positive professional relationships with clients
• Execute all contract requirements as assigned in accordance with the contract-specific LCAT and requirements
• Perform other related duties as assigned

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

Clearance: Active TS/SCI
Education and Years of Experience: Bachelor's (or equivalent) with 8 - 10 years of experience, or a Master's with 6 - 8 years of experience in software factory engineering, DevSecOps, cloud/platform engineering, or IT operations

• Extensive experience designing and integrating shared software delivery platforms, DevSecOps toolchains, and reusable CI/CD patterns across teams
• Demonstrated experience guiding application teams through onboarding and sustained use of an established software factory, including security, access, integration, and release considerations
• Proficiency in infrastructure as code such as Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation and advanced scripting with Python, Bash, or PowerShell
• Strong cloud architecture expertise in AWS or Azure, including identity, networking, storage, compute, containers, and Kubernetes
• Hands-on knowledge of automated security controls, software supply-chain protections, observability, and RMF/ATO evidence needs in DoD delivery

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Platform One, ODIN, DAF CloudWorks, or a comparable DoD software factory from both the platform and program application perspectives
• Experience establishing standardized onboarding, self-service platform capabilities, and reusable development patterns for multiple programs
• Knowledge of hardened container baselines, SBOMs, artifact provenance, security scanning, and continuous assessment practices
• Experience with high-availability cloud architecture, networking, monitoring, and incident response
• Experience mentoring engineers and evaluating AI-assisted or agentic development workflows, including MCP integrations, in a controlled delivery environment

$137,202 - $169,345 a year

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility Aether Aerospace allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our unique mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. Employment benefits include health and wellness programs, income protection, paid leave and retirement and savings.

Aether Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.