Sr. Platform Operations Engineer, DevOps | TS Cleared

Trace3 Gov; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) Match

Training & Development

Office snacks

Work-life balance

Generous PTO

Job summary

Trace3 Gov is seeking a Sr. Platform Operations Engineer, DevOps, to support Space Programs within a Rapid Deployment Team.

You will deploy, integrate, operate, and sustain mission-critical systems in classified environments, focusing on OpenShift, Rundeck automation, and security compliance. You will serve as a technical escalation point during operations, coordinating across compute, network, storage, and platform layers while mentoring engineers in real-time.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance required with ability to maintain; SCI preferred.
• Hands-on OpenShift platform operations, Linux/Windows administration, and automation tools such as Ansible, Puppet and Rundeck.
• Strong troubleshooting across distributed systems and infrastructure layers.
• Experience with security compliance, hardening, audit readiness in mission-critical environments.
• Excellent communication to coordinate across operations, cybersecurity, and program teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee deployment and lifecycle management of OpenShift environments in classified networks.
• Ensure platform reliability and integration with mission apps and services.
• Design and run Rundeck runbooks for deployment workflows and incident response.
• Maintain repeatable, auditable automation across systems.
• Provide hands-on Linux/Windows support including patching and lifecycle upkeep.
• Act as senior escalation point during outages and deployment failures.
• Coordinate resolution with infrastructure, cybersecurity, networking, and program stakeholders.

Skills

Top Secret clearance

OpenShift ops

Linux/Windows admin

Rundeck automation

Ansible

Puppet

Rundeck workflows

Security/compliance

Stakeholder comms

5+ years infra experience

Tools

OpenShift

Ansible

Puppet

Rundeck

Job description

Who is Trace3?

Trace3 is a leading Transformative IT Authority, providing unique technology solutions and consulting services to our clients. Equipped with elite engineering and dynamic innovation, we empower IT executives and their organizations to achieve competitive advantage through a process of Integrate, Automate, Innovate.

Our culture at Trace3 embodies the spirit of a startup with the advantage of a scalable business. Employees can grow their career and have fun while doing it!

Trace3 is headquartered in Irvine, California. We employ more than 1,200 people all over the United States. Our major field office locations include Denver, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, Lexington, Los Angeles, Louisville, Texas, San Francisco.

Ready to discover the possibilities that live in technology?

Come Join Us!

Street-Smart-Thriving in Dynamic Times

We are flexible and resilient in a fast-changing environment. We continuously innovate and drive constructive change while keeping a focus on the “big picture.” We exercise sound business judgment in making high-quality decisions in a timely and cost-effective manner. We are highly creative and can dig deep within ourselves to find positive solutions to different problems.

Juice -The “Stuff” it takes to be a Needle Mover

We get things done and drive results. We lead without a title, empowering others through a can-do attitude. We look forward to the goal, mentallymapping outevery checkpoint on the pathway to success, and visualizing what the final destination looks and feels like.

Teamwork - Humble, Hungry and Smart

We are humble individuals who understand how our job impacts the company's mission. We treat others with respect, admit mistakes, give credit where it’s due and demonstrate transparency. We “bring the weather” by exhibiting positive leadership and solution-focused thinking. We hug people in their trials, struggles, and failures – not just their success. We appreciate the individuality of the people around us.

This position is on site in either Littleton, CO, Denver, CO, or King of Prussia, PA -- This role can be a direct hire/full time position, or a W2 hourly role depending on preference

JOB SUMMARY:

The Sr. Platform Operations Engineer, DevOps is a senior technical role supporting Space Programs within a Rapid Deployment Team. This position is responsible for the deployment, integration, operation, and sustainment of mission-critical systems across classified environments.

This role operates at the intersection of OpenShift platform operations, Rundeck-based operational automation, and conventional system administration with security compliance responsibilities. The position emphasizes hands-on execution across deployments, system stabilization, incident recovery, and infrastructure integration.

This individual contributor role serves as a primary technical escalation point during operational events, coordinating resolution efforts across multiple domains and mission stakeholders in a high-tempo environment requiring strong troubleshooting across compute, network, storage, and platform layers.

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Oversee deployment, configuration, lifecycle management, and sustainment of OpenShift environments within classified networks.
• Ensure platform reliability, availability, and integration with mission applications and infrastructure services.
• Design, maintain, and execute Rundeck runbooks to enable deployment workflows, system administration tasks, and incident response procedures.
• Ensure operational automation is consistent, repeatable, and auditable.
• Provide hands-on operational expertise for Linux and Windows environments, including configuration management, patching, troubleshooting, and lifecycle upkeep.
• Act as a senior escalation point for outages, deployment failures, and platform instability.
• Conduct root-cause analysis across infrastructure layers and restore mission capability under time-sensitive conditions.
• Maintain adherence to security controls, compliance frameworks, configuration standards, and accreditation requirements across classified environments.
• Resolve complex issues spanning networking, storage, operating systems, and platform services across enterprise infrastructure.
• Coordinate resolution activities across infrastructure, cybersecurity, networking, system administration, and program stakeholders during deployments, incidents, and recovery efforts.
• Remove blockers, align execution paths, and provide hands-on guidance and informal mentorship to engineers during active operations to improve team effectiveness in real time.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Active Top Secret clearance with the ability to maintain clearance eligibility throughout employment; SCI preferred.
• Hands-on experience supporting OpenShift platform operations, Linux and/or Windows administration, and operational automation tools such as Ansible, Puppet and Rundeck.
• Strong troubleshooting capability across distributed systems and infrastructure layers including compute, network, storage, and platform services.
• Experience supporting security compliance, system hardening, audit readiness, and mission-critical operational environments.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to operate across operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and program teams in high-pressure environments.
• 5+ years of experience in infrastructure engineering, platform operations, system administration, or operational support within enterprise or classified environments.
• Experience developing and maintaining Rundeck workflows for operational automation and incident response.
• Strong understanding of enterprise infrastructure technologies including networking such as routing, switching, DNS, and load balancing.
• Strong understanding of storage systems such as SAN/NAS, replication, backup, and recovery.
• Experience serving as a technical anchor during deployment events or major operational incidents, including providing informal guidance and mentorship to supporting engineers.
• Certifications such as Security+, RHCSA/RHCE, CISSP, or Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA).
• Experience supporting enterprise-scale modernization initiatives such as 1LMX or similar transformation programs.

This position is performed within a **secure, classified workspace**. Employees must comply with all applicable security protocols and access control procedures, including restrictions on personal electronic devices and the handling of sensitive information.

Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors, including location, experience, skill set, performance, licensure and certification, and business needs. The range for this position in other geographic locations may differ. Certain positions may also be eligible for variable incentive compensation, such as bonuses or commissions, that is not included in the base salary.

Estimated Pay Range

$120,000 — $135,000 USD

The Perks

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans for you and your dependents
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match, 529 College Savings Plan, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability
• Competitive Compensation
• Training and development programs
• Major offices stocked with snacks and beverages
• Collaborative and cool culture
• Work-life balance and generous paid time off

Our Commitment

At the core of Trace3's DNA is our people. We are a diverse group of talented individuals who understand the importance of teamwork and demonstrating leadership, character, and passion in all that we do.

We’re committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to grow. We recognize that embracing diversity drives innovation, improves outcomes, fostering collaboration, boosts teammate satisfaction, and builds a more inclusive culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Trace3 bases all employment decisions based on individual qualifications, merit, and business requirements. We do not engage in discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Any demographic information provided is strictly voluntary, kept confidential in accordance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations, and will not be used in employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, or mentorship programs. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process or participate in an interview, please email [e-mail].