Systems and Platform Engineer

Leidos; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 107,900 - 195,050; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

Income Protection

Paid Leave

Retirement Plan

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Platform Engineer to design, build, and operate enterprise Kubernetes platforms powering AI workloads at a customer site in Bethesda, MD. The role emphasizes Linux systems, IaC, CI/CD pipelines, and securing modern infrastructure for DoD-grade environments.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, implement Terraform/Salt/Ansible based automation, and ensure compliance with security standards, including DoD 8570.11-IAT, while maintaining robust documentation and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS, EE, or related field.
• 5+ years in Platform or Systems Engineering.
• Strong Linux experience (RHEL/Ubuntu/Oracle/Rocky).
• Experience managing Kubernetes clusters and Docker containers.
• Experience with AI/ML workflow orchestration (Argo, Airflow, Kubeflow).
• RESTful API integration and automation experience.
• DoD 8570.11 IAT Level II certification (or Level III) required.

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and maintain enterprise Kubernetes platforms.
• Develop IaC using Terraform, Salt, Ansible, Bash, and Python.
• Collaborate with development teams to implement secure CI/CD pipelines.
• Troubleshoot complex systems across cloud, network, and platform layers.
• Maintain documentation and support Authority to Operate and security compliance.

Skills

Kubernetes

Linux Systems

Terraform

Ansible

Docker

CI/CD

REST APIs

Python

IAT Certification

AI/ML workflows

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

Argo

Airflow

Kubeflow

GitLab CI/CD

Job description

Description

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. Employees enjoy career enrichment opportunities available through mobility and development, and experience rewarding relationships with supportive supervisors, talented colleagues, and customers. Your most important work is ahead.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

Leidos 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.

This is a 100% on-site position. All work must be performed at the customer site in Bethesda at the Intelligence Community Campus.

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.

You Bring

• Bachelor's or higher degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. 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).

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.)

Clearance

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph required OR active TS/SCI and willingness to obtain and maintain a Poly.


• US Citizenship is required due to the nature of the government contracts we support.

What You’ll Gain

At Leidos, your work directly supports some of the most critical missions in the intelligence community. You'll be part of a high‑performing, collaborative environment where your contributions shape national security operations. Whether optimizing secure networks, refining system baselines, or integrating next‑generation technologies, you’ll find meaningful work, continuous technical challenges, and a clear path for advancement.

At Leidos, we don’t want someone who \"fits the mold\"—we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over‑caffeinated, the ones who ask, “What’s next?” before the dust settles on “what’s now.”

If you’re already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2… good. You’ll fit right in.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting

July 23, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range

Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

• competitive compensation


• Health and Wellness programs


• Income Protection


• Paid Leave


• Retirement

More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.