Systems & Platform Engineer - TS/SCI with Security Clearance

SUNAYU; Chevy Chase (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 Medical Plan Options

Dental and Vision

FSA, DCFSA, HSA

Life/AD&D Insurance

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Training and Educational Assistance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

11 Federal holidays

401k plan with up to a 6% match (100%‑

Job summary

Sunayu, LLC is seeking a highly skilled Platform Engineer to design and optimize enterprise Kubernetes clusters powering AI workloads at a DoD-related site in Bethesda. The role requires hands-on experience with Linux, Docker, cluster management, and AI/ML workflow orchestration tools.

You will work onsite at the Intelligence Community Campus and support security compliance and ATO processes. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in platform/system engineering, DoD readiness, and certifications such

Qualifications

• DoD 8570.11 IAT Level II/III cert requirements (Security+ CE, CCNA-Security, GICSP, GSEC, SSCP; CASP+, CCNP Security, CISA, CISSP, GCED, GCIH, CCSP also acceptable)
• US Citizenship required due to government contracts
• Bachelor's or higher degree in CS/EE or related field; equivalent experience considered
• 5+ years in Platform or System Engineering
• Strong Linux expertise (RHEL/Ubuntu/Oracle Linux/Rocky)
• Experience managing Kubernetes clusters and container lifecycles
• Experience with NVIDIA GPU data center platforms and enterprise tools
• Experience with AWS, IaC, and GitLab CI/CD
• Ability to obtain/maintain security clearance

Responsibilities

• Kubernetes Cluster Engineering: Design, configure, and maintain enterprise Kubernetes platforms.
• Infrastructure as Code: Develop IaC using Terraform, Salt, Ansible, Bash, Python.
• Collaborate with development teams to design secure, automated pipelines (GitLab CI/CD).
• Troubleshoot complex systems across cloud, network, and platform layers.
• Compliance & Documentation: Maintain docs and support ATO; ensure federal security standards.

Skills

5+ years in Platform Engineering

Linux expertise

Kubernetes administration

Docker experience

AI/ML workflow orchestration

RESTful APIs

Team collaboration

Education

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

Tools

Terraform

Salt

Ansible

Bash

Python

GitLab CI/CD

NVIDIA Base Command Manager

Run:AI

NVIDIA AI Enterprise

AWS

Slurm

Open MPI

Job description

Job Overview

Sunayu, LLC 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.
• 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.)
• 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.

Who We Are

Sunayu, LLC serves as a premier technology partner to the Defense and Intelligence communities, delivering mission-critical engineering solutions across the nation. Our operations are anchored in a commitment to trust, accountability, and ethical transparency, ensuring the high-performance outcomes necessary to protect our country's most vital interests.

Culture

Our strength lies in our community: Our team prioritizes collaboration, professional growth, and encourages open communication. At Sunayu, we don't just secure the mission—we grow together.

Career Development

We support and encourage our team members to continue their professional growth by providing company-reimbursed training and continuing education of up to $5,000 per year. We also participate in many industry conferences and events where we share our expertise and experiences.

Pay Rate

Salary range considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.

Benefits

• 3 Medical Plan Options
• Dental and Vision
• FSA, DCFSA, HSA
• Life/AD&D Insurance
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Training and Educational Assistance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Federal holidays
• 401k plan with up to a 6% match (100% immediate vesting)

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, marital status, genetic information, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.