DevcOps Engineer - TS/SCI required

ARS is seeking an experienced DevOps Engineer to support a classified secure cloud platform delivery effort for a U.S. Navy customer. This role is focused on deploying and configuring the Arkloud Platform across multiple Government-furnished cloud enclaves spanning IL5, IL6, and TS classification tiers. The engineer will leverage Azure cloud services, Kubernetes-based orchestration, and Salt-based configuration management to deliver a secure, standardized platform environment enabling mission teams to onboard and operate effectively. This is a hands-on engineering role requiring demonstrated experience in classified environments, the ability to contribute independently from day one, and the discipline to produce thorough documentation in support of formal platform delivery. An active TS/SCI clearance is required at time of hire.

Why Work with us? 

Applied Research Solutions (ARS) is respected as a world-class provider of technically integrated solutions as we deliver premier talent and technology across our focused markets for unparalleled, continuous mission support. Awarded a Best Places to Work nominee since 2020, ARS recognizes that without our career- driven, loyal professionals, we would not be able to deliver state-of-the-art results for our mission partners. We firmly believe that prioritizing our employees is of the upmost importance. We provide a culture where our employees are challenged to meet their career goals and aspirations, while still obtaining a work/life balance. ARS employees are motivated through our industry competitive benefits package, our awards and recognition program, and personalized attention from ARS Senior Managers.  

Responsibilities include:

Platform Deployment & Configuration

• Deploy and configure the Arkloud Platform into Government-provided cloud enclaves across IL5, IL6, and TS environment tiers.
• Provision and manage Azure infrastructure resources — including Virtual Machines, Key Vaults, AKS clusters, and storage — within authorized enclave boundaries.
• Implement and manage Kubernetes-based workloads and container orchestration across classification tiers using Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS).
• Implement Salt-based configuration management to enable dynamic VM provisioning, drift remediation, and consistent baseline enforcement across all enclave tiers.
• Deploy and integrate required infrastructure components, hosted software, and platform integrations within approved enclave boundaries.
• Establish OS hardening and software baselines per applicable STIGs across all delivered systems and environment tiers.
• Develop and maintain Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Bicep, Terraform, or equivalent tooling to support repeatable, configuration-controlled deployments.
• Ensure all deployed components meet enclave-specific security requirements and applicable STIG baselines.

Documentation & Delivery

• Produce engineering-quality delivery documentation including deployment guides, configuration baselines, and integration instructions suitable for classified Government review.
• Maintain code and configuration artifacts in a Git repository with clear, structured documentation supporting Government acceptance and knowledge transfer.
• Coordinate with Developer and ISSE team members on integration, issue resolution, and cross-discipline delivery activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/ Technical Experience Requirements:

• US citizenship required.
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility is required at time of hire; interim clearances are not accepted.
• Active Security+ certification (DoD 8140 compliant).
• 5–7 years of demonstrated hands-on experience in DevOps, platform engineering, or cloud infrastructure roles.
• Hands-on Azure experience including VM management, AKS, Key Vault, storage, and Azure Pipelines or equivalent CI/CD tooling.
• Demonstrated experience with Kubernetes — cluster management, Helm charts, container orchestration, and workload deployment in classified or restricted environments.
• Hands-on SaltStack experience in production environments including dynamic VM provisioning and configuration drift remediation.
• Demonstrated experience deploying and hardening systems to STIG compliance across multiple OS and application types.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code tooling (Bicep, Terraform, or equivalent) in a DoD or classified cloud environment.
• Direct experience working in classified or air-gapped environments (SCIF access, air-gapped networks, offline tooling).
• Ability to produce clear, structured technical documentation suitable for classified platform delivery and Government review.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field OR equivalent experience demonstrating the required technical competencies.

All positions at Applied Research Solutions are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability, and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans, and requires affirmative action by covered contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.

All positions at Applied Research Solutions are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability, and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans, and requires affirmative action by covered contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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