Role Description:
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Platform Engineer with strong multi-platform Infrastructure-as-Code proficiency to join our Federal Engineering team. This role involves managing Unified Defense Stack (UDS) deployments, generating training documentation, and training system integrators on our software tools. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cross-functional relationship management, technical expertise, demonstrating a strong understanding of system architecture, and a passion for helping mission heroes (what we call our customers) achieve their goals with the UDS platform.
Responsibilities:
- Support Kubernetes-based deployments in both on-prem and cloud infrastructure, ensuring platform components operate reliably across hybrid environments.
- Implement and manage storage services across AWS and on-premises environments, including persistent storage decoupled from ephemeral VMs, backup and recovery, and cross-environment data synchronization.
- Support networking, identity, and security controls across hybrid environments, including integration with IAM solutions (e.g., Keycloak, AWS IAM).
- Demonstrate the ability to identify and solve business problems independently. Develop small components to address specific challenges without relying on explicit architecture diagrams.
- Provide grounded time and effort estimates for medium-sized tasks. Assist in project planning and resource allocation based on estimated timelines.
- Build and maintain automated pipeline functions, leading teams towards delivery and sustainment options.
- Contribute to the build and maintenance of our cloud infrastructure as well as our Enterprise IaC modules.
- Adhere to SLA commitments, including on-call support for critical UDS issues in customer environments.
- Serve as the primary technical interface for System Integrators and mission heroes, providing guidance, troubleshooting, and resolution of complex UDS issues.
The listed responsibilities are not exhaustive and additional responsibilities may be assigned based on the evolving needs of the organization. We are seeking a dynamic individual who is able to adapt and take on new responsibilities as they arise.
Preferred Experience and Qualifications:
- Active Secret Clearance (or ability to obtain one).
- Proven experience as a Platform Engineer or similar role, with a focus on cloud infrastructure (i.e. AWS, Azure, GCP) and Infrastructure as Code (i.e. Terraform/OpenTofu, Spacelift).
- Demonstrated experience with cloud-native technologies such as Kubernetes, and Docker.
- Hands-on experience with AWS storage services (S3, EBS, EFS, FSx) and familiarity with on-premises storage systems (e.g., NFS, SAN/NAS, Ceph), including experience with persistent storage in ephemeral or non-persistent compute environments.
- Experience architecting and maintaining hybrid cloud/on-prem environments.
- Strong knowledge of hybrid cloud architectures, including networking, RBAC, and storage for cloud and on-prem clusters.
- Experienced in working on a team following an Agile framework in a remote environment.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Travel Expectations: 5-10%
Full compensation packages are based on candidate experience. Compensation ranges are established using national benchmarking data and apply across all geographic locations within the United States.
Defense Unicorns delivers mission value by streamlining software delivery so our customers can focus on the most important challenges. We share a vision of freedom and security for the advancement of progress and innovation. Our commitment to this vision, and to our mission-driven customers, means a commitment to speed, user experience and optionality, without compromising security. Our team is composed of innovators, software engineers, and veterans with decades of experience delivering technology programs across the federal market.
What We DoWe create and deliver secure solutions for continuous software integration and delivery. Defense Unicorns consolidates the best practices for security pipelines, testing, and deployment automation in order to meet the high security requirements valued by mission owners. Our solutions are agnostic by design and we believe that growing a robust ecosystem of secure, cloud-native software solutions can help enterprise customers inside and outside the federal market buy and integrate software more easily.
Who We ServeDefense Unicorns’ customers are mission-focused leaders across public and private enterprises. We proudly support defense and civil agencies across the U.S. government and we work closely with the creators of leading-edge software solutions to deliver value to the mission-owner by improving the security and consumability of commercial software products.
What We Work On- Kubernetes
- Cloud Environments (AWS/GCP and Azure)
- Infrastructure-as-code (like Terraform/Pulumi)
- Continuous Delivery and automation tooling
- GitOps
- Containers
- CNCF projects and open source products and packages
- Helm/Kustomize-Value Stream Mapping
- Building and improving security delivery
- Building Kubernetes and cloud native applications
- Medical/Dental/Vision
- Premiums are 100% Company Paid
- Health Savings Account
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- 401k Retirement Plan
- Company Stock Options
- Home Office Budget
- We offer all full-time Unicorns Flexible Time Off (FTO) plus all Federal Holidays, one week for Thanksgiving, and two weeks for Christmas and New Year’s
- Paid Parental Leave
- Reimbursement for approved trainings/subscriptions
- Conferences (travel, lodging, and fees)
Don’t have all the preferred experience or qualifications? Studies show that underrepresented groups like women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs if they don't meet every requirement listed.
At Defense Unicorns, we're committed to diversity. If you're enthusiastic about the role but don't match every criteria, we encourage you to apply. You could be the perfect fit for this or another role! Defense Unicorns is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
CCPA DISCLOSURE
Skills Required
- U.S. Citizenship
- Proven experience as a Platform Engineer or similar role
- Kubernetes and Docker (cloud-native container orchestration and runtime)
- AWS storage services (S3, EBS, EFS, FSx) and on-prem storage (NFS, SAN/NAS, Ceph) experience
- Hybrid cloud/on-prem architecture and operations experience
- Networking, identity, RBAC, and security controls integration (e.g., Keycloak, AWS IAM)
- Ability to provide on-call support and meet SLA commitments
- Infrastructure-as-Code experience (Terraform/OpenTofu, Spacelift)
- Experience with cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Experience working in Agile teams in remote environments
- Active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain one
- Strong problem-solving and communication skills
What We Do
Defense Unicorns specializes in platform technologies that enable rapid and reliable delivery of capabilities across a wide range of mission and technology areas. We support open architecture platforms for secure mission systems that provide optionality for the end user, promote scalability, and allow for continuous identification and integration of new products and services while avoiding vendor lock. Our open approach creates partnership opportunities across the software ecosystem. Our people are innovators, software engineers, and veterans with decades of experience delivering technology programs across DoD and the broader federal market. Let's drive change together. Get in touch at [email protected]
