Kubernetes Engineer (Mid–Senior) | DoD Platform Engineering

~$129,171 - $239,888Market Estimate

Remote

Full-Time

Senior (7+ yrs)

Engineering & Development

Posted on October 6, 2026

Kubernetes Engineer (Mid–Senior) | DoD Platform Engineering

Ability to Obtain a DoD Secret Clearance

Build Secure Kubernetes Platforms That Engineering Teams Depend On
Rackner is hiring Kubernetes Engineers across Mid and Senior levels to help design, automate, secure, and operate cloud-native platforms supporting a mission-focused DoD environment.

You’ll work hands-on across Kubernetes, cloud infrastructure, GitOps, service mesh, networking, security, and Infrastructure as Code—building reliable platform capabilities that development teams can use at scale.

We’re hiring multiple engineers and will align level based on the scope, technical depth, and ownership demonstrated in your work, rather than title alone.

What You’ll Lead and Build

Design, build, and operate secure, resilient Kubernetes platforms
Automate infrastructure and platform configuration using Terraform, Ansible, Helm, and Infrastructure as Code
Build and improve GitOps and CI/CD workflows
Implement Kubernetes networking, RBAC, security controls, and service-to-service communication
Engineer and support Istio/service-mesh capabilities
Build reusable platform components, including Helm charts, Operators, Controllers, CRDs, and Admission Controllers
Integrate Kubernetes with cloud services, container registries, and delivery pipelines
Troubleshoot complex issues across Kubernetes, Linux, networking, containers, and cloud infrastructure
Strengthen platform reliability, security, performance, and recovery
Partner with application, cloud, security, and architecture teams to turn requirements into working platform capabilities

Senior engineers may also guide larger technical decisions, lead implementation efforts, and help other engineers grow while remaining hands-on.

What You’ll Bring

Hands-on background building, operating, or supporting Kubernetes environments
Strong knowledge of Linux, networking, containers, and Kubernetes architecture
Proficiency with Helm and Infrastructure as Code
Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS/EKS, Azure/AKS, GCP/GKE, OCI, or similar
Practical use of GitOps, CI/CD, and automated deployment workflows
Knowledge of Kubernetes security, access controls, and RBAC
Ability to independently diagnose and solve issues across multiple layers of a platform
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance

For Mid-level engineers, we’re generally looking for roughly 3–5 years of relevant engineering experience. Senior engineers will typically bring 5–7+ years with broader platform ownership, architecture, or technical leadership.

We care most about what you have built, operated, improved, and solved.

Standout Background
Additional value may come from:

Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
Deep experience with Istio or service mesh
Custom Kubernetes Operators, Controllers, CRDs, or Admission Controllers
DoD Enterprise DevSecOps Reference Design experience
Software development, scripting, or platform automation background
Experience supporting production platforms with active end users
DoD, federal, regulated, or security-focused engineering environments

Why Rackner
At Rackner, you’ll work on technology tied directly to complex federal missions while remaining close to the engineering.

This role offers the opportunity to build rather than simply maintain: own meaningful platform capabilities, solve problems across cloud and security boundaries, influence technical decisions, and expand your scope without stepping away from hands-on engineering.

Our teams work across cloud, DevSecOps, AI/ML, data, and modern software engineering, creating opportunities to broaden your technical perspective as programs and challenges evolve.

Benefits & Perks