Kubernetes Engineer (Mid–Senior) | DoD Platform Engineering

Kubernetes Engineer (Mid–Senior) | DoD Platform Engineering

Remote
U.S. Citizenship Required | Ability to Obtain a DoD Secret Clearance

Build Kubernetes Platforms That Engineering Teams Depend On

Rackner is hiring Kubernetes Engineers across Mid and Senior levels to help build, extend, and operate cloud-native platforms supporting complex federal missions.

You’ll work hands-on with Kubernetes, Helm, Go, cloud infrastructure, GitOps, and the broader Kubernetes ecosystem; building and improving reusable platform capabilities that engineering teams can depend on.

This is a role for engineers who want to stay close to the code and platform while taking meaningful ownership of how complex Kubernetes-based systems are understood, integrated, automated, secured, and improved.

We’ll align level based on the scope, technical depth, judgment, and ownership demonstrated in your work, rather than title alone.

What You’ll Lead and Build

• Design, build, and operate secure, resilient Kubernetes platforms
• Develop and extend platform capabilities using Go
• Build, maintain, and operate reusable Helm-based deployment patterns
• Work within established platforms and shared codebases to understand dependencies and improve existing capabilities
• Integrate Kubernetes components, cloud services, infrastructure, security controls, and delivery tooling into reliable end-to-end platforms
• Improve platform delivery through GitOps, CI/CD, automation, and Infrastructure as Code
• Troubleshoot complex issues across Kubernetes, Linux, networking, cloud infrastructure, and application/platform boundaries
• Evaluate technical tradeoffs and contribute to platform architecture and lifecycle decisions
• Partner with software, cloud, security, and platform engineers to solve cross-system technical problems
• Strengthen platform reliability, maintainability, security, and operational readiness

Senior engineers may also guide broader technical decisions, lead implementation efforts, influence platform direction, and support the growth of other engineers while remaining hands-on.

What You’ll Bring

• Deep hands-on background building, operating, extending, or improving Kubernetes environments
• Strong proficiency with Helm and Kubernetes deployment patterns
• Hands-on ability to write and maintain Go code
• Strong knowledge of the broader Kubernetes ecosystem
• Experience working across multiple platform components and technical dependencies
• Ability to understand and contribute to established platforms, shared repositories, or existing engineering systems
• Solid understanding of Linux, networking, containers, and Kubernetes architecture
• Familiarity with cloud Kubernetes environments such as AWS/EKS, Azure/AKS, GCP/GKE, OCI, or similar
• Ability to independently diagnose complex technical problems and work through ambiguity
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance

Mid-level engineers will generally bring roughly 3–5 years of relevant engineering experience. Senior engineers will typically bring 5–7+ years with broader platform ownership, technical decision-making, architecture, or engineering influence.

Standout Background

Additional value may come from:

• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or willingness to pursue certification if needed
• Istio or other service-mesh technologies
• Kubernetes Operators, Controllers, CRDs, or Admission Controllers
• Experience contributing to shared, internal, or open-source codebases
• Edge, air-gapped, disconnected, or otherwise constrained deployment environments
• Infrastructure as Code, GitOps, and platform automation
• Production platforms supporting multiple engineering teams or 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

• Company-supported certifications aligned with current and future program work
• Career-development and leadership opportunities
• 401(k) with 100% match up to 6%
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Home-office equipment and remote-work support
• Fitness and wellness reimbursement
• Weekly pay and team events

Equal Opportunity
Use the same standard Rackner Equal Opportunity statement already used on the Senior Data Engineer posting.