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.