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, and the broader Kubernetes ecosystem—building 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 Kubernetes capabilities are built, automated, secured, and improved.

We’ll 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
Develop and extend platform capabilities using Go
Build and maintain reusable Helm charts and Kubernetes deployment patterns
Contribute to Kubernetes-based platform capabilities and supporting open-source technologies
Improve platform delivery through automation, GitOps, CI/CD, and Infrastructure as Code
Troubleshoot complex issues across Kubernetes, Linux, networking, containers, and cloud infrastructure
Strengthen platform security, reliability, performance, and maintainability
Integrate Kubernetes with cloud services, container registries, CI/CD pipelines, and supporting tooling
Partner with software, cloud, security, and platform engineers to solve cross-system technical problems

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

What You’ll Bring

Deep hands-on background building, operating, or extending 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
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 and solve technical problems across multiple layers of a platform
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 leadership.

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

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
Infrastructure as Code, GitOps, and platform automation
Software development or platform-tooling experience
Production platforms supporting 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

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.