Role Summary

As a DevOps Platform Engineer at Skyward Federal, you will be a crucial part of our Platform team, specializing in deploying and managing air-gapped environments using Kubernetes. Your primary focus will be on leveraging AWS cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes orchestration, and Terraform for Infrastructure-as-Code. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure secure, efficient, and scalable deployments, playing a key role in optimizing our secure data applications and supporting national security initiatives.

Skyward Federal is a provider of multi-domain DevSecOps solutions and secure data applications, primarily serving clients within the Department of Defense. Our mission is to deliver advanced, reliable, and secure technology solutions that support critical defense operations. At Skyward Federal, we challenge the status quo by addressing complex problems that others cannot solve, ensuring our solutions have a meaningful and lasting impact on our clients' missions. Our start-up environment is dynamic and collaborative, fostering innovation and teamwork. We prioritize the development and well-being of our employees, knowing that our success is driven by the talent and dedication of our people.

Key Objectives

Objective #1: Optimize Kubernetes Deployments

• Deploy and manage workloads using Kubernetes, focusing on AWS EKS.
• Create and deploy Helm charts for various applications.
• Use common Kubernetes tools (Helm, Kubectl, etc.) to streamline deployment processes.

Objective #2: Develop and Manage Infrastructure-as-Code

• Write Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) modules from scratch using Terraform.
• Manage and maintain IaC repositories with Git, ensuring best practices in version control.
• Decompose requirements to create scalable and reusable IaC modules.

Objective #3: Enhance CI/CD Pipeline

• Build, maintain, and troubleshoot CI/CD environments and pipelines (Gitlab, Jenkins, Argo).
• Integrate container registries and testing tools (SonarQube, Prisma Cloud) into CI/CD pipelines.
• Ensure secure and efficient deployment processes in air-gapped environments.

Objective #4: Ensure Compliance and Security

• Automate system hardening to satisfy STIG, SRG, and RMF requirements.
• Deliver Identity Management services using Keycloak or similar tools.
• Work comfortably within regulatory, compliance, and risk-based security requirements.

Objective #5: Foster Team Collaboration and Communication

• Communicate effectively with development teams, technical staff, and project leads.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to a collaborative work environment.
• Support team members in overcoming technical challenges and achieving project goals.

Additional Requirements

• This position requires US citizenship.
• An active Top Secret Clearance and the ability to be clearable to TS/SCI; preference for active TS/SCI clearance.
• Hybrid work environment in greater Colorado Springs, CO with in-office visits likely once to twice a week.
• Some corporate travel (fully reimbursed) may be required on an as-needed basis.

Compensation and Benefits

• Targeted Compensation:  $165-180K
• Skyward Federal Benefits:
  • 10% dollar-for-dollar 401K match, fully vested on day one.
  • 100% company-paid premiums for health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
  • 100% company-paid premiums for short and long term disability insurance.
  • 100% company-paid life insurance policy.
  • 4 weeks of paid time off, accrued annually.
  • 11 federal holidays, plus a bonus “Skyward Holiday” here and there.
  • Unlimited sick leave; PTO is for travel, projects, fun—not being miserable.
  • Annual educational and training budget.
  • Awesome equipment (MacBook Pro) plus a home office set-up budget.
  • Monthly coffee budget to keep you fueled for success.