{"id":733648,"url":"https://alion.io/job/clarityinnovates-principal-platform-engineer","title":"Principal Platform Engineer","company":{"id":673029,"name":"Clarity Innovations","domain":"clarityinnovates.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/clarityinnovates","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":85,"open_postings":13,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.615,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":23,"computed_at":"2026-10-14T06:34:16Z"}},"role":"DevOps","role_family":"DevOps","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Herndon, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":113000,"max":300000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":300000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Ansible","optional":false},{"name":"AWS","optional":false},{"name":"Azure","optional":false},{"name":"CI/CD","optional":false},{"name":"Crossplane","optional":false},{"name":"Docker","optional":false},{"name":"GitOps","optional":false},{"name":"Go","optional":false},{"name":"Grafana","optional":false},{"name":"Helm","optional":false},{"name":"Istio","optional":false},{"name":"Kubernetes","optional":false},{"name":"Kustomize","optional":false},{"name":"Podman","optional":false},{"name":"Prometheus","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"Service Mesh","optional":false},{"name":"Terraform","optional":false},{"name":"Zero Trust","optional":false},{"name":"Agile","optional":true},{"name":"Human-in-the-Loop","optional":true},{"name":"Keycloak","optional":true},{"name":"VPN","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-03T18:48:59Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-29","last_verified_at":"2026-10-14T07:03:20Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":40,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":40},"description":"Clarity Innovations is a trusted national security partner, dedicated to safeguarding our nation’s interests and delivering innovative solutions that empower the Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DoD) to transform data into actionable intelligence, ensuring mission success in an evolving world.\nOur mission-first software and data engineering platform modernizes data operations, utilizing advanced workflows, CI/CD, and secure DevSecOps practices. We focus on challenges in Information Warfare, Cyber Operations, Operational Security, and Data Structuring, enabling end-to-end solutions that drive operational impact.\nWe are committed to delivering cutting-edge tools and capabilities that address the most complex national security challenges, empowering our partners to stay ahead of emerging threats and ensuring the success of their critical missions. At Clarity, we are people-focused and set on being a destination employer for top talent, offering an environment where innovation thrives, careers grow, and individuals are valued. Join us as we continue to lead innovation and tackle the most pressing challenges in national security.\nLocation: Herndon, VA (Hybrid, 3+ days in office)\nRole\nThis position is part of a dynamic team at the forefront of implementing designs to support the next generation of cyber operations. This role requires technical versatility across the stack, from backend services to infrastructure. Above all, Engineers are driven by a “Whatever It Takes” mindset-executing in an expedient and pragmatic way while keeping the mission top-of-mind and making excellent engineering decisions to deliver successful outcomes correctly and on-time.\nResponsibilities:\nInfrastructure Engineering\nLead the design of Kubernetes and cloud-based systems (AWS/Azure).\n\nProvision and manage infrastructure as code (IaC) using tools like Terraform, Crossplane, or Ansible.\n\nManage specialized environments using tools like KIND to bridge the gap between development and operational deployment.\n\nDeploy and maintain AI workloads as appropriate to solve customer challenges.\n\nIdentify bottlenecks and optimize specific features across the stack, from service latency to resource utilization.\n\nKubernetes & Workload Orchestration\nDeploy, manage, and maintain Kubernetes across development and production environments.\n\nMonitor and optimize workloads using Helm and Kustomize to deploy microservices at scale.\n\nImplement network policies, load balancing, and service discovery using Istio Service Mesh.\n\nDevSecOps & Automation\nDesign and operate CI/CD pipelines to streamline code deployments and facilitate operational capabilities.\n\nEnsure infrastructure security through implementing FIPS encryption, Zero Trust principles, and robust identity management.\n\nRelentless Automation: Advocate for and implement robust automation to eliminate manual work and improve system reliability.\n\nOperations & Observability\nImplement and monitor system availability and security, using Prometheus and Grafana.\n\nTroubleshoot and resolve production incidents to minimize downtime, relentlessly seeking automated long-term fixes.\n\nManage recovery processes to ensure mission continuity.\n\nCollaboration & Leadership\nUnderstand high-level operational relevancy and business objectives of the technology you are implementing\n\nContribute to sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives.\n\nPromote automation practices across teams to enhance agility and performance.\n\nKnowledge Management: Create clear documentation and stay updated on latest industry trends to keep solutions cutting-edge.\n\nRequired Qualifications:\nMission-focused mindset with an emphasis on achieving cyber dominance to provide a technical advantage for the warfighter and others executing critical US national security objectives.\n\nA bias for action, ownership, and the drive to see projects through to mission completion\n\nCurrent Top Secret security clearance\n\nBachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, IT, or a related technical discipline. (Degree requirement can be met with four years of hands-on experience in an Engineering or similar full-time position.)\n\nMore than 8 years of industry experience as a Platform Engineer, Full Stack Engineer or similar role\n\nProficient with container orchestration using Kubernetes in production environments\n\nExperience with monitoring tools for Kubernetes environments, such as Prometheus\n\nExperience working with Helm charts for packaging applications\n\nAbility to collaborate as a team and execute independently\n\nThrives in a high-trust/startup, adaptable team environment\n\nExperience with CI/CD pipelines and CI/CD GitOps based deployments\n\nProficient in containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Podman)\n\nUnderstanding of Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) tools, such as Terraform\n\nExpertise with both compiled and scripting languages (Go, Python, etc)\n\nPreferred Qualifications:\nSCI eligibility\n\nExpertise in the Cyber Operations \n\nExpertise with Istio for service mesh management\n\nExperience with Rook-Ceph for storage\n\nExperience with Kubernetes operators and custom resource definitions (CRDs)\n\nExperience with DevSecOps practices and integrating security tools with Kubernetes\n\nExperience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL)\n\nExperience with OIDC (OpenID Connect) and KeyCloak\n\nFamiliarity with PLTR technologies, such as Foundry \n\nFamiliarity with Agile development practices and the Scaled Agile Framework\n\nFamiliarity with Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) utilities\n\nFamiliarity with VPN technologies such as IPSec, OpenVPN, and Wireguard\n\nFamiliarity with integrating with Cross Domain Solutions\n\nSalary Range: $113,000 - $300,000\nPay Range\nThe posted pay range reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position and is provided to give candidates a general understanding of the compensation opportunity. The actual salary offered will be determined based on the requirements of the position and a variety of job-related factors, which may include geographic location, applicable Federal Government contract labor categories and wage rates, relevant experience, skills and competencies, education, certifications, and the scope and responsibilities of the role.\nBecause this position may be performed in multiple locations and may be subject to different contract requirements, the salary ultimately offered may vary based on the applicable location and contract. The posted range is not a guarantee of a specific starting salary or an indication that an offer will be made at any particular point within the range.\nTotal Rewards\nIn addition to competitive base pay, Clarity provides a Total Rewards package designed to attract and retain exceptional professionals committed to excellence. Our benefits reflect the value we place on skilled individuals who drive our impact in critical digital missions.\nAt Clarity, a career means joining a high-performing team advancing vital work in the digital landscape. We encourage you to consider the total value of joining us-competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and resources that support your growth and impact.\nOur Total Rewards package includes performance-based bonuses, extensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan with company match, substantial paid time off and holidays, flexible work arrangements where possible, and a range of income protection benefits. We are committed to supporting your well-being, professional growth, and ability to contribute to essential digital missions.\nWe are an equal opportunity employer. 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