Platform Engineer

About Defense Unicorns: Defense Unicorns is a premier, mission-driven software engineering house, technology advisor, and specialized federal contractor dedicated to transforming how secure software systems are delivered across the U.S. government. Composed of veteran technologists, software architects, and national security experts, Defense Unicorns delivers cloud-agnostic solutions that consolidate automated security pipelines, continuous testing frameworks, and advanced container orchestration. By simplifying how civil and defense agencies buy, configure, and integrate leading-edge open-source software, Defense Unicorns accelerates software delivery velocity for critical missions without compromising on rigorous national data security requirements.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly analytical, security-focused Platform Engineer to join our core Engineering cell in a full-time remote capacity within the United States. In this highly secure platform architecture seat, you will serve as the essential link between application development groups and our runtime production environment, ensuring that custom configurations, COTS, and open-source software (OSS) components deploy smoothly. Moving past basic virtualization models, you will claim hands-on ownership of infrastructure automation, container instrumentation, and DevSecOps tooling within a Department of Defense (DoD) framework. This position demands a self-directed systems thinker who possesses a valid Secret Security Clearance, understands the technical constraints of operating an Authority to Operate (ATO’d) platform, and can independently resolve complex system problems.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Environment Automation: Design, automate, and maintain secure, cloud-native runtime production environments leveraging advanced container orchestration layers.
• Kubernetes Cluster Lifecycle Management: Implement and support production-grade Kubernetes clusters, managing container orchestration, networking interfaces, and cluster ingress rules via CNCF projects.
• Declarative Infrastructure Provisioning: Author and manage modular, reusable Infrastructure as Code (IaC) deployments natively utilizing Terraform or Pulumi across secure multi-cloud environments (AWS, GCP, Azure).
• Application-to-Platform Bridging: Own the core configuration bridge between application developers and high-security deployment zones, optimizing packages using YAML, Helm, and Kustomize templates.
• DevSecOps Pipeline Integration: Construct and refine automated continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, implementing embedded software vulnerability testing rules.
• Platform Security Automation: Enforce strict security baseline configurations, implementing robust controls across API Security, Container Registry Security, and Cloud Architecture patterns.
• Systems Coding & Scripting Automation: Code system integration scripts, configuration components, and environment macros natively using Python, Go, or Ansible alongside shell scripting.
• Tasking Validation & Auditing: Independently validate platform solutions against outlined tasks and military compliance baselines to preserve system runtime stability and performance instrumentation.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Proven professional software infrastructure history running platform engineering, DevOps pipeline automation, site reliability engineering (SRE), or cloud configuration.
• Deep, practical technical command operating and fine-tuning cloud-native environments built on Kubernetes, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), AWS, and Docker Containers.
• Demonstrated experience designing declarative automation layouts using **YAML**, Helm charts, and value stream mapping frameworks.
• Strong programming and configuration scripting literacy, with functional proficiency in at least one enterprise automation language, such as Python, Go, or Ansible.
• Security Clearance Constraint: Possession of an active, verifiable **U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance** is strictly mandated prior to onboarding.
• Professional Compliance Badging: Active holding of a valid **DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification** (e.g., Security+ CE or equivalent qualification).
• Federal Department Domain History: Direct professional experience working on Department of Defense (DoD) programs, specifically managing or developing production systems maintaining an active **Authority to Operate (ATO)**.
• Location Context: Full-time operational parameters open exclusively to qualified platform engineers permanently residing anywhere within the United States, with an active availability for 10% to 25% tactical travel.

Preferred Strategic Indicators (Nice to Have)

• Prior experience supporting cloud migrations, data partitioning setups, or telemetry instrumentation inside highly complex, isolated enterprise networks.
• Familiarity with GitOps deployment theory, progressive delivery concepts, or open-source CNCF package governance models.
• Familiarity working within highly agile, remote engineering squads focused on public sector cloud modernization.

What We Offer

• The exceptional professional canvas to directly code, architect, and deliver secure platform systems that advance freedom and national security globally.
• Highly competitive compensation metrics paired with an inclusive culture that values operational speed, absolute code quality, and individual ownership.
• Profound work-from-home remote parameters providing an elite level of personal lifestyle autonomy, home office equipment budgets, and complete geographic flexibility inside the US.
• Premium Health Care Coverage: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums for you and your eligible dependents, plus a dedicated Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Immediate corporate 401(k) retirement plan integration, company stock option plans, short-term and long-term disability protection, and paid parental leaves.
• Elite Government Leave Allocations: Benefit from a highly supportive leave structure featuring Flexible Time Off (FTO) alongside all official Federal Holidays, an entire week off for Thanksgiving, and two full weeks off for Christmas and New Year’s.
• Continuous professional development through complete company reimbursement for approved technical trainings, platform subscriptions, and global technology conference fees.