Innovative Defense Technologies

Automated software testing and defense cybersecurity.

Lead Infrastructure Software Engineer

Platform EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeArlington County, Arlington, VA, USA$135k - $273k

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or Math, or equivalent full-time professional experience.
At least 7 years of professional software development or deployment experience in technically rigorous environments.
High-level proficiency with container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
Experience with Kubernetes management services such as Helm or ArgoCD.
Experience with hypervisor or virtualization technologies such as VMware, KVM, or EC2.
Experience with networking in virtualized environments, including TCP/IP, DNS, load balancing, firewalls, and VLANs.
Proficiency in automation scripts and tools such as Ansible, Terraform, Puppet, or Salt, and aptitude for using AI tools such as large language models and AI coding assistants for script generation and troubleshooting.
Strong Linux skills.
High degree of competence in Bash or shell scripting.
Basic full-stack development skills, including SQL, Python or Java, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS.
Ability to shift between projects in an agile work environment.
Strong leadership capabilities and skills.
Strong documentation skills.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time as needed.
Must be able to obtain or maintain an active Secret U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

Manage formal and informal requirements to define, validate, and control project scope and complete deliverables successfully.
Support conversion of internal customer requirements into a refined vision.
Lead a team developing, implementing, and maintaining Infrastructure as Code software for automated deployment and configuration of a multi-site, multi-system microservice-based application, leveraging AI coding assistants to accelerate development.
Lead operations work deploying and maintaining multiple Kubernetes clusters in unclassified and classified, air-gapped environments, using AI solutions to improve deployment and maintenance efficiency.
Design and implement solutions that meet specified requirements.
Debug software deployment and configuration issues, identify root causes, and fix them.
Guide a team in identifying and applying emerging technologies and architectures, including evaluating cloud operations platforms such as cloud IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
Manage, mentor, and lead a small team of engineers performing operational and development tasks; promote AI-enabled workflows to optimize automation and simplify installations.
Implement and test software using multiple languages and technology stacks.
Develop software interfaces that communicate across network protocols and messaging frameworks.
Integrate software components into complex software environments.
Collaborate with colleagues and lead engineers from other disciplines.
Participate in design and code reviews and provide feedback.
Develop software using secure coding practices.
Support testing and integration activities in company labs and on-site customer labs.
Support preparation, tracking, and delivery of internal deliverables.
Assess, plan, identify, analyze, mitigate, and control risks and opportunities.

Desired Qualifications

A master's degree in Engineering or another technical field.
High-level proficiency with Kubernetes distributions such as RKE2.
Experience with distributed storage systems such as Rook/Ceph or NFS.
Experience deploying Kubernetes clusters and configuring networking, storage, and related components.
Experience with Git, Jenkins, and Artifactory.
DevSecOps experience.
Experience with at least one public cloud environment, such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure.
Experience managing and directing personnel while maintaining cost and schedule targets.
Problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate ambiguous situations.

About The Role:

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking a Lead Infrastructure Software Engineer to be part of our Warfare Systems Business Area and based out of our Arlington, VA location.

The Infrastructure Software Engineer will lead a team of Platform and Deployment Engineers to develop, implement, and maintain Infrastructure as Code software for automated deployment and configuration of a Kubernetes-based enterprise product. This role requires strong knowledge and experience in debugging and fixing software deployment/configuration issues in addition to continuing to advance the automation of the deployment process.

The Warfare Systems Business Area is one of four mission critical business units within the IDT organization and is directly responsible for building, testing, and deploying the Navy’s next generation of tactical warfare and weapons systems. As the nation enters the ‘technology-first’ era of warfare, the Warfare Systems Business Area will be responsible for enabling and accelerating the mission critical tactical capability that is delivered to the warfighter. The Lead Infrastructure Software Engineer will work with our team of software and systems engineers building tactically relevant and technically innovative solutions to ensure the highest impact to the US Navy.

Clearance & Location Requirements:

All applicants must be able to obtain/maintain an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
This is an on-site position. Requiring at least 3-4 days in office, based out of our Arlington, VA location

What You Will Do:

Scope and Define Requirements: Manage formal and informal requirements to define, validate and control scope to complete all the deliverables within a project successfully
- Support conversion of internal customer requirements into a refined vision
- Lead a team to develop, implement, and maintain Infrastructure as Code software for automated deployment and configuration of a multi-site, multi-system microservice- based application, leveraging AI coding assistants to accelerate development.
- Lead the active operations work of deploying and maintaining multiple Kubernetes clusters in unclassified and classified (airgapped) environments, leveraging AI solutions to improve deployment and maintenance efficiency.
Engineer Solutions: Design and implement solutions that meet specific requirements
- Debug, identify root cause and fix software deployment/configuration issues
- Guide a team in the identification and application of emerging technologies and architectures including evaluation of cloud operations platforms such as cloud IaaS, PaaS, SaaS.
- Manage, mentor, and lead a small team of engineers working operational and development tasks while championing the use of AI to streamline the team’s workflow, incorporating AI-driven approaches to optimize automation and reduce the complexity of installations.
- Implement and test software using multiple languages and technology stacks
- Develop software interfaces to communicate across various network protocols and messaging frameworks
- Integrate software components into complex software environments
- Communicate and work collaboratively with colleagues and lead engineers from other disciplines
Assure Quality: Maintains a focus on quality that produces deliverables that meet objectives and align needs, uses, and acceptance requirements set forth by relevant stakeholders
- Participate in and provide feedback in design and code reviews
- Develop software using secure coding practices
- Support test and integration activities in IDT labs, as well as on-site customer labs
Manage Risk and Opportunities: Assess, plan, identify, analyze, mitigate and control risks and opportunities
- Support preparation, tracking, and delivery of internal deliverables

Who You Are (Required):

Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or Math, or equivalent full-time professional experience; Master’s Degree in Engineering or another technical field highly desired
7+ years of professional software development/deployment experience in technically rigorous environments
High-level proficiency with container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes
Experience with Kubernetes management services like Helm or ArgoCD
Experience with hypervisor/virtualization technologies such as VMware, KVM, EC2.
Experience with networking in virtualized environments - TCP/IP, DNS, Load Balancing, Firewall, VLANs
Proficiency in automation scripts and tools such as Ansible, Terraform, Puppet, Salt, etc. and an aptitude for utilizing AI tools (e.g., LLMs, AI coding assistants) to streamline script generation and troubleshooting.
Strong Linux skills
High degree of competence in Bash/Shell
Basic full-stack development skills: SQL, Python/Java, JavaScript, HTML/CSS
Ability to shift from one project to another in an agile work environment
Strong leadership capabilities and skills
Strong documentation skills
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time, as needed

What Makes You Stand Out:

High-level proficiency with Kubernetes distros such as RKE2
Experience with distributed storage systems such as Rook/Ceph, NFS
Experience deploying Kubernetes clusters and configuring networking, storage, etc.
Experience with Git, Jenkins, Artifactory
DevSecOps experience
Experience with at least one public cloud environment, such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure
Experience managing and directing personnel while maintaining cost and schedule targets
Problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate ambiguous situations

If you see yourself reflected in this role and are excited about the impact you could make, we encourage you to apply! If you know someone who may be a great fit, please feel free to share this opportunity with your network.

Pay Range*: $135,000 - $273,000
This amount may not be reflective of actual compensation that may be earned as pay is dependent on a candidate’s experience, skills, and education. The posted range does not include bonuses, commissions, tips, or other benefits. IDT is often looking to place multiple candidates at various levels. Therefore, more than one pay range has been included, commensurate with experience.

About the Company

Innovative Defense Technologies

Automated software testing and defense cybersecurity.

IDT automates software testing, data analysis, and cybersecurity for Department of Defense mission-critical systems, using its patented Automated Test and ReTest (ATRT) technology to support the full software testing lifecycle from component tests to system integration and results analysis. The product automates test execution, configuration assessment, and result reporting, offering repeatable tests, on-demand regression checks for cyber threats, and statistically rigorous analysis to cut time and manpower. Its differentiation comes from the ATRT patent and its ability to tailor automated testing across large, complex systems for defense needs. The company's goal is to help field new software capabilities faster and more affordably by reducing the time and cost spent on software testing.

Company size: 201-500
Company stage: Grant
Total funding: $1.6M
Headquarters: Arlington County, VA
Founded: 2006

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