Principal Kubernetes Engineer

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted. 

The Space and Intelligence Division provides professional services to the US Space Force, Combatant Commands, Intelligence Community, and NASA. Our work includes enterprise architectural assessments, systems engineering and integration, test, planning and execution, cost estimating and analysis, acquisition support, and cybersecurity.  We are trusted partners developing approaches and concepts to meet emerging high priority needs, assessing cutting-edge technologies, and supporting capabilities for our National Defense.  Come join the fastest growing Division at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.!

The Space Systems Group (SSG), part of SPA’s Space and Intelligence Division, provides timely and objective assessments and recommendations integrating technical, operational, programmatic, policy and business analysis. We focus on our key clients in the Space community including the US Space Force’s Space Systems Command (USSF/SSC), one of the three designated Field Commands under USSF. We work tirelessly to provide integrated solutions based on information and communications throughout the chain of command.  We provide clear and consistent analysis and recommendations which are aligned to strategic and leadership goals while balancing the ability to  execute on time and on budget within the technical communities. Come join an organization responsible for being a key enabler of Spacepower!

SPA has an immediate need for a Principal Kubernetes Engineer.

Responsibilities

SPA is seeking a Principal Kubernetes Engineer to design, build, and evolve our secure platform as a service solution supporting software delivery for Space Systems Command. This role serves as the senior Kubernetes technical anchor for one of four platform environments. You will be responsible for engineering platform capabilities that enable application teams to rapidly develop, deploy, and operate mission-critical software across a hybrid cloud environment. As a Principal Kubernetes Engineer, you will lead the implementation, automation, and continuous improvement of enterprise Kubernetes services that are secure, scalable, resilient, and easy for developers to consume. You will work closely with cloud engineers, software engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and technical product managers to deliver platform capabilities that improve developer productivity, strengthen security, and increase operational reliability. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and building platforms that other engineers rely upon every day. Success in this role requires deep Kubernetes expertise, strong platform engineering fundamentals, a passion for automation, and the ability to provide technical leadership through engineering excellence, sound architectural judgment, and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Design, build, and operate enterprise Kubernetes platforms supporting secure hybrid cloud and on-premises environments.
• Architect scalable, highly available, and resilient platform services that enable secure software delivery across multiple mission environments.
• Develop reusable platform capabilities that simplify application deployment, operations, and lifecycle management for software development teams.
• Implement Infrastructure as Code, automation, and continuous delivery practices that improve platform consistency, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Engineer secure Kubernetes services by implementing identity management, policy enforcement, workload isolation, secrets management, and platform hardening.
• Optimize platform performance, scalability, networking, storage, resource utilization, and overall operational health.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues spanning Kubernetes, Linux, networking, storage, and distributed systems.
• Collaborate with platform engineers, cloud engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and software development teams to design and implement integrated platform solutions.
• Improve platform observability through metrics, logging, tracing, dashboards, and proactive monitoring.
• Evaluate emerging platform technologies and recommend improvements that enhance platform capabilities, developer experience, security, and operational excellence.
• Develop engineering standards, technical documentation, and architectural guidance that promote consistency and long-term maintainability.
• Provide technical leadership through architecture reviews, design discussions, mentoring, and engineering best practices.

Expected Outcomes:

• Deliver secure, scalable, and highly available platform capabilities that accelerate software delivery and improve developer productivity.
• Increase platform reliability and operational efficiency through automation, standardization, and engineering best practices.
• Improve platform security, resilience, and observability while reducing operational complexity.
• Enable software development teams to successfully build, deploy, and operate mission applications using standardized platform services.
• Serve as the organization’s trusted technical authority for Kubernetes and platform engineering.

This is a fully remote/hybrid position.

Qualifications

About the Must Haves

• Active Secret clearance at the time of application
• Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum 6 years of progressively responsible experience designing, building, and operating production Kubernetes platforms
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
• Current CompTIA Security+ certification or equivalent Department of Defense approved Information Assurance certification
• Demonstrated expertise designing, building, securing, and operating enterprise Kubernetes platforms supporting highly available production workloads
• Experience engineering platforms and cloud-native infrastructure across hybrid cloud and on-premises environments
• Experience implementing Infrastructure as Code, automation, and continuous integration and continuous delivery practices to provision, manage, and operate platform services
• Strong understanding of Linux, networking, container technologies, distributed systems, platform security, and observability required to diagnose and resolve complex production issues
• Demonstrated ability to architect platform solutions, drive engineering best practices, and collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent.  Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.  SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide both paid and unpaid time away from work.  The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc.  Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only.  Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.  Pay Transparency Range:  175k - 250k

Pay Range Information

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. , Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $175,000.00/Yr. - USD $250,000.00/Yr.