Kubernetes Architect

Kubernetes Architect

Peraton is seeking a highly skilled Kubernetes Architect to support a federal government customer in designing, building, securing, and operationalizing enterprise Kubernetes platforms across both air-gapped and cloud-based environments. This role will serve as the technical lead for Kubernetes platform architecture, automation, infrastructure modernization, and container orchestration strategy supporting mission-critical government systems.

The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in Kubernetes platform engineering, cloud-native infrastructure, Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), enterprise automation, and secure platform operations within highly regulated federal environments. This position requires both hands-on engineering experience and strategic architectural leadership to deliver scalable, resilient, and compliant Kubernetes solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and long-term operational strategy of enterprise Kubernetes platforms supporting federal government missions and secure enterprise workloads.
• Architect, build, and maintain Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) environments across air-gapped on-premises infrastructure and AWS cloud environments.
• Establish secure Kubernetes cluster foundations including networking, storage integrations, identity management, cluster lifecycle management, and platform governance aligned with federal compliance requirements.
• Design and implement cloud-native Kubernetes infrastructure leveraging Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) methodologies to automate deployment and management processes.
• Architect and deploy Amazon EKS environments including:
• VPC design and segmentation
• Subnets and routing
• IAM integration and role-based access controls
• Cluster provisioning and node management
• Secure networking and ingress configurations
• High availability and resiliency architectures
• Develop repeatable, scalable, and compliant infrastructure deployment workflows aligned with enterprise standards and federal security requirements.
• Operationalize and maintain platform stability, tenant management, and shared services running within Kubernetes environments.
• Oversee Kubernetes platform operations including:
• Change management
• Cluster upgrades and patching
• Access controls and RBAC
• Monitoring and logging
• Security hardening
• Capacity planning
• Performance optimization
• Serve as the Kubernetes Subject Matter Expert (SME) providing architectural guidance, technical leadership, and best practices to engineering, DevSecOps, and application teams.
• Develop reference architectures, platform standards, operational procedures, and deployment patterns supporting scalable application onboarding and long-term platform sustainability.
• Translate complex Kubernetes and cloud-native concepts into actionable technical guidance for stakeholders, engineering teams, and operational leadership.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity, infrastructure, networking, and development teams to ensure secure and compliant platform operations.
• Support modernization initiatives involving containerization, automation, DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud-native transformation efforts.
• Ensure compliance with federal cybersecurity standards, configuration management requirements, and enterprise operational governance processes.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation including architecture diagrams, operational runbooks, deployment standards, and engineering procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent professional experience) preferred
• 10+ years of experience in infrastructure engineering, cloud architecture, DevOps, or platform engineering roles.
• 5+ years of hands-on Kubernetes architecture and administration experience in enterprise or mission-critical environments.
• Deep expertise with:
• Kubernetes
• Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP)
• Amazon EKS
• Terraform
• Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC)
• Container orchestration and cloud-native technologies
• Experience designing and supporting Kubernetes platforms in both air-gapped and cloud-based environments.
• Strong experience with:
• AWS networking and architecture
• IAM and RBAC
• VPCs, subnets, routing, and security groups
• Kubernetes networking and ingress
• Storage integrations and persistent volumes
• Cluster lifecycle management
• Experience implementing secure and compliant Kubernetes environments within federal or highly regulated organizations.
• Strong understanding of DevSecOps methodologies, CI/CD pipelines, automation frameworks, and container security best practices.
• Experience operationalizing shared enterprise Kubernetes platforms supporting multi-tenant workloads.
• Excellent troubleshooting, performance optimization, and platform reliability engineering skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Active TS/SCI or Q/SCI security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications such as:
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
• Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect
• Terraform Associate
• Nutanix Certified Professional (NCP)
• Experience supporting Department of Energy (DOE), Intelligence Community (IC), or civilian federal agency environments.
• Experience with:
• Rancher
• Helm
• ArgoCD
• GitOps workflows
• Istio or service mesh technologies
• Prometheus/Grafana
• ELK/OpenSearch logging stacks
• Familiarity with Zero Trust Architecture and federal cloud modernization initiatives.
• Experience supporting disconnected, classified, or high-security operational environments.

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range

$146,000 - $234,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.