Senior Platform Engineer

Overview

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!

Responsibilities

SPA is seeking a Senior Platform Engineer to deliver mission focused technical engagement for our platform as a service solution supporting software delivery for Space Systems Command. This role serves as a trusted technical partner to mission teams, helping customers successfully adopt, integrate, and operate platform capabilities while driving continuous improvement across the platform. As a Senior Platform Engineer, you will combine deep technical expertise with exceptional customer engagement skills to solve complex engineering challenges, accelerate application onboarding, improve developer experience, and maximize platform adoption. You will work directly with software development teams throughout the software delivery lifecycle, providing technical guidance, resolving complex issues, and ensuring customers can confidently build, deploy, and operate mission applications. The ideal candidate is an experienced platform engineer who enjoys working directly with customers as much as solving technical problems. You are equally comfortable troubleshooting production issues, designing technical solutions, identifying opportunities for platform improvement, and building trusted relationships through engineering excellence and responsive technical leadership.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Serve as the primary technical partner for assigned mission teams, providing mission focused technical engagement throughout application onboarding, deployment, and operations.
• Guide software development teams in adopting platform capabilities, engineering standards, and best practices to improve delivery speed, security, and operational reliability.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues spanning cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, networking, platform services, and application integrations.
• Collaborate with customers to understand technical requirements and recommend platform capabilities that best support mission objectives.
• Identify recurring technical challenges and partner with engineering teams to develop reusable platform capabilities that improve the overall developer experience.
• Develop technical solutions that simplify application onboarding, deployment, operations, and lifecycle management.
• Work closely with cloud engineers, Kubernetes engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and technical product managers to resolve cross-functional engineering challenges.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of platform reliability, automation, security, documentation, and operational processes.
• Develop technical documentation, implementation guidance, knowledge articles, and engineering standards that improve customer success and platform adoption.
• Participate in architecture discussions, technical reviews, and engineering initiatives that shape the future direction of the platform.
• Monitor platform health, identify operational risks, and proactively recommend improvements that increase platform stability and customer satisfaction.
• Build trusted relationships through responsive technical leadership, clear communication, and a commitment to customer success.

Expected Outcomes:

• Enable mission teams to rapidly adopt and effectively utilize platform capabilities with minimal engineering friction.
• Resolve complex technical challenges while improving customer confidence, platform adoption, and overall developer experience.
• Identify opportunities to eliminate recurring customer issues through automation, standardization, and reusable platform capabilities.
• Improve platform reliability, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction through proactive engineering and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor who strengthens long-term partnerships between platform engineering and mission teams.

Qualifications

About the Must Haves

• Active Secret clearance at time of application
• Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical discipline from an accredited university
• Minimum 6 years of progressively responsible experience designing, building, and operating production Kubernetes platforms
• Current CompTIA Security+ certification or equivalent Department of Defense approved Information Assurance certification
• Demonstrated experience engineering and supporting cloud-native platforms, including Kubernetes, hybrid cloud infrastructure, and modern software delivery environments
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues across infrastructure, networking, platform services, and software deployments while communicating effectively with technical customers
• Experience providing mission focused technical engagement by building trusted relationships, understanding customer requirements, and delivering practical engineering solutions
• Experience implementing automation, Infrastructure as Code, and operational best practices that improve platform reliability, scalability, and developer productivity
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams while influencing technical decisions and continuously improving platform capabilities
• Ability to work remotely on a full-time basis

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 $140,000.00/Yr. - USD $200,000.00/Yr.