Lead Software Engineer / DevOps Architect (Active TS/SCI w/ Poly Required)

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary: We are seeking a Lead Software Engineer (Level 5) to serve in a DevOps architecture role supporting the design, modernization, and sustainment of a containerized microservices environment. This position requires a strong technical leader with deep experience in Docker-based systems, microservices architecture, and DevOps engineering practices. The ideal candidate will provide detailed architectural designs, drive key technical decisions, and guide implementation of scalable, secure, and resilient platform solutions. This role requires an active TS/SCI with Polygraph.
Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days totaling 80 hours worked and have every other Friday off.
Essential Functions

• Lead architecture and design efforts for Docker-based, microservice-oriented systems supporting mission-critical applications.
• Produce detailed architectural designs, interface definitions, deployment models, and technical decision documentation for distributed systems.
• Define and enforce architecture standards, engineering best practices, and DevOps patterns across the development and deployment lifecycle.
• Drive technical decisions related to containerization, orchestration, service communication, CI/CD, infrastructure automation, security, and system observability.
• Partner with software engineering, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and program stakeholders to ensure the architecture aligns with mission needs and operational constraints.
• Guide the design and implementation of build, release, deployment, and monitoring strategies for microservice-based platforms.
• Evaluate system performance, reliability, scalability, and security considerations and recommend architectural improvements.
• Provide technical leadership through architecture reviews, design reviews, risk identification, mentoring, and decision-making support for engineering teams.
• Develop roadmaps and implementation strategies for platform evolution, environment standardization, and long-term sustainment.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph is required.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Strong experience in DevOps engineering, platform architecture, or software architecture for distributed systems.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing Docker-based solutions and microservice architecture.
• Experience producing detailed architectural documentation, technical designs, and engineering decision artifacts.
• Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines, configuration management, infrastructure as code, and automated deployment practices.
• Experience with container orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes, OpenShift, or similar technologies.
• Knowledge of system integration, API design, service-to-service communication patterns, and secure platform engineering practices.
• Proven technical leadership experience, including leading architecture discussions, guiding implementation teams, and driving technical direction.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present architectural concepts and tradeoffs to technical and non-technical stakeholders.