---
title: 'Kubernetes Engineer (Mid–Senior) | DoD Platform Engineering at Rackner'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/kubernetes-engineer-mid-senior-dod-platform-engineering-rackner-remote-szzk4y35csy9'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-16'
---

# Kubernetes Engineer (Mid–Senior) | DoD Platform Engineering at Rackner

- **Company:** Rackner
- **Location:** Remote
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-10-06
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-16
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/rackner/jobs/4740704005

## Job description

Kubernetes Engineer (Mid–Senior) | DoD Platform Engineering

Ability to Obtain a DoD Secret Clearance

Build Secure Kubernetes Platforms That Engineering Teams Depend On Rackner is hiring Kubernetes Engineers across Mid and Senior levels to help design, automate, secure, and operate cloud-native platforms supporting a mission-focused DoD environment.

You’ll work hands-on across Kubernetes, cloud infrastructure, GitOps, service mesh, networking, security, and Infrastructure as Code—building reliable platform capabilities that development teams can use at scale.

We’re hiring multiple engineers and will align level based on the scope, technical depth, and ownership demonstrated in your work, rather than title alone.

## What You’ll Lead and Build

- Design, build, and operate secure, resilient Kubernetes platforms
- Automate infrastructure and platform configuration using Terraform, Ansible, Helm, and Infrastructure as Code
- Build and improve GitOps and CI/CD workflows
- Implement Kubernetes networking, RBAC, security controls, and service-to-service communication
- Engineer and support Istio/service-mesh capabilities
- Build reusable platform components, including Helm charts, Operators, Controllers, CRDs, and Admission Controllers
- Integrate Kubernetes with cloud services, container registries, and delivery pipelines
- Troubleshoot complex issues across Kubernetes, Linux, networking, containers, and cloud infrastructure
- Strengthen platform reliability, security, performance, and recovery
- Partner with application, cloud, security, and architecture teams to turn requirements into working platform capabilities

Senior engineers may also guide larger technical decisions, lead implementation efforts, and help other engineers grow while remaining hands-on.

## What You’ll Bring

- Hands-on background building, operating, or supporting Kubernetes environments
- Strong knowledge of Linux, networking, containers, and Kubernetes architecture
- Proficiency with Helm and Infrastructure as Code
- Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS/EKS, Azure/AKS, GCP/GKE, OCI, or similar
- Practical use of GitOps, CI/CD, and automated deployment workflows
- Knowledge of Kubernetes security, access controls, and RBAC
- Ability to independently diagnose and solve issues across multiple layers of a platform
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance

For Mid-level engineers, we’re generally looking for roughly 3–5 years of relevant engineering experience. Senior engineers will typically bring 5–7+ years with broader platform ownership, architecture, or technical leadership.

We care most about what you have built, operated, improved, and solved.

Standout Background Additional value may come from:

- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- Deep experience with Istio or service mesh
- Custom Kubernetes Operators, Controllers, CRDs, or Admission Controllers
- DoD Enterprise DevSecOps Reference Design experience
- Software development, scripting, or platform automation background
- Experience supporting production platforms with active end users
- DoD, federal, regulated, or security-focused engineering environments

## Why Rackner

At Rackner, you’ll work on technology tied directly to complex federal missions while remaining close to the engineering.

This role offers the opportunity to build rather than simply maintain: own meaningful platform capabilities, solve problems across cloud and security boundaries, influence technical decisions, and expand your scope without stepping away from hands-on engineering.

Our teams work across cloud, DevSecOps, AI/ML, data, and modern software engineering, creating opportunities to broaden your technical perspective as programs and challenges evolve.

## Benefits & Perks

- Company-supported certifications aligned with current and future program work
- Career-development and leadership opportunities
- 401(k) with 100% match up to 6%
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
- Generous PTO and paid holidays
- Home-office equipment and remote-work support
- Fitness and wellness reimbursement
- Weekly pay and team events

## Equal Opportunity

Use the same standard Rackner Equal Opportunity statement already used on the Senior Data Engineer posting.

## About Rackner

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Rackner builds AI-enabled, cloud-native mission software for the US Government, applying DevSecOps, Kubernetes, and edge computing to high-consequence defense and civilian agency problems.
- **Entity Type**: Private (no disclosed funding; appears bootstrapped)
- **Headquarters**: Silver Spring, Maryland, United States (with offices in College Park, MD; Dayton, OH; Charlottesville, VA; Arlington, VA)
- **Founded**: 2015
- **Founders**: Alexander Raul (CEO), DJ Gagner (CEO), Frank Hackenburg (President) – all University of Maryland graduates

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: IT Services & IT Consulting, Defense & Government Technology, Cloud-Native Software, DevSecOps, AI/ML
- **Target customers**: US Federal agencies (Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, HHS/FDA, Department of State, NOAA) and VC-backed hypergrowth startups
- **Mission statement**: “Delivering Decision Advantage Since 2015” – building mission-critical platforms that combine MLOps, DevSecOps, and cybersecurity at scale for organizations where failure isn’t an option.

## Products & Services
- **DevSecOps & Kubernetes Consulting**: Kubernetes Certified Service Provider, CNCF member. Helps organizations adopt cloud-native infrastructure and automate secure software delivery.
- **AI/ML Platform Development**: Custom inference models, MLOps pipelines, and AI-enabled decision advantage software for command and control systems.
- **Edge, IoT/Mobile & VR**: Engineering solutions that extend compute to the tactical edge.
- **Full-Stack Mission Software**: End-to-end development of cloud-native applications, from architecture to deployment, for both legacy modernization and greenfield innovation.
- **Federal Prime & Subcontracts**: Holds contracts with Platform One (DoD Software Factory), US Air Force, Army, Navy, USCIS, FDA, and others.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly available
- **Key Metric**: Headcount ~40 employees (+56.7% YoY as of mid-2026). Active job postings: 15 (as of July 2026).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: No external funding disclosed. Key partners: major public cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP), Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), DoD Platform One.
- **Growth Signals**: Expanded from startups to Fortune 500 and then into federal contracting (2019 Air Force contract marked a turning point). Year-over-year headcount growth of 56.7% indicates aggressive hiring. High LinkedIn follower growth (+7.8% YoY to 5,777). Multiple active job postings spanning engineering, program management, and capture roles.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Kubernetes Certified Service Provider & CNCF member** – deep, certified expertise in container orchestration and cloud-native tech.
- **Government market access** – holds prime and subcontracts with key defense and civilian agencies, requiring security clearances (TS/SCI) and compliance.
- **Startup agility meets mission-critical reliability** – ability to move fast while meeting DoD security and compliance standards.
- **Top employer rating** – 4.5/5 on LinkedIn (10 reviews) with strong compensation (e.g., ML Engineer ~$154k, Software Engineer ~$143k) and culture scores.

## Strategic Focus
- Deepen AI/ML capabilities for defense decision-support systems.
- Expand DevSecOps platform offerings for more federal agencies.
- Continue to hire “lifelong learners” across engineering, operations, and leadership. Job postings emphasize TS/SCI clearance and cloud-native skills.
- Build reusable products and solutions alongside custom consulting services.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Values “mission obsession, engineering excellence, and effective communication.” Described as a remote-first, high-performance team where continuous learning is the operating model (free training, certifications).
- **Work Policy**: Remote-first with DC Metro headquarters; some roles require on-site presence in Dayton, OH or Charlottesville, VA for cleared work.
- **Perks**: Competitive salaries (LinkedIn estimated ranges: Software Engineer $143k, Senior DevSecOps Engineer $131k, AI/ML Engineer $154k). High employee satisfaction: 4.5/5 rating with strong scores on culture (4.4), compensation (4.5), and work-life (4.3).
- **Engineering focus**: Engineers work on bleeding-edge problems – Kubernetes, WASM, MLOps, edge computing – with real-world impact on national security. Open positions include Platform Engineer, MLOps Engineer, Senior Full Stack Software Engineer, and DevSecOps SME.

## Sources
1. [rackner.com](https://rackner.com/about/)
2. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/rackner-solutions)
3. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/rackner)
4. [greenhouse.io](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/rackner)

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