--- title: 'Software Engineer 3 - Linux/Python/Docker/Kubernetes/LLM/CI/CD/Grafana at Captivation Software' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-3-linux-python-docker-kubernetes-llm-ci-cd-grafana-heaymcm4crx0' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-07' --- # Software Engineer 3 - Linux/Python/Docker/Kubernetes/LLM/CI/CD/Grafana at Captivation Software - **Company:** Captivation Software - **Location:** Annapolis Junction, MD - **Posted:** 2026-11-04 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-07 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/captivation/jobs/5473420008 ## Job description Build to something to be proud of. Captivation has built a reputation on providing customers exactly what is needed in a timely manner. Our team of engineers take pride in what they develop and constantly innovate to provide the best solution. Captivation is looking for software developers who can get stuff done while making a difference in support of the mission to protect our country. Description Captivation Software is looking for a senior level software engineer who shall design, develop, deploy, and support solutions within a high-performance computing (HPC) Linux environment. The successful candidate will have hands-on experience with Large Language Models (LLMs), LLM orchestration frameworks, knowledge retrieval systems, embedding models, and containerized applications. Candidates must be proficient in Python, Kubernetes, Helm, CI/CD automation, and secure SI system development, with the ability to deliver scalable, production-ready SI solutions in mission-critical environments. ## Requirements Security Clearance: - Must currently hold a Top Secret/SCI U.S. Government security clearance with a favorable Polygraph, therefore all candidates must be a U.S. citizen Minimum Qualifications: - Master's degree in Computer Science or related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus five (5) years of experience as a SWE, in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity. - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus seven (7) years of experience as a SWE, in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity - Nine (9) years of experience as a SWE, in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity. Required Skills: - Proven experience working in Linux environments, including advanced use of the Linux command-line interface (CLI) for development, troubleshooting, and system administration - Recent hands-on software development experience using Python, with a strong understanding of modern software engineering practices and frameworks - Experience with containerization technologies, such as Docker, Podman, and containers, for application packaging, deployment, and lifecycle management - Experience designing, authoring, and deploying Helm charts to manage Kubernetes-based applications and services - Experience developing, testing, deploying, and supporting containerized applications in production environments - Experience creating, configuring, and managing Kubernetes resources, including Deployments, Services, ConfigMaps, Secrets, Ingresses, and Operators - Working knowledge of Generative SI technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures, embedding models, and vector databases - Experience implementing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines using tools such as GitLab CI/CD, Flux CD, GitLab Runners or similar tools - Experience leveraging observability, metrics, logging, and monitoring solutions including Prometheus and Grafana - Proficiency with Git-based source control workflows, including branching strategies, code reviews, pull/merge requests, and collaborative development practices - Understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) best practices, including automated testing, security scanning, code quality analysis, and DevSecOps principles Desired Skills: - Familiar with developing, deploying, troubleshooting, and sustaining mission applications in an AWS Cloud environment - Experience with the Atlassian suite of tools including Confluence and Jira - Experience working with, and debugging, GPU-enabled applications - Experience using a machine-learning framework (PyTorch, TensorFlow, etc) - Experience with other ML pipelines/frameworks like KubeFlow, NeMo, PyTorch Lightning, etc. - Experience working with and debugging GPU-enabled applications - Experience with SQL, Elasticsearch, and Vector databases - Knowledge of SI inferencing solutions such as Nvidia NIM/TRITON, vLLM, and direct deployment (e.g. Ray) This position is open for direct hires only. We will not consider candidates from third party staffing/recruiting firms. ## Benefits - Annual Salary: $130,000 - $270,000 (Depends on the Years of Experience) - Up to 20% 401k contribution (No Matching Required and Vested from Day 1) - Above Market Hourly Rates - $3,600 HSA Contribution - 6 Weeks Paid Time Off - Company Paid Employee Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance/Life Insurance/Short-Term & Long-Term Disability/AD&D ## About Captivation Software ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Captivation Software is a small, developer-owned company that builds innovative software solutions for the Armed Forces and the Intelligence Community. - **Entity Type**: Private - **Headquarters**: Columbia, Maryland, United States - **Founded**: 2014 - **Founders**: Dave Barbalato (President) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Software Development, Defense & Intelligence, Digital Signal Processing, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning - **Target customers**: United States Department of Defense, United States Army, US CYBERCOM, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), and other Intelligence Community agencies (B2G/Government) - **Mission or purpose statement**: "Build something to be proud of." — The company is focused on engineering digital solutions for mission makers, delivering software engineering expertise with the agility and efficiency of a small business. ## Products & Services Captivation delivers expertise across a broad spectrum of technical disciplines rather than a single product. Their core service areas include: - **Digital Signal Processing (DSP)**: Specialized engineering for RF and signal intelligence. - **Big Data / Streaming Analytics**: Processing and analyzing large-scale data streams. - **Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence**: Developing AI/ML models, including NLP and MLOps. - **Application Development**: Full-stack development using Java, Python, C++, Angular, and modern frameworks. - **Data Visualization**: Creating UI/UX solutions for complex data. - **DevOps & Platform Engineering**: Infrastructure management with AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, GitLab, and Ansible. - **Network Engineering**: Expertise with Cisco/Arista, SSP, STE, and STN. - **Systems Administration**: Linux, AWS, and security-focused system management. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (private company) - **Key Metric**: The company has 9 employees (as of latest LinkedIn data) but is actively hiring with 53+ open job postings, indicating rapid growth or a high-demand project-based model. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly available. Key clients include the US Department of Defense, US Army, US CYBERCOM, and DISA. - **Growth Signals**: The company has 53 active job postings on Greenhouse, with a yearly job posting growth of +65.6%. They are expanding their presence with multiple offices in Maryland (Columbia, Annapolis Junction, Baltimore) and an office in the United Kingdom. ## Competitive Advantages - **Specialized Mission Focus**: Deep expertise in serving the Intelligence Community and Armed Forces, a niche with high barriers to entry due to security clearance requirements. - **Technical Leadership**: Founded and led by engineers (Dave Barbalato has 15+ years of software engineering experience; Daniel Barbalato has 10 years in DSP). The company is described as "technical from the top down." - **Developer-Oriented Culture**: Operates like a tech startup with a flattened company structure and a focus on transparency, which is rare in the defense contracting space. - **Exceptional Compensation Package**: Offers a 20% 401(k) employer contribution with no match required, a $3,400 HSA contribution, and fully company-paid medical/dental/vision insurance. ## Strategic Focus - **Talent Acquisition**: Actively seeking the "BEST and BRIGHTEST" cleared professionals, with a strong emphasis on hiring for a wide range of engineering roles. - **Geographic Expansion**: Maintaining a presence in the Maryland area (near key government clients) and expanding to the UK. - **Staying at the Cutting Edge**: Pursuing work with leading software technologies (AI/ML, cloud, GPU computing) to remain competitive and deliver innovative solutions to clients. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Described as a "small, developer-oriented company" with a "progressive attitude" and a "flattened company structure." The company values transparency and empowers its team. - **Remote/Hybrid/Office Policy**: Primarily on-site/in-office work at their Columbia, MD, Annapolis Junction, MD, and Baltimore, MD locations. Some hybrid roles are available (e.g., AI Engineer). - **Notable Perks**: - Up to 20% 401(k) Employer Contribution (NO MATCH REQUIRED). - $3,400 HSA Contribution. - Company-Paid Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance. - Company-Paid Life and Disability Insurance. - Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO). - Learning & Development Program (Udemy). - Free snacks and drinks. - Performance bonuses. - Generous parental leave. - **Engineering Culture**: Employees work with modern tech stacks (AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, Python, Java, etc.) on meaningful mission-critical problems. The company encourages open-source contributions. ## Sources 1. [captivation.us](https://captivation.us/) 2. [LinkedIn - Captivation](https://www.linkedin.com/company/captivation-software) 3. [Greenhouse - Captivation Careers](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/captivation) 4. [Built In - Captivation Software](https://builtin.com/company/captivation-software) 5. 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