Senior DevOps Platform Engineer

Bowhead•Dahlgren, VA

1d•$175,000 - $190,000

About The Position

Bowhead is seeking a Senior DevSecOps & Platform Engineer to support the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) environment. The role combines DevSecOps architecture, platform engineering, full-stack application development, cybersecurity compliance, and emerging AI/ML technologies. The engineer will design, develop, deploy, secure, and maintain enterprise applications and infrastructure across complex computing environments, while automating development and infrastructure workflows and supporting DoD cybersecurity compliance. The position also involves supporting AI-enabled capabilities and collaborating with government stakeholders, developers, cybersecurity personnel, and infrastructure engineering teams. The engineer will provide technical expertise across DevSecOps, application development, platform engineering, and cybersecurity; help identify requirements and solutions; provide technical recommendations; maintain documentation and configuration records; and resolve complex technical challenges while supporting operational continuity. The role requires the ability to lift up to 25 pounds and to stand and walk for prolonged periods, as well as periodically twist, bend, and squat. The employee must currently hold a Top Secret/SCI security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for that clearance at this location.

Requirements

Demonstrated professional experience in DevSecOps engineering, platform engineering, software development, or closely related technical disciplines.
Working knowledge of Linux and Windows operating systems.
Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies, including Docker and Kubernetes.
Experience supporting virtualized infrastructure using VMware vSphere.
Hands-on experience developing and maintaining GitLab CI/CD pipelines.
Familiarity with Artifactory, Jira, and Confluence.
Programming experience using Python and JavaScript.
Experience working with relational databases, including one or more of Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle SQL, MySQL, or MariaDB.
Understanding of cybersecurity principles, vulnerability management, and secure software development practices.
Experience with cybersecurity compliance tools and processes, including STIGs, ACAS, SCAP, static code analysis, or comparable technologies.
Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis capabilities across applications, infrastructure, and development environments.
Ability to communicate technical information effectively to engineering teams, program leadership, and government stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary technical environment.
Must currently hold a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required for Top Secret/SCI clearance at this location.
Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds.
Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time.
Must be able to twist, bend, and squat periodically.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing and implementing enterprise DevSecOps architectures.
Advanced Kubernetes administration, configuration, and troubleshooting experience.
Experience integrating automated security scanning and vulnerability management into CI/CD pipelines.
Familiarity with DoD cybersecurity compliance requirements and Risk Management Framework (RMF) processes.
Experience supporting DoD RDT&E or similarly complex federal IT environments.
Experience developing full-stack applications and integrating enterprise database systems.
Knowledge of AI/ML technologies, Large Language Models, agentic harnesses, and agentic workflows.
Experience implementing AI-enabled automation within secure enterprise environments.
Experience supporting platform modernization, infrastructure automation, and continuous compliance initiatives.
Relevant industry certifications in DevSecOps, cloud technologies, Kubernetes, software engineering, or cybersecurity.
Adaptability across multiple technical disciplines and rapidly evolving technologies.
Strong analytical skills and an innovative approach to problem-solving.
A security-focused mindset throughout development and operational activities.
Initiative in identifying opportunities for automation and process improvement.
Ability to balance software development, infrastructure operations, and cybersecurity requirements.
Ability to build productive relationships with customers and technical stakeholders.
Attention to detail, accountability, and commitment to mission success.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and maintain secure, scalable DevSecOps platforms for enterprise application development and deployment.
Develop, manage, and optimize GitLab CI/CD pipelines.
Support containerized application environments using Docker and Kubernetes.
Administer and troubleshoot Linux and Windows operating environments.
Support virtualized infrastructure using VMware vSphere.
Integrate and support artifact repositories and development and collaboration tools, including Artifactory, Jira, and Confluence.
Identify opportunities to automate infrastructure management, application deployments, and operational workflows.
Develop, maintain, and enhance applications using Python and JavaScript.
Support application integration across platforms, databases, and enterprise systems.
Develop and maintain database connectivity and application functionality using Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle SQL, MySQL, and MariaDB.
Collaborate with development teams to improve application performance, reliability, scalability, and security.
Incorporate automated testing, code validation, and secure software development practices throughout the application lifecycle.
Troubleshoot complex application, infrastructure, and integration issues.
Integrate cybersecurity requirements and secure development practices throughout the software development lifecycle.
Implement and validate STIGs across applicable systems and applications.
Support vulnerability identification, assessment, tracking, and remediation using ACAS, SCAP, McAfee security tools, and related technologies.
Implement static code analysis and vulnerability scanning tools, including Xray, in development pipelines.
Collaborate with cybersecurity professionals to address vulnerabilities and maintain compliance with applicable DoD security requirements.
Support security assessments, audit preparation, remediation activities, and continuous monitoring.
Promote security automation and continuous compliance throughout development and deployment.
Evaluate and integrate AI/ML technologies into enterprise development and operational environments.
Develop and implement agentic workflows and AI-enabled automation capabilities.
Work with LLMs and agentic harnesses to support intelligent workflow orchestration and process improvement.
Evaluate opportunities to use AI to improve software development, troubleshooting, cybersecurity operations, and organizational efficiency.
Collaborate with technical stakeholders to assess the feasibility, security, and operational value of emerging AI capabilities.
Serve as a technical subject matter expert across DevSecOps, application development, platform engineering, and cybersecurity.
Collaborate with government customers and multidisciplinary technical teams to identify requirements and develop solutions.
Provide technical recommendations on system architecture, application deployment, security improvements, and infrastructure modernization.
Develop and maintain technical documentation, standard operating procedures, and configuration records.
Investigate and resolve complex technical challenges while maintaining customer communication and operational continuity.