Platform Engineer

Platform Engineer

Job Summary:

We are seeking a skilled Platform Engineer to join our team to design, build, and maintain robust automation and deployment frameworks. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in Python scripting, containerization technologies (Docker), Helm chart development, and CI/CD pipeline automation. This role involves deploying and managing complex helm charts across multiple environments, maintaining configuration-as-code repositories, and collaborating closely with development teams to ensure smooth and scalable platform operations.

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Develop, maintain, and optimize complex automation scripts primarily written in Python to support platform deployment and management.
• Write and maintain custom Docker files to create efficient and secure container images.
• Design, develop, and maintain Helm charts to deploy applications and infrastructure components.
• Write tests for and test Helm charts thoroughly for each release cycle.
• Deploy, manage, and troubleshoot Helm charts across dozens of Kubernetes instances/environments ensuring high availability and consistency.
• Implement and manage configuration-as-code frameworks to ensure system configurations are reproducible and version controlled.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize automated CI/CD pipelines using GitLab CI/CD, integrating with other tools and services as needed.
• Collaborate with development, operations, and QA teams to ensure seamless integration of automation into the platform lifecycle.
• Document automation processes, deployment procedures, configurations, and standards clearly and comprehensively.
• Monitor, review, and optimize platform performance and automation workflows; troubleshoot issues proactively.
• Stay current with industry best practices, tooling, and emerging technologies related to automation, container orchestration, and CI/CD.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Strong proficiency in Python scripting with experience writing complex automation scripts.
• Hands-on experience writing and maintaining custom Dockerfiles and managing containerized applications.
• Demonstrated expertise in Helm chart development, templating, and management.
• Experience deploying, upgrading, and managing Helm charts across multiple Kubernetes clusters or environments.
• Solid understanding of Kubernetes concepts and ecosystem.
• Experience in setting up and maintaining CI/CD pipelines, preferably GitLab CI/CD.
• Familiarity with configuration-as-code tools (GitOps practices, Helm values management, Kustomize, or similar).
• Strong understanding of Git/version control systems.
• Excellent troubleshooting, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Desirable Skills:

• Java or Go experience
• OpenShift, AKS, EKS, or GKE
• Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack
• Container security best practices
• Chaos engineering or automated testing
• Open-source contributions
• Kubernetes certifications (CKA/CKAD)

Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be eligible for a Federal Government Position of Trust
• Must pass a background investigation
• BS degree in IT, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution preferred

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Searchable Titles:

• Platform Engineer (Kubernetes/Python)
• Kubernetes Platform Engineer
• Application Platform Engineer
• DevOps Engineer (Python + Kubernetes)
• Site Reliability Engineer (SRE - Kubernetes/Python)
• Cloud Platform Engineer
• Container Platform Engineer
• Kubernetes Engineer (Helm Specialist)
• Software Engineer (Platform / Infrastructure Automation)
• Backend Engineer (Platform / DevOps Focus)

Searchable Keywords:

• Python automation
• Helm charts
• Kubernetes deployments
• Custom Dockerfiles
• GitLab CI/CD
• Containerized applications
• Helm templating
• Kubernetes multi-cluster
• Configuration as code / GitOps / Kustomize
• Application platform engineering

Legal Disclaimer: Cherokee Federal is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit cherokee-federal.com/careers for information regarding our Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer Statement, and Accommodation request. Many of our job openings require access to government buildings or military installations. Candidates must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.