TSA - Senior Kubernetes Engineer

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Kubernetes Engineer to support mission-critical systems for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This role will lead the design, development, modernization, and innovation of secure, scalable, cloud-native infrastructure solutions supporting TSA’s operational and enterprise environments.

The ideal candidate is a subject matter expert in Kubernetes architecture and engineering , with deep experience designing secure containerized platforms in highly regulated federal environments.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture & Design

• Lead the design and architecture of enterprise Kubernetes platforms supporting TSA mission systems.
• Develop secure, scalable, and highly available container orchestration solutions.
• Architect hybrid and cloud-native solutions (AWS, Azure, or other FedRAMP-authorized environments).
• Design multi-cluster, multi-tenant Kubernetes environments aligned with Zero Trust principles.
• Establish infrastructure-as-code (IaC) standards using Terraform, Helm, or similar tools.

Engineering & Development

• Build, configure, and optimize Kubernetes clusters (EKS, AKS, OpenShift, Rancher, etc.).
• Develop CI/CD pipelines integrating container security scanning and automated deployments.
• Implement GitOps workflows using tools such as ArgoCD or Flux.
• Engineer resilient microservices-based architectures.
• Automate infrastructure provisioning and cluster lifecycle management.

Security & Compliance

• Implement Kubernetes security best practices (RBAC, Network Policies, Pod Security Standards).
• Integrate container security tools (e.g., Aqua, Prisma, Twistlock, Anchore).
• Ensure compliance with DHS/TSA cybersecurity requirements, including FISMA and NIST frameworks.
• Support Authority to Operate (ATO) documentation and security audits.

Innovation & Modernization

• Drive container modernization initiatives for legacy TSA applications.
• Evaluate and implement emerging cloud-native technologies.
• Optimize performance, observability, and cost-efficiency of Kubernetes environments.
• Introduce DevSecOps best practices across the program.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Serve as technical lead and advisor to government stakeholders.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical oversight.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity, cloud, and application development teams.
• Contribute to technical proposals and architecture reviews.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of IT engineering experience, with 5+ years focused on Kubernetes.
• Demonstrated experience supporting federal government or DHS/TSA environments.
• Strong expertise in:
  • Kubernetes cluster design and administration
  • Containerization (Docker/OCI)
  • CI/CD and DevSecOps pipelines
  • Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation, etc.)
  • Cloud platforms (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, etc.)
• Experience implementing secure architectures in compliance with NIST 800-53.
• Ability to obtain or maintain a Public Trust or higher clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS).
• AWS/Azure cloud certifications.
• Experience with service mesh technologies (Istio, Linkerd).
• Experience supporting TSA or DHS programs.
• Active DHS/TSA clearance.