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 Dockerfiles 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's 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 a 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 (e.g., GitOps practices, Helm values management, Kustomize, or similar).
• Strong understanding of version control systems, primarily Git.
• Excellent troubleshooting, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with an emphasis on clear documentation and cross-team collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Desirable Skills:

• Experience with other programming languages (Java, Go, etc.).
• Knowledge of other container orchestration frameworks or cloud platforms (e.g., OpenShift, AKS, EKS, GKE).
• Familiarity with monitoring and logging tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack).
• Understanding of security best practices in containerized deployments (image scanning, secrets management, RBAC).
• Experience with chaos engineering or automated testing within CI/CD pipelines.
• Contributions to open-source projects or Helm charts are a plus.
• Certifications related to Kubernetes (CKA/CKAD), Docker, or DevOps practices.

Citizenship or Work Authorization Required:

• Ability to attain Federal Government Position of Trust.
• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must pass a background investigation.

Required Education, certification & Experience:

• A BS degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science, from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution fulfills the educational requirement.

• #CherokeeFederal #LI-SM2 #AppC
  
• 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 (Application Focus)
• 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.