Kubernetes SME

Dark Wolf Solutions is seeking an experienced Kubernetes SME to support Department of Defense (DoD) software factory environments, with a focus on automation, observability, and self-service for developers and mission partners. The Enterprise Collaboration Tools team enables mission-focused delivery by providing, securing, and optimizing the suite of collaboration and workflow tools across Platform One and other critical environments. We bridge operational needs and technical solutions, ensuring reliable, scalable, and secure platforms that empower DevSecOps at scale. The ideal candidate must be comfortable working in multi-Impact Level (IL2, IL4, IL5) environments with security-conscious design. You’ll work in a fast-paced, highly technical, and autonomy-driven team that values trust, initiative, and coaching over micromanagement. This position is set to be supported in a remote work environment, but candidates must be physically located out of Colorado Springs, CO or San Antonio, TX. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Key Responsibilities:

• Designing, building, and running elastic, cost-effective, resilient, robust, and secure architectures in the cloud using modern approaches like service-mesh and loosely coupled design.
• Managing different Kubernetes providers (Amazon EKS and Fargate, Azure KS and Google KE) or run your own.
• Designing and implementing Network connectivity, Provisioning Strategy Assess and Design RBAC needs to Ensure Cloud foundation is strong and with needed compliance requirements.
• Maintaining, configuring, and monitoring containers using Infrastructure as Code principles in Development, Test, and Live environments.
• Designing containerized solutions for relational/non-relational databases, data auditing, caching, and performance.
• Working with other Architects on Security, Data protection, and Failover Failback strategies.
• Implementing Continuous Integration, Delivery, and Deployment using different CI/CD tools by container registries.
• Providing technical/management leadership on major tasks or technology assignments.
• Establishing goals and plans that meet project objective.
• Creating and maintaining documentation for implementations.

Required Qualifications:

• At least three years’ demonstrated experience in:
  • Agile Teams
  • Expert level knowledge of Kubernetes, Istio, and Helm
  • GitOps and Continuous Deployment in hybrid environments
  • Custom Kubernetes Operators and Helm charts
  • Custom Admission Controller
  • Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs) and Custom Controllers
  • Providing technical guidance to other engineers and Platform One automation/build tool
  • Packaging and securing applications as containers and working in Kubernetes
  • Security and compliance experience for Kubernetes
• 3+ years of experience with DevSecOps collaboration platform administration
• 2+ years of experience with Custom automation scripting
• 2+ years of experience with Frontend development using React
• Experience managing tools such as Mattermost, Jira Data Center, Jira Service Desk, and -Confluence in secure, highly regulated environments (e.g., AWS GovCloud, IL2–IL5)
• Proficiency in scripting (Bash, Golang, Python) to automate configuration, integration (e.g., GitLab, Mattermost slash commands), and user lifecycle management
• Experience building or maintaining user-facing features, admin interfaces, or internal tools using React, preferably in mission-critical or government environments
• Privileged User Certification: DoD 8570.01-M, IASAE Level II
• US Citizenship and an active Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with technical customer service and escalation management.
• Strong communication skills and ability to lead internal and external client-facing meetings.