Job title: Software Engineer
Actalent is hiring for an A&D company located around Manassas, VA. Positions offers full time benefits (medical, dental, vision, etc.) plus paid vacation and paid holidays. Work schedule is onsite, 4/10s (off every Friday).
Job Description
We are seeking a Software Engineer to join a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) team responsible for designing, building, and sustaining a Kubernetes-based platform that supports mission applications and shared platform services. This team delivers the underlying infrastructure, CI/CD workflows, platform services, and Kubernetes-native capabilities used by multiple application teams in an air-gapped environment. You will work across Kubernetes platform engineering and software development, building and maintaining cluster capabilities, developing shared services (primarily in Go and Node.js), and supporting secure deployment pipelines and installation/configuration in Linux environments.
Responsibilities
Build, enhance, and sustain a Kubernetes-based PaaS, including clusters on physical systems and virtualized environments.
Develop and maintain shared platform services that provide common capabilities to application teams, such as routing, utility services, alerting, and data processing services.
Implement and maintain Kubernetes-native integrations, including operators and controller patterns.
Support and improve CI/CD pipelines using GitLab, integrating scanning tools, automated checks, and promotion workflows.
Perform Linux-based installation/configuration activities in air-gapped systems, including automation and repeatable deployment workflows.
Support phased deployment/test promotion flows from virtual/small systems to full systems.
Contribute to quality practices, including automated checks, fail-fast validations, and broader pipeline/system testing.
Collaborate using the Atlassian toolset (Jira/Confluence) for planning, tracking, and documentation.
Work with cybersecurity and platform controls at the cluster level, including scanning integrations and security-related platform configuration.
Participate in technical assessments/interviews and contribute to a proactive team culture.
Essential Skills
5+ years of hands-on experience with Kubernetes, including building and supporting clusters and deploying services.
Proficiency in Linux, including operating system fundamentals, troubleshooting, configuration, and scripting.
Experience in software development, particularly in building services or platform components with Go and/or Node.js.
Experience working in constrained environments, such as air-gapped or secure labs.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field.
Active Secret clearance preferred; interim Secret may be considered depending on program needs.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Familiarity with gRPC or similar middleware messaging technologies and experience in building service-to-service communication patterns.
CI/CD expertise and pipeline ownership, particularly with GitLab pipelines.
Infrastructure automation experience, including tools such as Ansible and deployment scripting.
Experience integrating or operating FOSS/COTS tools for container scanning/security checks in pipelines.
Experience writing Kubernetes operators using Go-based operator frameworks, CRDs, and controllers.
Familiarity with the person and/or Python for tooling, automation, and services.
Exposure to VMs and hybrid environments, including virtual and physical deployments.
Basic networking knowledge, although not required as a separate team handles physical/network hardware.
Work Environment
The work environment involves working within a Kubernetes-based platform engineering and software development @context. The position requires working in air-gapped systems with limited network connectivity and secure labs. The role utilizes the Atlassian toolset for planning and documentation and operates within an agile and collaborative team culture.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Manassas, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $72.00 - $77.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Manassas,VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 2, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC-with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.
