Scientific Research Corporation

Systems Automation Engineer

Scientific Research Corporation$132K — $220K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in systems/infrastructure engineering with strong Linux (RHEL 8/9/10) expertise.
  • 5+ years of experience in DevSecOps, automation, and AWS cloud environments.
  • Hands-on experience with AWS core services and multi-account/VPC networking.
  • Production experience operating Kubernetes (RKE2 or similar), including RBAC, ingress, and troubleshooting.
  • Proficient in scripting/automation using Ansible, Python, and Bash.
  • Experienced with infrastructure as code using Terraform.
  • Experience in building and sustaining CI/CD pipelines on GitLab.
  • Knowledge of networking fundamentals (routing, firewalls, load balancers, DNS).

Responsibilities

  • Design and manage RHEL 8/9/10 environments and RKE2 Kubernetes clusters across AWS accounts.
  • Operate cluster control planes and manage node behavior for development to production environments.
  • Perform system hardening, patching, and performance tuning in an air-gapped setting.
  • Administer core services like CoreDNS, AWS Route 53, load balancing, and TLS management.
  • Architect and implement multi-VPC network setups with secure routing and security group configurations.
  • Implement infrastructure as code solutions using Terraform for repeatable deployments.
  • Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines on self-managed GitLab, integrating security scanning and policies.

Benefits

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance options.
  • 401(k) plan with company match.
  • Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance.
  • Professional development and training opportunities.
  • Generous paid time off policy.
  • Employee recognition programs.
Full Job Description
Salary Statement
Estimated Starting Salary Range: USD $132,250.00/Yr. - USD $220,400.00/Yr. Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Description
The Systems Automation Engineer architects, secures, and sustains a fully air-gapped, multi-account Kubernetes platform in AWS GovCloud, built on RHEL, RKE2, and self-managed GitLab. This role is built on an automation-first mindset infrastructure-as-code, one-shot repeatable deployments, CI/CD pipelines, and containerization to deliver highly scalable, resilient, and secure solutions in a disconnected environment. The engineer eliminates manual processes in favor of bundled, offline-reproducible deployments, embeds DevSecOps and zero-trust identity across the full system lifecycle, and operates the platform to meet NIST, RMF, STIG, and IL5/IL6/TS-SCI requirements. Platform & Infrastructure Engineering
  • Designing, deploying, and sustaining RHEL 8/9/10 environments and RKE2 Kubernetes clusters across multiple AWS accounts and VPCs
  • Operating the cluster control plane and per-environment agent pools (dev/test/staging/prod) with node labeling, taints, and workload isolation
  • Performing hardening, patching, and performance tuning in a disconnected environment using bundled RPM delivery (no upstream repos), SELinux, and host firewalls
  • Administering platform-native core services CoreDNS, AWS Route 53, ingress/load balancing, and certificate lifecycle (cert-manager / TLS secrets)
  • Designing HA/DR and resilience multi-node control planes, automated backup/restore of stateful workloads (PVCs, GitLab, databases), and failover across availability zones
Cloud & Network Engineering
  • Architecting and managing AWS GovCloud environments (EC2, S3, EBS, VPC, IAM, Route 53) across multiple accounts with cross-account roles, key pairs, and AMI strategy
  • Designing secure, scalable multi-VPC network architectures Transit Gateway meshes, subnets, routing, and CIDR-based security-group rules (cross-VPC SG references are not available in GovCloud)
  • Implementing all infrastructure as code with Terraform (reusable per-VPC modules, cross-account providers, programmatically rendered variables)
  • Standing up and operating an in-environment OCI/container registry and bootstrap services for offline image distribution
  • Optimizing cloud cost, performance, and availability through right-sizing, repeatable destroy/redeploy, and monitoring
DevSecOps & GitLab Platform
  • Building and sustaining CI/CD pipelines on self-managed GitLab EE, including version-ladder upgrades, the container registry, and auto-registered Kubernetes runners
  • Integrating DevSecOps container/image CVE scanning (e.g., Trivy, Grype, Clair), secrets management, and policy/gating in pipelines
  • Operating container build and delivery tooling (Docker/podman, kaniko, Helm) with helm-template-derived, air-gap-reproducible image bundles
  • Implementing GitOps delivery with ArgoCD (pull-based, per-app Applications, environment promotion and prod gating)
Automation & Air-Gap Delivery
  • Developing automation that eliminates manual intervention single-command, phase-driven deployments validated end-to-end before delivery
  • Engineering self-contained, offline deployment bundles (RPMs, OCI images, Helm charts, binaries) for reproducible installs in disconnected networks
  • Writing and maintaining automation in Ansible, Python, and Bash; automating provisioning, configuration management, and patching
  • Maintaining idempotent, resumable deploy/upgrade/teardown workflows
Identity, Security & Compliance
  • Implementing zero-trust identity and SSO with Keycloak (OIDC/SAML), federating platform services (GitLab, ArgoCD, monitoring, admin UIs) and supporting CAC/PIV X.509 smart-card authentication
  • Implementing system hardening in accordance with DISA STIGs and NIST baselines as automated, repeatable controls
  • Supporting RMF/ATO processes authoring control evidence, security documentation, POA&M items, and continuous-monitoring inputs
  • Implementing centralized logging, monitoring, and alerting (Elastic/SIEM, host/audit telemetry, and AWS-native sources where applicable)
  • Ensuring IL5/IL6/TS-SCI compliance through enforced security controls, secrets-at-rest protection, and system hardening
Observability, Operations & Support
  • Standing up and operating monitoring/observability (Prometheus, Grafana, node/cluster metrics) and vulnerability scanning (ACAS Tenable.sc/Nessus)
  • Monitoring system performance, availability, and capacity to ensure reliability and scalability
  • Troubleshooting complex, cross-component issues across the platform (networking, DNS, container runtime, registry, identity) to restore operations
  • Providing Tier III support and leading root-cause analysis to resolve issues and prevent recurrence
  • Maintaining architecture documentation, deployment guides, and standard operating procedures/runbooks

#LI-LH1

FILLING THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING

Requirements
  • Five plus years of experience in systems/infrastructure engineering with strong Linux (RHEL 8/9/10) depth
  • Five plus years of experience in DevSecOps, automation, and AWS cloud environments
  • Strong hands-on experience with AWS core services and multi-account/VPC networking
  • Production experience operating Kubernetes (RKE2 preferred) RBAC, ingress, Helm, troubleshooting
  • Experience with scripting/automation in Ansible, Python, and Bash
  • Hands-on experience with infrastructure as code (Terraform)
  • Experience building and sustaining CI/CD pipelines (GitLab)
  • Working knowledge of networking fundamentals (routing, host firewalls, load balancers, DNS)
  • Experience applying DISA STIG / NIST hardening and supporting RMF/ATO in DoD or regulated environments
Desired Skills
  • Experience with Kubernetes (RKE2, EKS, OpenShift, NKP, Rancher Federal, or similar)
  • Knowledge of zero-trust architecture and modern identity solutions
  • Experience with HashiCorp Vault, ArgoCD, or GitOps workflows, and service mesh technologies
  • Familiarity with monitoring tools (Prometheus, Grafana)
  • Experience in DoD or regulated environments (RMF, IL5/IL6/TS-SCI)
Clearance Information

SRC IS A CONTRACTOR FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THIS POSITION WILL REQUIRE U.S. CITIZENSHIP AS WELL AS, A U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITY CLEARANCE AT THE SECRET LEVEL WITH TOP SECRET / SCI ELIGIBILITY

Travel Requirements
  • Locally within US Space Command's Colorado Springs AOR. Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB and other locations in Colorado Springs (CO)
  • Up to two weeks per month to US Space Command facilities at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville (AL)

About Scientific Research Corporation

Scientific Research Corporation provides innovative solutions to the U.S. Government, private industry, and international markets. Scientific Research Corporation was founded in 1988 and was headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Scientific Research Corporation Careers

Joining Scientific Research Corporation means becoming part of a world-class team of professionals who are committed to pioneering scientific and technological innovations. This esteemed company offers a plethora of job opportunities that pave the way for personal and professional growth in numerous cutting-edge fields.

Explore Career Opportunities

Scientific Research Corporation is actively hiring and continually seeks talented individuals who are eager to drive innovation and lead in their respective fields. With a variety of positions available, candidates can find the perfect match for their skills and career ambitions.

Internship Programs

For those starting their career journey, Scientific Research Corporation provides robust internship programs designed to offer hands-on experience in a dynamic environment. Internships are a cornerstone of the company's commitment to nurturing new talent and fostering leadership skills among the future leaders of the industry.

Professional Growth and Development

At Scientific Research Corporation, the growth of its team members is a priority. The company supports career advancement through comprehensive professional development and diversity training programs. These initiatives ensure that every employee has the opportunity to excel and innovate within their roles.

Culture and Benefits

The culture at Scientific Research Corporation is built on a foundation of diversity and inclusion, where every team member’s contribution is valued. Employees enjoy a range of benefits designed to support their professional and personal lives, including competitive health benefits, retirement plans, and flexible working conditions.

Networking and Leadership

Employees at Scientific Research Corporation are encouraged to engage in networking opportunities within and beyond the company. This fosters a culture of collaboration and continuous learning. Leadership within the company is not just about guiding others but also about driving forward the mission of innovation and excellence.

Applying for a Position

To apply for a position at Scientific Research Corporation, candidates should prepare their resume to highlight relevant experience and skills. The interview process is designed to assess not only professional qualifications but also a candidate's alignment with the company’s values and culture.

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