Platform Site Lead - Forward Deployed Engineer

Clarity Innovations
Annapolis Junction, MD
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward technical leaders comfortable with live Linux system triage and deploying AI/LLM tooling into operational workflows, this role emphasizes a high level of domain expertise in national security and cyber operations, with a focus on infrastructure automation and team leadership.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 10+ years of experience leading technical teams in national security or defense environments
    — “Typically requires a University Degree (BA/BS) or equivalent experience and minimum 10 years of relevant experience.”
  • Individuals who thrive in dynamic, mission-critical environments with evolving technical demands
    — “No two days are alike and you will be expected to learn new best practices weekly.”
  • Professionals skilled in DevSecOps and infrastructure automation with a focus on secure, scalable systems
    — “utilizing advanced workflows, CI/CD, and secure DevSecOps practices.”

Things to consider

  • The role may involve working in a classified or restricted environment due to national security focus
    — “safeguarding our nation’s interests and delivering innovative solutions that empower the Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DoD)”
  • There is a potential for on-call responsibilities, given the emphasis on operational stability
    — “deploying emerging AI/LLM tooling directly into operational workflows.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in leading teams and implementing secure infrastructure automation practices
    — “Leads a technical capability team and contributes to the development and advancement of domain expertise within the organization.”
  • Showcase hands-on Linux troubleshooting and system triage experience in real-world scenarios
    — “Serve as the customer site lead providing technical platform engineering and infrastructure stability supporting high-complexity cyber operations.”
  • Demonstrate proficiency in Go and Python through tangible project examples, especially in security or automation contexts
    — “Go/Python development, Terraform infrastructure automation, Docker builds”
  • Emphasize knowledge of secure identity management systems like Authentik in your technical background
    — “identity management integration (Authentik)”
  • Include experience with network debugging tools such as WireGuard and packet analysis in your resume or interview preparation
    — “network/routing debugging (WireGuard, packet analysis)”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Leading a technical capability team
  • Contributing to the development and advancement of domain expertise within the organization
  • Guiding technical practices, standards, and workforce development within a specific capability area
  • Providing technical leadership to engineers and specialists
Typical background
University Degree (BA/BS) or equivalent experience and minimum 10 years of relevant experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Linux Systems & CLI TroubleshootingInfrastructure As Code (terraform / HCL)Go & Python Systems DevelopmentNetworking & Packet Analysis (tcp/ip, Routing, Wireguard)Containerization & Ci/cd (docker, Gitlab)

Preferred

Technical Team ManagementSecurity Engineering Fundamentals (pki, X509 Certificates, Least Privilege, Threat Modeling)Reverse Engineering / Vulnerability Research Basics (debuggers, Disassemblers, Binary Tracing)Kubernetes Cluster Deployment And Pod NetworkingDistributed System Resilience (retries, Idempotency, Failure Domain Handling)Automated Testing Harnesses (integration, Regression, And System Harness Development)

Stack & domain

Linux Systems & CLI TroubleshootingInfrastructure As Code (terraform / HCL)Go & Python Systems DevelopmentNetworking & Packet Analysis (tcp/ip, Routing, Wireguard)Containerization & Ci/cd (docker, Gitlab)National SecurityCyber OperationsData Structuring

About the role

Original posting from Clarity Innovations via Greenhouse

Clarity Innovations is a trusted national security partner, dedicated to safeguarding our nation’s interests and delivering innovative solutions that empower the Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DoD) to transform data into actionable intelligence, ensuring mission success in an evolving world.

Our mission-first software and data engineering platform modernizes data operations, utilizing advanced workflows, CI/CD, and secure DevSecOps practices. We focus on challenges in Information Warfare, Cyber Operations, Operational Security, and Data Structuring, enabling end-to-end solutions that drive operational impact.

We are committed to delivering cutting-edge tools and capabilities that address the most complex national security challenges, empowering our partners to stay ahead of emerging threats and ensuring the success of their critical missions. At Clarity, we are people-focused and set on being a destination employer for top talent, offering an environment where innovation thrives, careers grow, and individuals are valued. Join us as we continue to lead innovation and tackle the most pressing challenges in national security.

Position Summary

Serve as the customer site lead providing technical platform engineering and infrastructure stability supporting high-complexity cyber operations. You will be responsible for live Linux system triage, identity management integration (Authentik), Go/Python development, Terraform infrastructure automation, Docker builds, network/routing debugging (WireGuard, packet analysis), and deploying emerging AI/LLM tooling directly into operational workflows. No two days are alike and you will be expected to learn new best practices weekly and do what is required to make mission happen.

Role Expectations 

Serves as the site lead representing Clarity and leading a multi-functional team.

Typically requires a University Degree (BA/BS) or equivalent experience and minimum 10 years of relevant experience.

Leads a technical capability team and contributes to the development and advancement of domain expertise within the organization.

Guides technical practices, standards, and workforce development within a specific capability area.

Provides technical leadership to engineers and specialists while also contributing as an individual technical expert when needed.

Supports capability improvements and helps implement technical strategies aligned with mission needs.

Typically supervises experienced technical staff within a capability area.

Contract Specific Qualifications 

Linux Systems & CLI Troubleshooting  

Infrastructure as Code (Terraform / HCL)  

Go & Python Systems Development  

Networking & Packet Analysis (TCP/IP, Routing, WireGuard)  

Containerization & CI/CD (Docker, GitLab)

Nice to Haves 

Technical team management

Security engineering fundamentals (PKI, x509 certificates, least privilege, threat modeling)  

Reverse engineering / vulnerability research basics (debuggers, disassemblers, binary tracing)  

Kubernetes cluster deployment and pod networking  

Distributed system resilience (retries, idempotency, failure domain handling)  

Automated testing harnesses (integration, regression, and system harness development)   

Salary Range: $120,000 - $352,000

Pay Range

The posted pay range reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position and is provided to give candidates a general understanding of the compensation opportunity. The actual salary offered will be determined based on the requirements of the position and a variety of job-related factors, which may include geographic location, applicable Federal Government contract labor categories and wage rates, relevant experience, skills and competencies, education, certifications, and the scope and responsibilities of the role.

Because this position may be performed in multiple locations and may be subject to different contract requirements, the salary ultimately offered may vary based on the applicable location and contract. The posted range is not a guarantee of a specific starting salary or an indication that an offer will be made at any particular point within the range.

Total Rewards

In addition to competitive base pay, Clarity provides a Total Rewards package designed to attract and retain exceptional professionals committed to excellence. Our benefits reflect the value we place on skilled individuals who drive our impact in critical digital missions.

At Clarity, a career means joining a high-performing team advancing vital work in the digital landscape. We encourage you to consider the total value of joining us—competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and resources that support your growth and impact.

Our Total Rewards package includes performance-based bonuses, extensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan with company match, substantial paid time off and holidays, flexible work arrangements where possible, and a range of income protection benefits. We are committed to supporting your well-being, professional growth, and ability to contribute to essential digital missions.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Source: Clarity Innovations careers (Greenhouse)

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