Senior Software Engineer

Clarity Innovations
Columbia, MD

Who this role is best for

Best suited to candidates with experience in DevOps and infrastructure engineering working in the national security domain.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 2+ years of experience in DevOps or platform engineering in the Cyber Operations domain
    — “minimum of 2 years of full time industry experience and a bachelors degree”
  • Individuals with strong background in secure DevOps and container orchestration
    — “implementing GitOps workflows for version-controlled and automated operations”
  • Professionals who are comfortable with high-trust environments and can work independently
    — “collaborate as a team but execute independently”

Things to consider

  • Requires a counterintelligence polygraph within six months after hire
    — “counterintelligence polygraph within six months after hire”
  • Hybrid work arrangement may require more onsite time depending on customer needs
    — “expected 2-3 days onsite on an 'as needed' basis”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with Kubernetes and Terraform in your resume and interview responses
    — “Proficient with container orchestration using Kubernetes”
  • Demonstrate your ability to design scalable systems architecture in your portfolio or past projects
    — “Participate and lead design and architecture of back-end systems”
  • Emphasize your hands-on experience with Docker and Linux-based development environments
    — “Proficient in containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Podman)”
  • Showcase your ability to deliver working products on time and prioritize user requirements
    — “always driving towards a working product on-time”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

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

What success looks like

  • participates and leads design and architecture of back-end systems
  • deploys and maintains a robust and high-quality platform
  • limits and resources tests the platform
  • facilitates delivery and deployment of the platform
Typical background
2-5 years of software engineering experienceproficient in containerization technologiesproficient with container orchestration using Kubernetes

Skills & requirements

Required

Cloud-native InfrastructureKubernetesDockerInfrastructure-as-codeLinuxSystem ArchitectureOn-premises System TroubleshootingCollaborationHigh-trust Team EnvironmentSystem Architecture And Design

Preferred

PythonGo

Stack & domain

Containerization TechnologiesDockerPodmanContainer OrchestrationKubernetesInfrastructure-as-code ToolsTerraformLinux-based Development EnvironmentsSystem ArchitectureOn-premises System TroubleshootingCollaborationTeamworkIndependent ExecutionHigh-trust EnvironmentAdaptabilityNational SecurityCyberspace OperationsInformation WarfareCyber OperationsOperational SecurityData 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 Overview

The Software Engineer position is part of a dynamic team at the forefront of implementing infrastructure designs to support the next generation of cyberspace operations.  This role presents unique opportunities to iterate, streamline, and scale your platform’s capabilities to meet the demand for broad deployment and exceptional flexibility.  In this role, your team will implement a platform that simplifies complex infrastructure management across a mix of cloud-native and on-premises environments.  Your work will involve scalable systems architecture; implementing GitOps workflows for version-controlled and automated operations; and creating and leveraging tools and processes that bridge the gap between development and operations while simultaneously enhancing productivity and reliability across diverse infrastructure settings.

Key Responsibilities

Participate and lead design and architecture of back-end systems

Deploy and maintain a robust and high-quality platform, putting the user’s requirements first and  always driving towards a working product on-time 

Limit and resource test the platform

Facilitate delivery and deployment of the platform

Qualifications

Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance (note, only US Citizens are eligible for security clearances) with CI polygraph

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline (degree requirement can be met with four years of hands on experience in a software engineer or similar full time position)

Must be able to demonstrate the ability to deploy, maintain, and monitor hardware, docker containers, and Kubernetes clusters with limited supervision - this is typically achieved after a minimum of 2 years of full time industry experience and a bachelors degree

Proficient in containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Podman)

Proficient with container orchestration using Kubernetes

Proficient with Infrastructure-as-Code tools (Terraform preferred)

Comfortable and proficient in Linux-based development environments

Ability to collaborate as a team but execute independently

Comfortable in a high-trust, adaptable, team environment

Proficient in system architecture and design

Proficient in on-premises system troubleshooting

Proficient with source code management tools like Git, GitHub or GitLab

Preferred Qualifications

Active US TS/SCI security clearance with CI polygraph or higher

More than 5 years of industry experience in a platform engineering, DevOps or similar role in the Cyber Operation Domain

Experience communicating with customers and end-users

Location and Clearance

This is a hybrid position with an expected 2-3 days onsite on an "as needed" basis with no minimum required time. Clarity Innovations strives to set consistent expectations and ensure a flexible and healthy work-life balance, but due to the position's nature and emergent customer needs, some weeks may exceed 2-3 days and others may require no onsite work.

This position is available in both Herndon, VA or Columbia, MD, and will require a counterintelligence polygraph within six months after hire. Candidates desiring to be based out of Fort Meade will require a counterintelligence polygraph prior to hiring.

Senior Software Engineer$102,200—$173,700 USDPay Range

The posted pay range reflects the national 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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