Lead Deployment Engineer — DevSecOps / Site Reliability Engineer

Lead Deployment Engineer – DevSecOps / Site Reliability Engineer

Bridge Defense is redefining how modern defence technology is delivered. Based in Washington, D.C., we are built for the dynamic mission environment facing the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and federal law enforcement agencies. We provide full‑spectrum national security solutions that combine secure infrastructure, cleared talent, and mission‑ready software to meet evolving defence challenges. Our services include secure software development in classified environments and the design and implementation of advanced IT and cybersecurity capabilities ranging from secure cloud architectures and enterprise infrastructure to data center operations, scientific analysis, cutting‑edge cyber defence, and intelligence analysis.

We are led by technologists and veterans with firsthand mission experience, which enables us to understand both the operational realities and the innovation needed to succeed. Our approach is agile and outcome‑based, delivering results in weeks rather than months whenever possible.

At Bridge Defense we value people, integrity, and excellence. We foster an environment where innovation thrives in support of traditional mission requirements. Our team members receive competitive compensation, robust benefits, professional development and certification opportunities, and clear paths for growth while working on the nation’s most critical projects.

Core Values

• Innovation & Responsiveness: We push beyond legacy models with efficient, tech‑led solutions built to scale and evolve.
• Trusted Performance: Security, compliance, and deep experience in delivering to demanding environments guides all we do.
• Mission Focused Expertise: From veteran leadership to cleared engineers, our people understand both the technology and the mission.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the deployment engineering function as its first and founding engineer, setting standards for how Bridge Defense ships and operates software in accredited and high‑side environments.
• Own the full deployment lifecycle on top of our partners’ managed orchestration platforms (packaging, configuration, release, upgrade, and rollback) for both CodeBridge‑developed software and third‑party mission applications (TAK, TRAX, and others).
• Manage Kubernetes clusters, workload configuration, resource allocation, and namespace/tenancy across cloud, on‑premises, and multiple network enclaves with differing accreditation and connectivity constraints.
• Operate and maintain the availability of cloud and physical Linux infrastructure powering the platform in air‑gapped and high‑side production environments.
• Partner closely with CodeBridge engineers to make their software deploy and run reliably within the constraints of accredited, disconnected environments—advocating for sensible, scalable system design and shared ownership of production.
• Build and support CI/CD and configuration‑management workflows, and automate routine deployment and operational tasks wherever possible.
• Integrate security tooling into the deployment pipeline; run scans, triage findings, and remediate vulnerabilities.
• Diagnose, resolve, and prevent production issues; participate in and help define the on‑call model for the team.
• Produce and maintain body‑of‑evidence artifacts (System Security Plans, architecture diagrams) and keep architectures within the scope of a granted ATO.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Active U.S. security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
• Willingness to work onsite within secure government facilities.
• Willingness to travel to customer and partner locations.
• Strong Linux system administration experience (RHEL or equivalent).
• Hands‑on experience administering Kubernetes or OpenShift environments.
• Experience with Docker, Podman, or other container technologies.
• Experience operating cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP) and/or on‑premises environments.
• Experience building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines using GitLab CI, Jenkins, Helm, or equivalent technologies.
• Experience implementing Infrastructure as Code using Terraform or similar tools.
• Experience with monitoring and alerting platforms such as Prometheus, Alertmanager, Grafana, Splunk, or PagerDuty.
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity and compliance frameworks including FedRAMP, DoD SRG, IL5, FISMA, and NIST 800‑171.
• Proficiency in at least one programming or scripting language including Go, Java, Python, Bash, Groovy, Ruby, or similar.
• Minimum of four (4) years of Linux systems administration experience.
• Experience supporting production systems in accredited or regulated environments.
• Experience deploying and maintaining containerized applications at scale.
• Experience supporting mission‑critical production infrastructure.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience operating within air‑gapped, disconnected, or classified environments.
• Experience deploying and supporting third‑party mission applications such as TAK, TRAX, or similar operational software.
• Experience maintaining systems operating under an Authorization to Operate (ATO).
• Experience working on managed deployment or orchestration platforms.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with complex distributed systems.
• Demonstrated ability to automate repetitive operational tasks.
• Experience supporting startup or rapidly growing engineering organizations.
• Experience leading deployment or platform engineering initiatives.
• Experience establishing operational standards, processes, and technical documentation.
• Experience supporting government or Department of Defense cloud environments.

Preferred Certifications

• DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification or higher (Security+, CISSP, or equivalent).
• Linux+, RHCE, or other Unix/Linux administration certifications.

General Factors

• Must be able to sit/stand at a desk for long periods and occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to multi‑task and rapidly change priorities with limited notice.
• This position requires regular onsite work within secure government facilities.
• Depending on project requirements, may be required to work within a compressed schedule; overtime should be expected when schedules demand it.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%, if needed.
• No relocation assistance.

Compensation and Benefits

Anticipated Salary Range: $135,000.00 – $150,000 annually, depending on experience, technical skills, clearance level, and overall qualifications. Bridge Defense offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, paid holidays, life insurance and disability coverage.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Bridge Defense is an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, national origin or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you are a qualified disabled veteran or individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to use or access our online system, please contact us at .