Software Engineer SWE (Clearance Required)

Job TitleSenior Software Engineer (Level 3)Job DescriptionLocation: Fort Meade, MDClearance Required: Top Secret/SCI with Active Full Scope PolygraphWe are seeking a Senior Software Engineer (Level 3) to support a mission-critical program within the Intelligence Community at Fort Meade, MD. This is an on-site SCIF position requiring a TS/SCI clearance with an active Full Scope Polygraph prior to consideration.The SWE Level 3 is a senior engineer capable of designing, implementing, and improving distributed application orchestration logic across a Kubernetes-native platform in a classified environment. This role carries architectural authority and mentorship responsibility: the successful candidate will lead the development of reusable Helm charts, GitOps templates, and deployment strategies; contribute to platform-wide architecture decisions; and guide junior engineers through design decisions and tradeoffs.Key ResponsibilitiesDistributed Application Orchestration and Kubernetes PlatformDesign scalable workflows for deploying and managing Kubernetes-native applications including multi-tenant and multi-cluster configurationsLead development of reusable Helm charts, GitOps templates, and deployment strategiesBuild system-aware controllers or agents that automate application lifecycle tasksContribute to platform-wide architecture decisions including deployment strategy, multi-cluster config, and observabilityEvent-Driven and Agent-Based SystemsDesign and implement event-driven architectures using Kafka, controller patterns, or equivalent technologiesBuild and maintain custom Kubernetes controllers and operators using Go or PythonEnsure event-driven systems meet reliability and security requirements for classified operationsInfrastructure Automation and DevOpsImplement infrastructure-as-code using Terraform, cloud-init, Ansible, or equivalent toolingSupport GitOps pipeline design using ArgoCD, Fleet, or equivalentCollaborate with DevOps and platform teams to ensure secure, compliant deploymentsContribute to CI/CD pipeline design and code review standardsLeadership and MentorshipMentor junior and mid-level engineers; conduct code reviews for reliability and securityGuide the team through design decisions and engineering tradeoffsHelp shape internal standards, shared tooling, and reusable component frameworksThink in systems, not just services: evaluate cross-cutting concerns in all designsSecurity-Compliant DeploymentsEnsure containerized deployments adhere to DISA STIGs and program security policiesBalance automation and operator oversight in classified environmentsSupport secure secrets management and certificate lifecycle integration in KubernetesQualificationsEducation: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.

Equivalent experience may be substituted.Experience: 8+ years of software engineering experience, with majority in cloud-native, Kubernetes-based, or distributed systems contexts.Additional Required Qualifications:Active TS/SCI clearance with Full Scope Polygraph - must be active prior to startDeep experience coding in Go and/or Python in cloud-native contextsStrong Kubernetes expertise: CRDs, Helm, GitOps, multi-tenant deploymentsExperience with event-driven or agent-based systems (Kafka, controller patterns)Familiarity with infrastructure automation (Terraform, Ansible)Demonstrated end-to-end system component delivery ownershipProven mentorship and technical leadership capabilityComfortable balancing automation with operator oversight in classified environmentsDesired SkillsTypeScript for frontend or tooling developmentOpenShift or Rancher Government Solutions in air-gapped deploymentsService mesh technologies (Istio, Linkerd)Observability tooling: Prometheus, Grafana, OpenTelemetryAWS GovCloud, C2S/SC2S classified cloud experienceCross-domain solution (CDS) experienceDoD 8140 IASAE Level II or III (CASP+, CISSP)Your recruiter will be happy to walk you through your U.S.-specific benefits, which include:Healthcare Coverage: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.Time Off and Leave Policies: Generous paid time off (PTO), paid company holidays, generous parental and family leave.Protective Insurances: Life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, and accident protection.Compensation and Rewards: Competitive salary structures, performance-based incentives, and merit-based compensation reviews.Retirement Plans: 401(k) plans with company matching.Please note that benefits may vary by region, department and role. We encourage you to speak with your recruiter to learn more about the specific benefits available for your position.About KrollJoin the global leader in risk and financial advisory solutions—Kroll. With a nearly century-long legacy, we blend trusted expertise with cutting-edge technology to navigate and redefine industry complexities.

As a part of One Team, One Kroll, you'll contribute to a collaborative and empowering environment, propelling your career to new heights. Ready to build, protect, restore and maximize our clients' value? Your journey begins with Kroll.In order to be considered for a position, you must formally apply via careers.kroll.com.We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants regardless of gender, gender identity, race, religion, color, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, age or disability.The current salary range for this position is $100,000 to $150,000